Medicare Part A

Hospital Insurance (HI)

Note: Unlike Social Security, Medicare taxes have no wage cap. You pay 1.45% on all earnings, and high earners pay an additional 0.9% above $200,000.

Hospital Inpatient Care

Semi-private room, meals, general nursing, drugs as part of inpatient treatment, and other hospital services and supplies. Includes critical access hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

Skilled Nursing Facility Care

Up to 100 days per benefit period in a skilled nursing facility, but only after a qualifying hospital stay of at least 3 days. Includes semi-private room, meals, skilled nursing and rehabilitative services.

Hospice Care

For people with terminal illness (6 months or less to live). Includes pain relief, symptom management, support services, and respite care. Most hospice care is provided at home.

Home Health Services

Limited home health services including skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy. Must be homebound and services must be ordered by a doctor.