Program Basics
Medicare Part A
Quick answer
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying stay, home health care, and hospice. Most people get Part A premium-free at 65.
Plain-English definition
Part A eligibility is based on the payroll taxes you or a spouse paid while working. Part A has its own deductible per benefit period and daily coinsurance for long stays.
Why it matters
Part A is the hospital half of Original Medicare and required to enroll in most Medicare Advantage or Medigap plans.
A simple example
You spend 4 nights in the hospital. Part A pays after you meet the Part A deductible for that benefit period.
Common mistakes & misconceptions
- Assuming Part A covers long-term custodial nursing home care — it doesn't.
- Delaying Part A when you have HSA contributions — enrollment stops HSA contributions.
Related terms
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B is the medical insurance half of Original Medicare. It covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive screenings, mental health services, and durable medical equipment.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare is the traditional fee-for-service program run directly by the federal government. It includes Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) and lets you use any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare.
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) provides short-term rehab and skilled care after a qualifying hospital stay. Under Original Medicare, Part A covers up to 100 days of SNF care per benefit period with cost-sharing after day 20.
Hospice
Hospice is comfort-focused care for people with a terminal diagnosis and a life expectancy of 6 months or less. It's covered under Part A, at little or no cost to the beneficiary.
Frequently asked questions
Is Part A really free?+
It's premium-free if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters).
People also ask
Does Part A cover surgery?
It covers the inpatient hospital costs of surgery. Surgeon fees are billed under Part B.
Sources & references
📚 Where this information comes from
- Medicare.gov — official U.S. government site for people with Medicare ↗Primary source for benefits, enrollment periods, and plan comparison.
- CMS.gov — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ↗Federal rulemaking, program updates, and official guidance.
- Social Security Administration — Medicare enrollment & premiums ↗Enrollment, premium withholding, and IRMAA determinations.
When you're ready, compare plans on your own terms
See Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, or walk the course with a licensed agent whenever you'd like a second set of eyes.
We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.
Medicare Caddies is an independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.