Part A is extremely important. It is possible to have a $500,000+ hospital bill. In contrast, a surgery may only cost $5,000. The hospital bill is often the most expensive part of the total medical bill. Medicare Part A covers the costs for facility stays such as at a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
Medicare (Part A) – Hospital & Skilled Nursing Facility Services
|
Services
|
Medicare Pays |
Plan N Pays |
You Pay |
Hospitalization –
First 60 Days |
All but $1,556 |
$1,556
(Part A deductible) |
$0 |
Skilled Nursing Facility –
First 20 days |
All approved amounts |
$0 |
$0 |
Skilled Nursing Facility –
21st through 100th day |
All but $194.50 a day |
Up to $194.50 a day |
$0 |
For the first 60 days you are in the hospital—which is a substantial amount of time—Medicare Part A pays all of the expenses except $1,556. This is called the Part A deductible.
Medicare Supplement Plan N pays the Part A deductible. Your net cost is $0. Zero is nice! 🙂
Normally hospitalization is for acute care. Once you are stabilized—often around 3 to 7 days—you are moved to a Skilled Nursing Facility to recover. For the first 20 days in a Skilled Nursing Facility, Medicare pays all the expenses. For days 21 to 100, Medicare pays all except $194.50 per day. Your Medicare Supplement Plan N pays the $194.50 per day. Your net cost is, once again $0. Zero is nice! 🙂