Updated for plan year 2026 on 2026-07-25
What does Medicare Part A cover?
Medicare Part A generally covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care after qualifying hospital stays, hospice, and some home health care. Costs and eligibility depend on your work history and situation.
What to check before you choose
Medicare choices depend on your dates, county, prescriptions, doctors, pharmacies, and how much risk you are comfortable carrying during the year.
- Confirm the beneficiary's Medicare effective dates, county, prescriptions, doctors, and coverage goals.
- Separate general education from plan-specific recommendations and document consent before marketing discussions.
- Check current plan-year rules, premiums, formularies, pharmacy pricing, networks, and enrollment-window eligibility.