Medicare is a type of health insurance that was created by the government to help cover medical bills for
citizens who meet certain requirements. Medicare Part A, part of the Original Medicare, is a government
funded hospital insurance that covers in patient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and Religious
Nonmedical Health Care Institutions; hospice care services; and home health services.

Who Can Get Medicare Part A?

       Citizens over 65
       Citizens under 65 with certain disabilities
       Citizens with End-Stage Renal Disease

How Much Does Part A Cost?

If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while you were working, you typically don’t have to pay a
premium for Part A coverage.

You may be able to purchase Medicare Part A coverage if you are over 65 and meet the citizenship
requirement. If you are under 65, you must be disabled and can no longer obtain Part A Medicare
coverage for free because you’ve returned to work. The premium for Part A coverage could be as much
as $443 per month. If you purchase Part A Medicare Insurance, you typically must also purchase
Medicare Part B.

When Can I Enroll in Part A?

You can automatically get Medicare Part A coverage on the first day of the
month you turn 65 if you also receive benefits from Social Security or the
Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Your Medicare card will come in the mail
3 months before your 65th birthday.

On the other hand, if you are under 65 and you are disabled, you will
automatically receive Part A once you’ve received Social Security disability
benefits or certain RRB benefits for 24 months. Your Medicare card will come
in the mail on your 25th month of disability. An exception is made for those
with Amyothrophic Later Sclerosis, who automatically receive Part A the
same month that disability benefits start.

You might have to sign up for Part A, even if you are eligible to receive it for
free. If, for any reason, you’re not receiving Social Security or RRB benefits,
you should contact Social Security (or the RRB if you worked for a railroad) 3
months before your 65th birthday to sign up.

How to Purchase Part A

You can purchase Medicare Part A if you aren’t eligible to receive it for free
during these times:

    During the initial enrollment period, from 3 months before you turn 65
       up to 3 months after you turn 65.
    During the general enrollment period. Between January 1 and March
       31 each year. This is the general enrollment period.

You should sign up when you are first eligible for Medicare Part A to avoid a
penalty increase on your premium with two exceptions.

1.        If you waited to enroll in Medicare because you or your spouse
          were enrolled in an employer’s group health plan, you have 8 months
          after employment ended or the plan ended to enroll.

2.        If you were an international volunteer, you have 6 months after your assignment ends to enroll.

What Does Medicare Part A Cover

    The cost of a blood transfusion if the hospital must purchase blood for you.
    Medically-necessary part-time nursing care or physical therapy, speech-language pathology, or
       occupational therapy.
    Hospice care for those with a life expectancy of 6 months or less due to a terminal illness.
    Hospital stay in a semi-private room. This includes meals, general nursing, drugs, and other
       hospital suppliers.
    Up to 100 days each benefit period in a skilled nursing facility care including a semi-private
       room, meals, skilled nursing, rehabilitative services, and other services.

What’s Not Covered By Part A

       Acupuncture
       Cosmetic surgery
       Custodial care
       Most dental care and dentures
       Routine eye exams, eye refractions, and most eyeglasses
       Routine foot care
       Hearing aids and exams
       Long-term care
       Routine or annual physical exams
       Most prescription drugs
       Syringes or insulin
       Travel

You can find out more information about Medicare Part A by contacting your local Social Security office
or by visiting www.medicare.gov.

This article was submitted by Robert Valentine of Financial and Retirement Management.Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His articles on financial planning matters that concern investors have been published by several publications throughout the United States.