Medicare Part A: Hospital Insurance
Last reviewed: June 2026 · Reviewed by Galit Sacajiu MD, MPH
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance — the part of Medicare that covers inpatient care. Most people pay $0 in premiums for Part A if they (or their spouse) worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters).
What Medicare Part A Covers
✓ Inpatient Hospital Care
Semi-private room, meals, general nursing, and other hospital services and supplies during a covered inpatient stay.
✓ Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Care
Short-term care in a skilled nursing facility following a qualifying hospital stay of at least 3 days. Covers days 1–20 at $0 per day; days 21–100 at $216.50/day in 2026.
✓ Hospice Care
Pain relief, symptom management, and support services for terminally ill patients. Available if a doctor certifies a life expectancy of 6 months or less.
✓ Home Health Care
Part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and other services — if you are homebound and your doctor certifies the need.
2026 Part A Costs
| Service | Your Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Monthly premium (40+ quarters) | $0 |
| Monthly premium (30–39 quarters) | $284 |
| Monthly premium (under 30 quarters) | $518 |
| Inpatient hospital deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Hospital days 1–60 | $0 coinsurance |
| Hospital days 61–90 | $433/day coinsurance |
| Lifetime reserve days (91+) | $866/day coinsurance |
| Skilled nursing days 1–20 | $0 |
| Skilled nursing days 21–100 | $216.50/day |
| Skilled nursing days 101+ | All costs (no coverage) |
💡 What Is a Benefit Period?
A benefit period begins the day you are admitted as an inpatient and ends when you have not received inpatient care for 60 consecutive days. You pay the deductible once per benefit period — not once per year. If you are re-admitted after 60 days, a new deductible applies.
What Part A Does NOT Cover
- ✗ Private hospital room (unless medically necessary)
- ✗ Private-duty nursing
- ✗ Personal care items (TV, telephone, cosmetics)
- ✗ Most long-term custodial care
- ✗ Care outside the United States (with very limited exceptions)
How to Fill the Part A Gaps
The Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period) and daily coinsurance charges can add up quickly during a long hospital stay. Two options help cover these costs:
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Plans like Plan G cover the Part A deductible and daily coinsurance entirely, giving you predictable costs.
Compare Medigap plans →Medicare Advantage
Part C plans replace Original Medicare and cap your annual out-of-pocket spending, including hospital costs.
Compare Advantage plans →