Does Medicare Part A pay for everything?

Asked by: Dr. Augustus Waelchi Jr.  |  Last update: August 12, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (9 votes)

In general, Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient care you get in hospitals, critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care.

What does Medicare Part A not pay for?

Generally, most vision, dental and hearing services are not covered by Medicare Parts A and B. Other services not covered by Medicare Parts A and B include: Routine physical exams. Cosmetic surgery.

Does Medicare Part A cover 100%?

After you pay the Part A deductible, Medicare pays the full cost of covered hospital services for the first 60 days of each benefit period when you're an inpatient, which means you're admitted to the hospital and not for observational care. Part A also pays a portion of the costs for longer hospital stays.

What expenses does Medicare Part A cover?

Part A covers inpatient care, skilled nursing services, some home health and rehabilitation costs, and hospice care. However, it does not cover doctor fees during a hospital stay, as Part B covers those costs. Together, parts A and B are known as Original Medicare.

What does Medicare Part A Help pay for?

Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Part A helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care.

Here's How Much We Paid With Medicare | Medicare Supplement vs Advantage

44 related questions found

Does Medicare Part A pay anything?

In general, Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient care you get in hospitals, critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care.

Is Medicare Part A free at age 65?

Premium-Free Medicare Part A Based on Age

To be eligible for premium-free Part A on the basis of age: A person must be age 65 or older; and. Be eligible for monthly Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) cash benefits.

What services are not covered by Part A of Medicare?

Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
  • Eye exams (for prescription eyeglasses)
  • Long-term care.
  • Cosmetic surgery.
  • Massage therapy.
  • Routine physical exams.
  • Hearing aids and exams for fitting them.

Does Medicare Part A pay for surgery?

Summary: The cost of hospital care can be daunting. Fortunately, if you have Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), it generally covers inpatient surgery. Medicare Part B (medical insurance) may also cover some services while you're an inpatient.

Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?

Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.

Does Medicare Part A pay for doctor visits?

Does Original Medicare cover all doctor visits? Original Medicare is made up of Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Generally, Part B covers doctor visits – even when you're in the hospital, where a lot of your care is covered under Part A. A deductible and/or coinsurance amount may apply.

What happens if you don't enroll in Medicare Part A at 65?

Part A late enrollment penalty

If you have to buy Part A, and you don't buy it when you're first eligible for Medicare, your monthly premium may go up 10%. You'll have to pay the penalty for twice the number of years you didn't sign up.

How many days does Medicare Part A cover?

Once you meet your deductible, Part A will pay for days 1–60 that you are in the hospital. For days 61–90, you will pay a coinsurance for each day. If you need to stay in the hospital for longer than 90 days, you can use up to 60 lifetime reserve days.

Which item is not covered by Medicare Part A?

We don't cover these routine items and services: Routine or annual physical checkups (visit Medicare Wellness Visits to learn about exceptions). exams required by third parties, like insurance companies, businesses, or government agencies. Eye exams for prescribing, fitting, or changing eyeglasses.

Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?

Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.

What are the top 5 medicare supplement plans?

💬 From our Nerds: What are the top five Medicare supplement plans? "Based on NerdWallet's Medigap rubric, I picked five best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies for 2025: AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Mutual of Omaha, State Farm, Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Does Medicare Part A pay 100% of hospital stay?

Medicare covers a hospital stay of up to 90 days, though a person may still need to pay coinsurance during this time. Plus, while Medicare does help fund longer stays, it may take the extra time from an individual's reserve days. Medicare provides 60 lifetime reserve days.

What procedure is not covered by Medicare?

These include preventive examinations represented by CPT codes 99381-99397. Medicare only covers three immunizations (influenza, pneumonia, and hepatitis B) as prophylactic physician services. Cosmetic procedures are never covered unless there is a medically-necessary reason for a procedure.

Does Medicare Part A cover er visits?

ER visits are considered outpatient stays, and Medicare Part A does not cover outpatient stays. However, if you're formally admitted to the hospital with a doctor's order, Part A will help pay for your inpatient hospital stay.

What does Medicare Part A not pay?

Medicare will cover your medical needs, as it would no matter where you live. But it does not pay for room and board at these facilities or for help with everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, eating or using the bathroom (also called “custodial care”) if that is the only care that you need.

Does Medicare Part A cover ambulance?

Coverage for Emergency Situations: Under Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B), emergency ambulance services are typically covered when a beneficiary's health condition requires immediate medical attention and the use of an ambulance is the fastest and safest means of transportation.

What does Medicare Part A pay for?

Medicare Part A is hospital insurance and typically covers costs related to inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and home health services.

Does everyone get Medicare Part A for free?

People age 65 or older, who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States, are eligible for Medicare Part A. You're eligible for Part A at no cost at age 65 if 1 of the following applies: You receive or are eligible to receive benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).

Why is Social Security no longer paying Medicare Part B?

There could be several reasons why Social Security stopped withholding your Medicare Part B premium. One common reason is that your income has exceeded the threshold for premium assistance. Another reason could be that there was a mistake or error in your records.

How much Social Security will I get at age 65?

If you start collecting your benefits at age 65 you could receive approximately $33,773 per year or $2,814 per month.