Certified Financial Consultant (CFC) Practice Exam

Which service is NOT covered under Medicare Part A?

1. Inpatient hospital stays

2. Outpatient hospital treatment

3. Nursing home care

4. Home health care

The correct answer is: Outpatient hospital treatment

Medicare Part A primarily covers inpatient care, which includes services such as inpatient hospital stays, care received in skilled nursing facilities, hospice services, and certain home health care services when they are part of a homebound plan following a qualifying hospital stay. Outpatient hospital treatment, on the other hand, is not included in Part A. Instead, outpatient services fall under Medicare Part B, which covers a wide range of medical services that do not require an overnight stay in a hospital, such as outpatient surgery, diagnostic tests, and many preventive services. This is crucial for beneficiaries to understand, as many health care needs occur on an outpatient basis and require the appropriate coverage under Part B rather than Part A. By recognizing the delineation between inpatient and outpatient care, individuals can better navigate their healthcare needs and understand which aspects of Medicare apply to specific situations.