When you first enroll in Medicare, one of the first terms you’ll hear is Medicare Part A. But what does it actually cover—and just as important, what doesn’t it cover?
Let’s break it down so it’s easy to understand.
Think of Part A as “Hospital Insurance”
Imagine you’ve had an unexpected health issue and need to stay in the hospital. Medicare Part A is the part of Medicare that helps cover your inpatient hospital care. But that’s not all. It also covers some services related to skilled nursing, hospice, and limited home health care.
Here’s a simple way to remember it:
If you’re admitted to a facility (like a hospital or skilled nursing center), Part A is likely helping cover the bill.
What Does Medicare Part A Cover?
Medicare Part A focuses on care that usually happens in a facility, rather than at a doctor’s office. Here’s what’s included:
1. Inpatient Hospital Care
If you’re admitted to a hospital, Medicare Part A helps pay for your semi-private room, meals, general nursing, drugs and other hospital services and supplies.
2. Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Care
After a hospital stay of at least three days, Part A covers skilled nursing facility care for recovery — like after a surgery such as a knee replacement.
- First 20 days: Covered 100%
- Day 21–100: You pay $217 per day in 2026
- After day 101 and beyond: You’re responsible for all costs
3. Home Health Care
In some cases, Part A also covers limited home health services — like nursing care or physical therapy in your home — especially after a hospital stay. Sometimes these services fall under Part B instead, depending on your situation.
4. Hospice Care
Part A covers hospice care for those with a terminal illness. This includes pain relief, symptom management, and emotional and spiritual support.
What Will You Pay?
Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A. That’s because you already paid for it through payroll taxes during your working years. If you’ve worked in the U.S. and paid into Social Security for at least 10 years (40 quarters), you’ve already earned premium-free Part A.
(However, if you do not qualify for premium-free Part A, you may be able to buy it. Paying either $311 or $565 in 2026 each month for Part A. This depends on how long you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes.)
While you may not pay a monthly premium, that doesn’t mean Part A is completely free.
Deductibles and Copays
In 2026, Part A has a $1,736 deductible per benefit period. A benefit period starts when you go into the hospital and ends after you haven’t received any inpatient care for 60 days.
Here’s an example:
- You go to the hospital in January: you pay the $1,736 deductible.
- You’re discharged and recover.
- You go back in July for another issue: you pay another $1,676 deductible.
After 60 days in the hospital, daily copays kick in. These costs can add up quickly. Learn more about Part A costs (Medicare.gov).
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself from High Costs?
If you only have Original Medicare, you may want to consider additional coverage to help with out-of-pocket expenses:
1. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans
These help cover deductibles and copays not paid by Original Medicare. The plans are standardized, which means you can compare them easily across different insurance companies.
2. Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)
These plans are offered by private insurance companies and often include extra benefits. However, they vary widely, so it’s important to compare carefully and understand what’s covered.
Each plan works differently — there’s no one-size-fits-all option here.
Why This Matters
Knowing what Part A covers helps you plan for your health care needs and budget. Even if you don’t expect to be in the hospital soon, understanding your coverage now can help you avoid surprise bills later.
You’ve paid into this system — now it’s time to make it work for you.
Want to learn more about Medicare? Explore classes on GetSetUp. We’re here to help you understand your benefits and make the best decisions for your health and your wallet.