What does Medicare Part A primarily cover?

Medicare Part A primarily covers inpatient hospital stays, which includes the costs associated with being admitted to a hospital for treatment. This coverage extends to various services, such as room and board in the hospital, nursing care, and certain other hospital services and supplies that are necessary during a patient's stay.

While durable medical equipment, outpatient services, and prescription drugs are essential aspects of healthcare, they fall under different parts of Medicare. Durable medical equipment is usually covered under Medicare Part B, outpatient services are also a Part B benefit, and prescription drugs are covered under Medicare Part D. Therefore, recognizing that Part A focuses specifically on inpatient care is crucial for understanding the structure of Medicare and how it functions to provide healthcare coverage.