Medicare is not just for seniors! Medicare Part A, often referred to as “Hospital Insurance,” is a fundamental component of the Medicare program. It primarily covers inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and some home health care services. For individuals under the age of 65, you may qualify for Medicare Part A if you meet certain conditions. Part A is particularly helpful, since it provides coverage for approved treatments and services that take place in a hospital, and it does it without requiring a monthly premium. Part A covers a few different types of hospital care. These include but are not limited to:

• Nursing facility care.
• Inpatient hospital stays.
• Hospice care.

Qualifying for Medicare Part A

1. Age 65 or Older: Most people become eligible for Medicare Part A when they turn 65, assuming they meet the necessary work history requirements or those of a spouse.
2. Disability: If you are under 65 but have received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for at least 24 months, you automatically qualify for Medicare Part A.
3. End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or ALS: Individuals of any age diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) can also enroll in Medicare, including Part A.

Hospital bills can add up fast if you do not have coverage. Therefore, if you are managing one of the diagnoses that make you eligible for Medicare under 65 (ESRD, ALS or a disability), then Medicare Part A will likely be one of the most important aspects of your healthcare coverage. In addition to helping pay for hospital costs, Medicare Part A also covers certain home health care costs. Additionally, if you have a qualifying disability, you do not have to pay a monthly premium for these services. These may include physical therapy or certain skilled nursing care, along with other services.

The Enrollment Process

1. Automatic Enrollment: If you receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A when you become eligible. You’ll receive your Medicare card in the mail about three months before your 65th birthday or after 24 months of disability benefits.
2. Manual Enrollment: If you don’t receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits or if you have to manually apply for Medicare Part A due to disability or ESRD/ALS, you can do so during specific enrollment periods.
   • Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): This is a seven-month period, including the three months before your 65th birthday, the month of your birthday, and the three months following. It’s the best time to enroll to avoid potential late enrollment penalties.
   • Special Enrollment Period (SEP): If you or your spouse is still working and you have group health coverage through your employer, you can enroll during a Special Enrollment Period without penalty once the employment ends.
   • General Enrollment Period (GEP): If you missed your IEP and don’t qualify for an SEP, you can enroll during the General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. Your coverage will begin on July 1 of the same year.

By Admin – March 2020