Which statement about Part A premiums and deductibles is true?

Which statement about Part A premiums and deductibles is true?

• A. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part A; there is no deductible.
• B. Part A covers durable medical equipment like wheelchairs.
• C. Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Part A because they paid Medicare taxes; there is a deductible if hospitalized.
• D. Part A includes prescription drug coverage.

Answer: (C)

Part A is hospital insurance funded mainly by Medicare payroll taxes, so most people don’t pay a monthly premium for it because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes during their working years. When you are hospitalized, there is a deductible you must meet for the inpatient stay. After that deductible, the plan helps cover inpatient costs, with additional cost sharing if the stay is extended. This combination—no regular premium for most and a deductible tied to hospital admission—is what makes the statement true. It’s helpful to keep in mind what Part A does and does not cover: prescription drugs are not included in Part A (that’s Part D), and durable medical equipment like wheelchairs is generally covered by Part B, not Part A.

Part A is hospital insurance funded mainly by Medicare payroll taxes, so most people don’t pay a monthly premium for it because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes during their working years. When you are hospitalized, there is a deductible you must meet for the inpatient stay. After that deductible, the plan helps cover inpatient costs, with additional cost sharing if the stay is extended. This combination—no regular premium for most and a deductible tied to hospital admission—is what makes the statement true. It’s helpful to keep in mind what Part A does and does not cover: prescription drugs are not included in Part A (that’s Part D), and durable medical equipment like wheelchairs is generally covered by Part B, not Part A.