What is Medicare Part A and how do I qualify for it?
What is Medicare Part A and how do I qualify for it?
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) helps pay for inpatient hospital care, hospice care, and skilled in-home health care services for housebound patients. If a patient is receiving short-term inpatient care for rehabilitation in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare Part A also helps with the cost.
With a few exceptions (certain people receiving Social Security disability benefits and those requiring transplant or dialysis for end-stage kidney disease), you would qualify at age 65.
Most of the funding for Medicare Part A comes from the Medicare payroll tax. If you or your spouse have paid that tax for 40 quarters (10 years) you qualify for Medicare Part A without a monthly premium. People who do not have the required work history can purchase Medicare Part A coverage at age 65, by paying a monthly premium.