Part A of Medicare is what?

• A. Medicare Advantage
• B. Supplemental Medical Insurance (SMI)
• C. Prescription Drug Coverage
• D. Hospital Insurance

Answer: (D)

Part A is hospital insurance. It mainly helps pay for inpatient care needed in a hospital. Specifically, it covers inpatient hospital stays, inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility after a qualifying hospital stay, hospice care, and some home health services. Most people who paid Medicare taxes while working long enough qualify for premium-free Part A, though there can be deductibles for hospital stays and coinsurance after a certain number of days. It’s important to remember that Part A doesn’t cover outpatient services, doctor visits, or prescription drugs, which are handled by other parts: outpatient care and doctor services are covered by Part B (Supplemental Medical Insurance); private plans that combine Parts A and B are Medicare Advantage (Part C); and prescription drug coverage is Part D.