Medicare Part A: Inpatient Hospital Insurance

Think of Part A as your “room and board” when you are admitted to the hospital.

What It Covers

• Inpatient Hospital Care: Pays for a semi-private hospital room, meals, regular nursing care, medications furnished during an inpatient stay, lab services, and medical supplies.
• Eligibility Rules: To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident for at least five consecutive years, and meet one of these criteria:
  Be over age 65 and eligible for Social Security.
  Be permanently disabled and receiving Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months (which then qualifies you for a Part C plan in South Carolina).
  Have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis or a transplant (requires manual sign-up).

What You Should Know

If you are already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, enrollment in Part A is automatic on the first day of the month you turn 65. If you are still working and not receiving retirement benefits, enrollment is not automatic, and you must sign up manually.

Financial Note: Before Medicare Part A pays for your care, you must first satisfy the Part A deductible.