Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)
Inpatient hospital, skilled nursing, hospice, & home health coverage
Overview
Medicare Part A is Hospital Insurance for confinement in a hospital or skilled nursing facility per benefit period. A benefit period begins on the first day you receive service as an inpatient & ends after you've been out of the hospital — & haven't received skilled care in any other facility — for 60 days in a row.
What Medicare Part A is
Part A is the hospital-insurance half of Original Medicare. It's designed to pay the biggest bills you'd face if you were admitted to a hospital or needed skilled care after a hospital stay — not everyday doctor visits, which live under Part B.
Because Part A works in benefit periods rather than a calendar year, you can trigger a new deductible if you're readmitted more than 60 days after your last inpatient or skilled-nursing stay.
What Part A covers
Part A pays for medically necessary inpatient & post-acute care, including:
- A semi-private hospital room, meals, general nursing, & the first 3 units of blood
- Care in special units such as intensive care, plus operating & recovery-room services
- Drugs, medical supplies, labs, X-rays, & equipment used during an inpatient stay
- Skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay
- Hospice care for terminal illness, including symptom-management medications & inpatient respite care
- Part-time home health services (skilled nursing, physical, occupational, & speech therapy) for the home-bound
- Inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation after a qualified inpatient stay
Who is eligible
- U.S. citizens or lawful residents age 65 or older
- People under 65 who have received SSDI benefits for at least 24 months
- Anyone diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or ALS
- Spouses who qualify on a partner's Medicare-taxed work history
Why someone chooses Part A
Most people qualify for premium-free Part A after 40 quarters (10 years) of Medicare-taxed work, so it's the foundation of nearly every Medicare beneficiary's coverage. Enrolling on time also keeps you eligible to pair Part A with Part B, a Medicare Advantage plan, or a Medigap policy without a late-enrollment penalty.
Important benefits & limitations
- Premium-free for most enrollees; a monthly premium applies if you have fewer than 40 quarters of qualifying work
- The 2026 inpatient deductible resets every benefit period — not once per year
- Skilled nursing coverage requires a qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay & admission to a Medicare-approved facility within 30 days
- Part A does not cover long-term custodial care (help with bathing, dressing, or eating)
- Doctor visits, outpatient services, & most prescription drugs fall under Part B & Part D, not Part A
Good to know
If you're already receiving Social Security benefits, enrollment in Part A is automatic at age 65. Otherwise, sign up during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday to avoid gaps in coverage.
Key highlights
- Premium-free for most people with 40+ quarters of Medicare-taxed work
- 2026 inpatient deductible: $1,736 per benefit period (Days 1–60)
- Days 61–90: $434/day coinsurance
- Days 91–150: $868/day coinsurance using 60 lifetime reserve days
- Skilled nursing Days 21–100: $217/day coinsurance
- First 3 pints of blood are your cost; 100% of approved amount after
What it covers
Inpatient hospital care
Semi-private room, meals, general nursing, the first 3 units of blood, ICU/special-unit care, operating & recovery room services, & drugs, supplies, labs, X-rays, & equipment used during your stay.
Skilled nursing facility
Up to 100 days after a qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay, when admitted to a Medicare-approved SNF within 30 days of discharge.
Hospice care
Symptom & pain management for terminal illness certified by a doctor, including outpatient drugs & inpatient respite care.
Home health services
Part-time skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, & speech-language pathology for the home-bound after a qualifying stay.
Inpatient rehabilitation
Rehab in an IRF after a qualifying inpatient admission.
Blood transfusions
In a hospital or skilled nursing facility after the first 3 pints.
2026 Part A costs — per benefit period
| When you are hospitalized | Medicare covers | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–60 | Most confinement costs after the deductible | $1,736 deductible |
| Days 61–90 | All eligible expenses after per-day coinsurance | $434/day — up to $13,020 |
| Days 91–150 (60 lifetime reserve days — once in a lifetime) | All eligible expenses after per-day coinsurance | $868/day — up to $52,080 |
| 151+ days | Nothing | All costs |
| Skilled nursing, Days 1–20 (after a 3-day inpatient stay) | All eligible expenses | $0 |
| Skilled nursing, Days 21–100 | All but $217/day | $217/day — up to $17,360 |
| Hospice care | All but limited copays for outpatient drugs & respite care | Small Medicare copay |
| Blood | 100% of approved amount after first 3 pints | First 3 pints |
Skilled nursing coverage requires an inpatient hospital stay of at least 3 days & admission to a Medicare-approved SNF within 30 days after discharge. Amounts shown are the official 2026 figures published by CMS (Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles fact sheet, November 2025) & change each calendar year.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay a monthly premium for Part A?+
Most people don't. If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years), Part A is premium-free. Fewer quarters = a monthly premium set annually by CMS.
What's a benefit period?+
A benefit period starts the day you're admitted as an inpatient & ends after you've been out of the hospital or a skilled nursing facility for 60 days in a row. Deductibles reset each new benefit period.
Does Part A cover long-term custodial care?+
No. Part A only covers medically necessary skilled care. Long-term custodial care (help with bathing, dressing, eating) is not covered by Medicare.
How do I sign up for Part A?+
If you're already receiving Social Security, enrollment is automatic at 65. Otherwise, enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period (the 7 months around your 65th birthday) at SSA.gov.
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