Medicare Part A is often called your hospital coverage. It primarily helps pay for inpatient care and other medically necessary services provided in a facility setting. While Part A covers hospital facility charges, keep in mind that doctors who treat you in the hospital usually bill separately under Medicare Part B.

Here’s what’s generally covered under Part A:

• Inpatient hospital care – Includes your room, meals, general nursing, and other hospital services and supplies during an admitted stay.

• Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care – Covers short-term rehab after a hospital stay if you need skilled nursing or therapy services.

• Nursing home care – Only covered when skilled nursing care is medically necessary. Custodial care (help with activities of daily living like bathing or eating) is not covered, even if provided in a nursing home.

• Hospice care – If you’re terminally ill and forgo curative treatment, Part A covers hospice services focused on comfort and quality of life.

• Home health services – May be covered for a limited time if you need skilled care and are homebound.

💡Important: Medicare does not pay for long-term custodial care, whether in a facility or at home. This includes help with day-to-day tasks unless skilled care is also needed.