For more details on how Medicare Part A works please watch our video.
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Medicare Part A covers hospital stays and inpatient care, including:
- A semi-private room
- Care in special units, such as intensive care
- Operating room and recovery room services
- Part-time, skilled care for the homebound
- Your hospital meals
- Drugs, medical supplies and medical equipment used during an inpatient stay
- Some blood transfusions in a hospital or skilled nursing facility
- Hospice care for the terminally ill, including medications to manage symptoms and pain
- Skilled nursing services
- Lab tests, X-rays and medical equipment as an inpatient
- Inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation services after a qualified inpatient stay
- Drugs, medical supplies and medical equipment used during an inpatient stay
- Some blood transfusions in a hospital or skilled nursing facility
- Hospice care for the terminally ill, including medications to manage symptoms and pain
- Skilled nursing services
- Lab tests, X-rays and medical equipment as an inpatient
- Inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation services after a qualified inpatient stay
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Part A Costs:
Premium
- No monthly premium for most people
- You can purchase coverage if neither you nor your spouse paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters)
Deductible
- There is a $1,676 deductible per benefit period (2026)
Copay for hospital stays
- No copay for days 1–60
- You will have a copay for days 61–90
- Past day 90 you have an increased copay for each lifetime reserve day
Copay for skilled nursing facility stays
- No copay for days 1-20
- You will have a copay for days 21-100
For hospice care
- Small copay for each prescription to manage symptoms
- Coinsurance for inpatient respite care to give primary caregiver rest or time off
Part A coverage and costs are based on benefit periods.
A benefit period begins the day you’re admitted to the hospital. It ends when you’ve been out for 60 days in a row. You will have another deductible when you are admitted to the hospital again in the same year.
No annual out-of-pocket maximum.
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STEP 1: EDUCATION
Videos, articles, and free Medicare consulations.
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STEP 2: COMPARISON
We compare plans for you to find the right fit.
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STEP 3: NO FUSS ENROLLMENT
We handle everything for you.
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STEP 4: FREE LIFETIME SERVICE
Annual plan reviews to ensure plan fit.
We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency or the Federal Medicare Program. This is for educational purposes only and simply reflects our understanding of Medicare issues in effect at the time of publication. Individual situations vary and the personal impact of various strategies should be carefully considered. Nothing on this site shall be considered specific advice.