Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health services. It is important to understand the different benefit periods. In Addition it is important to understand the deductibles that are with Medicare part A. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits periods and deductibles for Medicare Part A in 2022. We will also provide some tips on how to reduce your out-of-pocket costs for these services.
What is a Benefit Period?
A benefit period is the length of time that you can receive covered services under Medicare Part A. The length of time is judged by when you are admitted into hospital. This can be a hospital or skilled nursing facility. Then, it ends when you have not received any covered services for 60 days in a row. If you are readmitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility within 60 days of being discharged, your new benefit period will begin on the day of readmission.
What is a Deductible?
A deductible is an amount that you must pay out-of-pocket for covered services before Medicare Part A begins to pay. The Medicare Part A deductible for 2022 is $0. This means that you will not have to pay a deductible for Medicare Part A covered services in 2022.
How Can I Reduce My Out-of-Pocket Costs?
There are a few ways that you can reduce your out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part A covered services. One way is to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private insurance companies. They must provide at least the same level of coverage as Medicare Part A. Some Medicare Advantage Plans offer additional benefits, such as dental and vision coverage, that are not covered by Medicare Part A. Another way to reduce your out-of-pocket costs is to enroll in a Medigap Plan. Medigap Plans are offered by private insurance companies. Also, they can help to pay for some of the out-of-pocket costs that are not covered by Medicare Part A.
What are Medicare Part A Lifetime Reserve Days?
Part A lifetime reserve days is an inpatient hospital benefit that provides up to 60 days of covered care per benefit period. This benefit is only available if you have been discharged from the hospital after staying for at least 90 days. If you use all of your lifetime reserve days, you will be responsible for paying all of the costs of your visit.
What is Part A Skilled Nursing Facility Care?
Part A skilled nursing facility care is a benefit that provides up to 100 days of covered care per benefit period. This benefit is only available if you have been in hospital after staying for at least three days. If you use all of your skilled nursing facility care days, you will be responsible for paying all of the costs of your stay.
What is Part A Home Health Services?
Part A home health services is a benefit that provides up to 60 days of covered care per benefit period. This benefit is available if you are unable to leave your home and need skilled nursing or rehabilitation services. If you use all of your home health services days, you will be responsible for paying all of the costs of your stay.
Hospital Costs with Medicare Advantage!
If enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will not have to pay the Part A deductible. Additionally, if your plan provides coverage for skilled nursing facility care or home health services, you may not have to pay for these services. However, you should check with the carrier to confirm. Also, you will need to know what your out-of-pocket costs may be.
Here Are Some Key Points to Remember About Medicare Part A Costs!
- With Original Medicare, you pay a Medicare Part A deductible for each benefit period.
- A benefit period begins when you enter the hospital and ends when you are out for 60 days in a row.
- One benefit period may include more than one hospitalization.
- Medicare Advantage plans may or may not charge deductibles for hospital stays.
We hope this information was helpful to you. Beneficiaries coming into Medicare will always need guidance. We can help on the right decisions for coverage and how and when to protect themselves from out-of-pocket costs.
