Medicare Part A Plan

The Medicare Part A Plan is the first of four plans offered by Medicare. Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B are offered through Medicare and are referred to as original Medicare while Parts C & D are offered through insurance companies.

Part A is the basic plan and is generally at no cost to the beneficiary. It is at no cost because the Medicare beneficiary or spouse paid taxes while working and have accumulated the necessary 40 quarters, or 10 years, in order to receive Part A without paying a premium.

Part A is generally called the Medicare hospital insurance because it covers inpatient hospital care. It also covers skilled nursing facility care, home healthcare, hospice care, physical, occupational and speech therapy, semi private room and medical supplies and drugs during an inpatient hospital stay. These benefits have a 90 day limit per benefit period and 60 lifetime reserve days.

Part A requires the beneficiary to pay a deductible and coinsurance. The dollar amount of the deductibles and coinsurance change each year so it is advisable for all beneficiaries to stay on top of their required payment options. Probably the easiest way to stay informed is to go to Medicare.gov and get the latest published information.

Mental hospitals approved by Medicare are covered under Part A as is any other Medicare approved hospital. Part A also applies to treatment for alcoholism and drug dependency.

As you might expect, the same deductibles and co-payments as inpatient hospital care apply to alcoholism and drug treatment stays. Medicare limits treatment for alcohol and drug treatment to a 190 day lifetime maximum limit. If a person uses their maximum, Medicare will not pay for any additional treatment.

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