Medicare Part A  (Hospital insurance) covers inpatient hospital care, critical access care, short-term care in skilled nursing facilities, hospice and some home health care. Medicare typically does not pay for assisted living facilities, nursing homes or long-term care at home.

Part A is free to most Medicare beneficiaries if the beneficiary or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while they were working. 

If an individual is not eligible to receive Part A free-of-charge then the individual may be eligible to sign up for Part A coverage with a premium.