What does Medicare Part A primarily cover?

Medicare Part A primarily covers hospital services, which includes inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. This coverage is designed to help individuals access essential medical services when they require admission to a hospital or need extended medical assistance that cannot be provided at home.

The focus of Part A is on care that requires a higher level of medical attention than what outpatient facilities can provide. By covering the costs associated with hospital stays and certain types of skilled nursing care, Medicare Part A plays a critical role in ensuring that seniors and certain younger individuals with disabilities receive necessary health care without facing prohibitive costs.

While there are other parts of Medicare that cover different needs—like outpatient services or prescription drugs—Medicare Part A specifically targets inpatient hospital expenses and related services, establishing it as a cornerstone of essential health coverage for those enrolled in the program.