Medicare Part A (the first letter in the Medicare alphabet soup) is the original Medicare coverage. It was designed as a major medical, catastrophic hospitalization plan.

Part A Covers:

Hospital Care: services you get as a patient in a hospital, including room, meals, nursing care, drugs and other services, and supplies. It does not cover doctor's fees. Those are covered by Part B, if you have it.

Home Health Services: any "medically-necessary" skilled nursing care or physical therapy you receive in your home.

Skilled Nursing Facility Care: services you receive in a skilled nursing facility after a hospital stay, including rehabilitation therapy, meals, nursing and drugs. This does not cover long-term nursing care and there are time limits to the coverage.

Hospice Care: if you've been certified by a doctor as being terminally ill, and expected to live 6 months or less. This care can be at home, provided by visiting hospice workers, or in a Medicare-approved hospice facility.

Eligibility for Medicare Part A begins at age 65. You should sign up three months before your 65th birthday. If you are already collecting Social Security benefits, your coverage will be automatic at age 65.