Medicare Guide

Medicare Part A is your hospital coverage. When you apply to Medicare, you are automatically enrolled in Part A. This part will cover your inpatient hospital stays and nursing care. While doctor’s fees do not fall under your Medicare Part A coverage, some health services do. For instance, Part A will cover some home health services, skilled nursing after a hospital stay and hospice care.

During your hospital stay, Part A will cover testing, supplies, meals, and a semi-private room. As long as it is deemed medically necessary, Medicare Part A will cover physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Medical equipment like walkers and wheelchairs used inside a nursing home are also covered under Part A.
Many people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A. If you are, then you will receive your red, white and blue Medicare card in the mail either 3 months before your 65th birthday or after 25 months of disability.

Some people do need to sign up for Medicare Part A, however. If the following situations apply to you, then you will have to sign up for Medicare Part A on your own.

You are not receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits.
This can occur if you are still working.
You qualify for Medicare because you are in End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
You want to sign up for Part B and live in Puerto Rico.
You must already have Part A to apply for Part B.
Since Medicare Part A is funded using payroll taxes, you generally do not need to pay a monthly premium. Part A will cover around 80% of your inpatient costs during the first 60 days of hospital stay. After that period of time, you will have to pay a share of the costs. Supplemental insurance plans come into play here.