What is Medicare Part A?

Medicare Part A is the first half of Original Medicare (the other half being Medicare Part B). Medicare Part A deals with hospitalization benefits, so anytime you’re admitted to a hospital (and it’s not an observation visit), it will be covered under Medicare Part A. Observation visits, because they’re not a formal hospital admission, will be billed under Medicare Part B, which covers medical services and care received when you’re not hospitalized. Check with your doctor to see if you’re being formally admitted or just being observed to understand how you might be billed.

Who is eligible for Part A?

Every quarter that you’re employed full-time, you pay into the Medicare fund through payroll taxes. After you have worked 30-40 tax-quarters (or, paid into Medicare for approximately 10 years), you will be eligible for Part A, to a certain degree. If you immigrated here or worked fewer than 30 tax-quarters, you can still buy into Medicare Part A by paying a monthly premium. Please check costs below.

What is covered under Part A?

Medicare Part A covers your hospitalization. When you’re hospitalized and on Original Medicare, you will have to pay a Part A deductible and coinsurance. If you have one of the most popular Medicare Supplement or Medigap plans (F, G or N), they will pay both of those for you. If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part C plan, it will replace Original Medicare with its own set of deductible and coinsurance amounts.

How much does Part A cost?

After working and paying into Medicare payroll taxes for at least 40 tax-quarters, most people qualify for Part A’s hospitalization benefit without having to pay a monthly premium. Seniors who haven’t paid enough payroll taxes into the Medicare fund will receive a notice that they need to pay a premium for Part A coverage. If you want to buy Part A, you’ll pay up to $437 per month in premium. If you paid Medicare taxes for fewer than 30 tax-quarters, the standard Part A premium is $437 per month If you paid Medicare taxes for 30-39 tax-quarters, the standard Part A premium is $240 per month (in 2019).

When can I enroll in Part A?

You are automatically eligible to enroll in Part A when you reach age 65. Because most people paid into the Medicare fund through their payroll taxes, they don’t have to pay an additional premium to enroll. See exceptions above.

How do I enroll in Part A?

Enrolling in Part A is simple and quick. You have a few options: visit your local social security office to apply, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or go online and complete an electronic enrollment. Once you enroll and get your effective date, you can start shopping for Medicare Supplement or Advantage plans to take care of the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover.