How much does Part A cost?
Most people pay $0 because they paid Medicare taxes while working for at least 10 years. This is sometimes called “premium-free Part A.”
For those who have not worked the minimum 40 quarters you can pay for Part A. In 2022 it is $274 for 30-39 worked quarters and $499 for less than 30 worked quarters. You also need to be a green card holder or legal resident for at least 5 years.
What does Part A Cover?
Medicare Part A helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care. It covers a semi-private room and meals at a hospital. Part A also covers RX that are given to you in the hospital as well as labs and medical supplies.
Inpatient care may be received at:
- Acute Care Hospital
- Critical Access Hospital
- Inpatient rehabilitation facility
- Mental healthcare Hospital
You are covered up to 90 days each benefit period in a general hospital, plus 60 lifetime reserve days. Medicare also covers up to 190 lifetime days in a Medicare-certified psychiatric hospital.
Our service is free.
All you pay for is the premiums, which are the same with or without our help.
Is there a Deductible?
Yes, in 2022 the Part A deductible is $1556. This is not an annual deductible, but a benefit period deductible. A benefit period begins the day you are admitted in a hospital and ends when you have been out for 60 consecutive days. If you then are admitted back into the hospital after 60 days, a new benefit period would begin and you would pay another deductible. It is possible to have to pay a Part A deductible multiple times in a year.
What other services do I pay for under Part A at an inpatient hospital?
- $1,556 deductible for each benefit period
- Days 1-60: $0 coinsurance for each benefit period
- Days 61-90: $389 coinsurance per day of each benefit period
- Days 91 and beyond: $778 coinsurance per each “lifetime reserve day” after day 90 for each benefit period (up to 60 days over your lifetime)
- Beyond lifetime reserve days: all costs
How much do I pay for a skilled nursing facility?
Medicare Part A will cover up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility. To qualify, you must have spent at least 3 consecutive days as a hospital inpatient within 30 days of admission and need skilled nursing or therapy services.
In 2022 you will pay:
- Days 1–20: $0 per day.
- Days 21–100: Up to $194.50 per day.
- Days 101 and beyond: all costs
How much do I pay for Hospice Care Services?
Hospice is covered for $0 under Medicare Part A. Sometimes you may need to pay $5 for each pain relief RX under Part A. In some situations Part A does not cover the prescription needed and you may need to run it under your Part D plan.
Hospice respite care can be covered however in general Medicare does not cover hospice room and board.
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