Part A Medicare pays for:

• hospitalization;
• skilled nursing;
• home health (following a hospital stay); and
• hospice care.

Part A does not include custodial or long-term care. An individual is responsible for paying a deductible of $1,024 (in 2008).

For 2008

After the first 60 continuous days of hospital care, co-payments are as follows:

• $256 per day from the 61^st to 90^th day of each benefit period.
• $512 per day from the 91^st to 150^th day for each lifetime reserve day. Medicare Part A allots 60 non-renewable, lifetime reserve days.
• All costs for each day beyond 150 days.

Unlike beneficiaries eligible for Medicare due to age, individuals under age 65 cannot buy into Part A if they don’t have enough quarters to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. These individuals have to meet FICA contribution requirements for the SSDI program to receive Part A.