If you qualify for Medicare, you can save hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of dollars on out-of-pocket medical expenses. This health care coverage is separated into four parts. Services provided through Part A cover the costs of hospital care. Adults and youth who qualify for Medicare are generally eligible to receive services offered under Part A. If you are at least 65 years of age or have a qualifying medical condition, you can receive Medicare coverage.
Hospital Treatment
Costs of medical care received during hospital stays is covered under Medicare's Part A. In-patient hospital care on both a short- and long-term basis is covered under Part A. Critical and rehabilitative care is also covered. People who paid into the coverage, while they worked, do not have to pay premiums to receive the insurance. Seniors who are at least 65 years of age and not eligible to receive the insurance free of charge due to a lack of deductions made while they worked can pay for the insurance out of their own pockets.
Hospice
Hospice care is provided to Part A recipients whose physicians have classified their medical condition as terminal, with six months or less to live. Hospice care is provided at hospitals, nursing homes or the patient's private residence. Licensed nurses visit the patient to administer medications and take vital signs. They also work with caretakers to ensure the patient is comfortable and receiving care to treat symptoms related to the illness. Medical supplies and equipment, such as hospital beds, walkers and wheelchairs, are ordered through hospice. Physicians work directly with hospice workers to order prescriptions for patients.
Nursing Home Care
Short-term care at a nursing home is provided to patients who are covered under Medicare's Part A plan. The plan also covers care that patients receive at religious non-medical health care facilities. People whose physicians direct them to stay at a nursing home to recover from a stroke or other illness are eligible to have their stay covered by Part A.
Home Health Care
Part-time, intermittent care that does not require more than eight hours a day or seven days a week is paid for under Medicare's Part A plan. The care cannot exceed 21 days unless a patient's physician requests an extension and provides a clear date that the home care is no longer needed. Part A does not cover long-term, at-home care. Patients or their family members must pay for long-term at-home care out of their own pockets. Licensed home care agencies that patients receive their intermittent at-home care from require Medicare approval before services are rendered. The patient's physician also must certify that at-home care is needed.
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