1. You can choose to enroll in Medicare Parts A & B only
You have the option to enroll in Medicare Parts A & B only. Keep in mind that if you do so, you may have more risk. Here is what original Medicare covers:
Your costs in Original Medicare
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)
Inpatient Hospital Stay
You pay this in each benefit period
- Days 1–60: $1,632 deductible.
- Days 61–90: $408 each day.
- Days 91 and beyond: $816 each day while using your 60
- Each day after you use all of your lifetime reserve days: All costs.
Skilled Nursing Facility Stay
In each benefit period, you pay:
- Days 1 - 20: $0. (Note: If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may be charged copayments during the first 20 days. Check with your plan for more information.)
- Days 21 - 100: $204 each day
- After day 100: All costs
Part A limits SNF coverage to 100 days in each benefit period.
Hospice Care
- You pay nothing for hospice care as long as you get your care from a Medicare-approved hospice provider.
You pay a copaymentof up to $5 for each prescription for outpatient drugs for pain and symptom management. In the rare case the hospice benefit doesn't cover your drug, your hospice provider should contact your plan to see if Part D covers it. The hospice provider will inform you if any drugs or services aren’t covered, and if you’ll be required to pay for them. - You may pay 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care
- Your copay can’t exceed the inpatient hospital deductible for the year.
- Original Medicare will still pay for covered benefits for any health problems that aren't part of your terminal illness and related conditions, but you'll owe and deductible and coinsurance amounts that apply.
- You may have to pay for room and board if you live in a facility (like a nursing home) and choose to get hospice care.