

If you go to the hospital and your stay doesn’t meet the requirements of an “inpatient stay,” you usually need Part B for Medicare to provide coverage. Part A covers qualifying hospital visits Part B, rather than Part A, covers doctors’ services at the hospital, much like Part B covers non-emergency visits to your doctor’s office. Medicare literature on what qualifies as a covered stay states, “An inpatient admission is generally appropriate for payment under Medicare Part A when you’re expected to need 2 or more midnights of medically necessary hospital care, but your doctor must order this admission and the hospital must formally admit you for you to become an inpatient.” Does Medicare Part A Cover Doctor Visits? Personal care items (like razors or slipper socks).īeing surprised that a couple of items on your bill aren’t covered by Part A is one thing discovering that the stay isn’t covered by Part A at all is quite another thing.Television and phone in your room (if there’s a separate charge for these items).A private room (unless medically necessary).What is Not Covered Under Medicare Part A?Įven in the case of an inpatient stay that Medicare Part A covers, Part A won’t cover: What does Medicare Part A cover and not cover based on your status as a patient? If, for example, you need chemotherapy, Part A will cover it if it’s administered as a part of an inpatient hospital stay if it’s done on an outpatient basis, Part A won’t cover it (but Part B will). Īs a part of treatment in Medicare-approved facilities, Medicare Part A covers meals, general nursing and drugs that are part of your inpatient treatment as well as surgery and lab tests. Short-term care in a skilled nursing facility or nursing home may also be covered by Medicare Part A if it’s a doctor-approved treatment for a medical condition stemming from an inpatient hospital stay.

Some home health care is covered as well. Regardless of the facility used, hospice care is covered by Medicare Part A if you are terminally ill and accept palliative care for comfort instead of treatment for your illness.

