Which Medicare Part Covers Inpatient Hospital Care Costs

Medicare Part A is the clear choice for covering inpatient hospital care costs. It's designed to provide coverage for hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and some home health care.

Medicare Part A is usually free for most people, as it's often covered by Social Security taxes paid during their working years. This means you can enjoy inpatient hospital care without worrying about the cost.

Medicare Part A has a deductible, which is currently $1,556 per benefit period. This deductible applies to the first 60 days of hospitalization and must be paid by the patient.

Medicare Part A also has a coinsurance requirement, which is $0 per day for days 1-60, but $389 per day for days 61-90, and $778 per day for days 91 and beyond.

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Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, including those in a skilled nursing facility or psychiatric hospital. This coverage includes a semiprivate room, meals, general nursing care, and other hospital services deemed necessary for inpatient treatment.

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For inpatient hospital stays, you won't pay a thing for the first 60 days of covered care each benefit period after paying the deductible. You'll pay $400 a day for days 61 to 90 and $800 a day for up to 60 lifetime reserve days.

Medicare Part A also covers skilled nursing home services, home healthcare, and hospice care. However, it doesn't cover a private room unless medically necessary, private-duty nursing, or personal care items like razors or slippers.

Here's a breakdown of what you'll pay for inpatient hospital costs:

Keep in mind that these costs are subject to change, and it's always a good idea to check with your insurance provider for the most up-to-date information.

Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C, provide health insurance managed by private companies. These plans must offer the same coverage as Original Medicare, except for hospice care, which is still covered by Original Medicare.

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Most Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits, such as prescription drug coverage and fitness programs. Coverage and costs vary depending on the plan.

If you're admitted to a hospital, Medicare Part A covers most hospital services, including a semiprivate room and meals. Inpatient rehabilitation services are also covered.

You pay nothing additional for the first 60 days of covered inpatient care each benefit period, after paying the $1,600 Part A deductible in 2023, which rises to $1,632 in 2024. For days 61 to 90, you pay $400 a day in 2023, increasing to $408 in 2024.

Here's a breakdown of your costs under Part A:

Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, including skilled nursing facility or psychiatric hospital stays. It also covers some home health services and hospice services.

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Inpatient hospital care can be a complex and costly experience. You'll be responsible for paying a portion of the costs, known as coinsurance, for each day you're in the hospital beyond 60 days in each benefit period.

The Medicare program uses a cost-sharing model to help control costs and utilization. Your out-of-pocket costs may include monthly premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance or copayments. For Medicare Part A, the deductible is $1,600 for each benefit period in 2023, which rises to $1,632 in 2024.

You won't pay anything additional for the first 60 days of covered inpatient care each benefit period after you pay the deductible. However, if you stay in the hospital beyond 60 days, you'll pay $400 a day for days 61 to 90 for each benefit period in 2023, increasing to $408 in 2024.

For up to 60 lifetime reserve days, you'll pay $800 a day in 2023; $816 in 2024. Each lifetime reserve day can be used only once but can apply to different benefit periods. If you use up your lifetime reserve days, you'll be responsible for all costs beyond 90 days per benefit period.

Here's a breakdown of your costs under Part A:

If you buy a Medicare supplement policy, known as Medigap, or have other coverage like retiree health insurance, that supplemental policy may cover the Part A deductible and hospital coinsurance and also allow for additional lifetime reserve days.

To be eligible for Medicare coverage of inpatient hospital charges, you must be at least 65 years old, or have a disability, or have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital charges, including semi-private rooms, meals, and general nursing care.

Medicare Part A also covers hospital services such as laboratory tests, X-rays, and other diagnostic tests, as long as they are ordered by a doctor and are deemed medically necessary.

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A benefit period is the time frame during which you're eligible for certain benefits, and it starts the day you're admitted to a hospital as an inpatient or become a patient in a skilled nursing facility.

It ends after 60 consecutive days of being out of the hospital or skilled nursing facility.

You need to be an inpatient, not under observation or in an outpatient surgery center, to count towards this time frame.

The hospital can clarify your status while you're there.

You pay a single deductible per benefit period, even if you have multiple hospital stays during that time.

However, you can pay more than one deductible in a calendar year, which is different from some private insurance plans.

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Most people become eligible for Medicare Part A coverage once they reach 65 years of age.

To be eligible, you must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

People collecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits for at least 24 months due to a disability are also eligible.

If you have ALS, you can receive Medicare Part A the first month after qualifying for SSDI benefits.

The rules for people with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are more complicated.

You'll start receiving coverage after the third month following the start of dialysis, unless you've completed self-dialysis training, in which case coverage begins during the first month.

A kidney transplant or hospitalization to prepare for one can also trigger coverage.

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