What is Medicare Part A?

Medicare Part A is a section of the United State's medical program for people at least 65 years old. Medicare is available to people of retirement age who need help paying for medical care that they would be otherwise unable to afford. It should not be mistaken for Medicaid, which is for people of any age who cannot afford to pay for their own medical care.

Part A deals specifically with hospital stays, hospice services, or other types of professional nursing services. There are other sections of the plan that give coverage for routine doctor visits.

Any type of required hospital stay or necessary nursing care in the home can be covered under this section of the Medicare plan. This can include hospice services or other types of nursing facilities commonly used for recovery after a hospital stay.

Applying for coverage under Medicare part A does not immediately make someone eligible for another part of the plan, but usually those who qualify for one section will also obtain coverage under other sections. Remember, part A does not pay for any type of routine care.

The basic eligibility requirements demand that you be a U. S. Citizen or permanent resident who has reached the age of 65.

Coverage under this program is earned through years of working in the country and paying into the Social Security fund. Once retirement age is reached, these workers are then eligible for coverage under the Medicare plan. Also, government workers who work for a number of years while Social Security is being paid into may be able to get their spouses or immediate family members covered under Medicare as well.

Medicare Part A deals with people who are sick or disabled and need more substantial care. The appropriate time to apply is 3 months prior to turning 65 years old.