Medicare Part A: What It Covers and What It Costs in 2026
In general, Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient care in hospitals, critical access hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, and it also helps cover hospice care and some home health care (medicare.gov). The Part A inpatient hospital deductible is $1,736 in 2026 for each benefit period, most people pay no monthly Part A premium, and people who buy Part A pay $311 or $565 a month in 2026 (CMS).
Maintained by Archie Chang · Reviewed November 2, 2026 · Methodology & sources
What Part A covers
Medicare.gov describes Part A, called Hospital Insurance, this way:
“In general, Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient care you get in hospitals, critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care.”
The CMS 2026 fact sheet lists inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, inpatient rehabilitation and some home health care:
“Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, inpatient rehabilitation, and some home health care services.”
For inpatient hospital care, medicare.gov lists what is covered and what is not:
“Medicare-covered inpatient hospital services include:
Semi-private rooms
Meals
General nursing
Certain drugs (including methadone to treat an Opioid Use Disorder)
Other hospital services and supplies you might get as part of your inpatient treatment”
“Medicare doesn't cover:
Private-duty nursing
A private room (unless medically necessary)
A television or phone in your room (if there's a separate charge for these items)
Personal care items (like razors or slipper socks)”
For hospice care, medicare.gov says:
“Hospice is end-of-life care for people with illnesses that can't be cured.”
Skilled nursing facility care has its own conditions. They are quoted on does Medicare cover assisted living.
Premium-free Part A and buying Part A
“$0 for most people (because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes long enough while working — generally at least 10 years).”
“Approximately 99% of Medicare beneficiaries do not have a Part A premium since they have at least 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment, as determined by the Social Security Administration.”
The CMS 2026 fact sheet describes the enrollees who pay a monthly premium in order to voluntarily enroll in Part A, and the two rates (the full premium also applies to certain individuals with disabilities who have exhausted other entitlements):
“Enrollees age 65 and older who have fewer than 40 quarters of coverage, and certain persons with disabilities, pay a monthly premium in order to voluntarily enroll in Medicare Part A.”
“Individuals who had at least 30 quarters of coverage, or were married to someone with at least 30 quarters of coverage, may buy into Part A at a reduced monthly premium rate, which will be $311 in 2026, a $26 increase from 2025.”
“Certain uninsured aged individuals who have fewer than 30 quarters of coverage, and certain individuals with disabilities who have exhausted other entitlements, will pay the full premium, which will be $565 a month in 2026, a $47 increase from 2025.”
Both of these sources, as retrieved November 2, 2026, state a Part B requirement for buying Part A, with different wording:
“You also have to sign up for Part B to buy Part A.”
“In most cases, if you choose to buy Part A, you must also have Part B and pay monthly premiums for both.”
2026 Part A costs
| Cost | 2026 amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium, premium-free Part A | $0 for most people | Medicare.gov: Medicare costs |
| Reduced premium if you buy Part A (at least 30 quarters of coverage, or married to someone with at least 30) | $311 a month | CMS 2026 fact sheet |
| Full premium if you buy Part A (fewer than 30 quarters of coverage, and certain people with disabilities) | $565 a month | CMS 2026 fact sheet |
| Inpatient hospital deductible, each benefit period | $1,736 | CMS 2026 fact sheet; medicare.gov |
| Days 1–60 of a hospital stay | $0 a day after the deductible | Medicare.gov: Inpatient hospital care |
| Days 61–90 of a hospital stay | $434 a day | CMS 2026 fact sheet; medicare.gov |
| Days 91–150 of a hospital stay (60 lifetime reserve days) | $868 a day | CMS 2026 fact sheet; medicare.gov |
| After day 150 of a hospital stay | You pay all costs | Medicare.gov: Inpatient hospital care |
| Days 1–20 in a skilled nursing facility | $0 a day after the Part A deductible | Medicare.gov: Medicare costs |
| Days 21–100 in a skilled nursing facility | $217 a day | CMS 2026 fact sheet; medicare.gov |
| Day 101 and beyond in a skilled nursing facility | You pay all costs | Medicare.gov: Medicare costs |
| Home health care | $0 for covered home health care services; 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for durable medical equipment | Medicare.gov: Medicare costs |
| Hospice care | $0 for covered hospice care services; a copayment of up to $5 for each prescription drug and other similar products for pain relief and symptom control at home; 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care | Medicare.gov: Medicare costs |
What the deductible covers, according to the CMS 2026 fact sheet:
“Part A inpatient hospital deductible covers beneficiaries’ share of costs for the first 60 days of Medicare-covered inpatient hospital care in a benefit period.”
For a hospital stay in a benefit period, medicare.gov gives the day ranges as:
“What you pay for each benefit period in 2026 depends on how long you're getting care:
Days 1–60: After you pay the Part A deductible ($1,736 in 2026), you pay $0 each day. (Note: If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may be charged copayments during the first 60 days.)
Days 61–90: You pay $434 each day.
Days 91-150: You pay $868 each day while using your 60 lifetime reserve days […]
After day 150: You pay all costs.”
For skilled nursing facility care, medicare.gov adds:
“You don’t have to pay the Part A deductible for skilled nursing facility care if you already paid it for care you got in a hospital during the same benefit period.”
For home health care and hospice, medicare.gov lists:
“$0 for covered home health care services.
20% of the Medicare-approved amount for durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other equipment)”
“$0 for covered hospice care services.
A copayment of up to $5 for each prescription drug and other similar products for pain relief and symptom control while you're at home. […]
5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care.”
The Part A inpatient hospital deductible in this table is the same figure as the 2026 value in the Part B premium and deductible history, which also lists the Part A deductible for 2020 through 2026.
Part A amounts for 2025 and 2026
| Type of cost sharing | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Inpatient hospital deductible | $1,676 | $1,736 |
| Daily hospital coinsurance, days 61-90 | $419 | $434 |
| Daily hospital coinsurance, lifetime reserve days | $838 | $868 |
| Skilled nursing facility daily coinsurance, days 21-100 | $209.50 | $217 |
CMS had not published 2027 Part A amounts when we checked on November 2, 2026. The Medicare & You 2027 handbook, as posted on medicare.gov on November 2, 2026, prints the same 2026 Part A deductible and premiums, and says on printing:
“The 2027 premium amounts, drug costs, and income limits weren’t available at the time of printing.”
Part A late enrollment penalty
The Medicare & You handbook states the Part A penalty rule:
“If you aren’t eligible for premium-free Part A, and you don’t buy it when you’re first eligible, your monthly premium may go up 10%. You’ll have to pay the higher premium for twice the number of years you could have had Part A but didn’t sign up. For example, if you were eligible for Part A for 2 years but didn’t sign up, you’ll have to pay a 10% higher premium for 4 years. If you’re allowed to sign up for Part A during a Special Enrollment Period, you may not have to pay a late enrollment penalty (pages 17–18).”
The Medicare late enrollment penalty calculator applies the same 10% rule to the 2026 Part A premium for a number of months you enter, alongside the Part B and Part D penalties.
Frequently asked questions
What is Medicare Part A?
Medicare.gov says: “In general, Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient care you get in hospitals, critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care.” The CMS 2026 fact sheet says Part A covers “inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, inpatient rehabilitation, and some home health care services.”
How much is the Medicare Part A deductible in 2026?
The CMS 2026 Medicare Parts A & B fact sheet, released November 14, 2025, says the Part A inpatient hospital deductible is $1,736 in 2026, up from $1,676 in 2025. Medicare.gov says it is paid for each benefit period.
What does Medicare Part A cost per day after day 60 of a hospital stay in 2026?
Medicare.gov and the CMS 2026 fact sheet give $434 a day in 2026 for days 61 through 90 of a hospital stay in a benefit period, and $868 a day in 2026 for lifetime reserve days. Medicare.gov says you have a total of 60 reserve days that can be used once during your lifetime, and after day 150 you pay all costs.
Do people pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A?
Medicare.gov says the Part A premium is “$0 for most people” who, or whose spouse, paid Medicare taxes long enough while working. The CMS 2026 fact sheet says enrollees with fewer than 40 quarters of coverage, and certain persons with disabilities, pay a monthly premium in order to voluntarily enroll: $311 a month in 2026 at the reduced rate (at least 30 quarters of coverage, or married to someone with at least 30), or $565 a month in 2026 at the full premium (fewer than 30 quarters, and certain individuals with disabilities who have exhausted other entitlements). Medicare.gov says you also have to sign up for Part B to buy Part A, and the Medicare & You handbook says “in most cases” you must also have Part B.
What is the Part A late enrollment penalty?
The Medicare & You handbook says that if you aren’t eligible for premium-free Part A and you don’t buy it when you’re first eligible, your monthly premium may go up 10%, for twice the number of years you could have had Part A but didn’t sign up. It adds that you may not have to pay the penalty if you are allowed to sign up during a Special Enrollment Period.
What does Medicare Part A not cover during an inpatient hospital stay?
Medicare.gov lists private-duty nursing, a private room (unless medically necessary), a television or phone in your room if there is a separate charge, and personal care items like razors or slipper socks as not covered during an inpatient hospital stay.
Has CMS published 2027 Medicare Part A amounts?
CMS had not published 2027 Part A amounts when we checked on November 2, 2026. The amounts in the CMS fact sheet dated November 14, 2025 are for 2026.
Related Medicare pages
- Does Medicare Cover Dental Care?
- Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?
- Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?
- Does Medicare Pay for Assisted Living?
- Medicare vs Medicaid
- Medicare Savings Programs
- Medicare open enrollment
- Medicare Part B premium and deductible history
- Medicare Part D
- Medicare late enrollment penalty calculator
- IRMAA brackets
Sources
All retrieved November 2, 2026. Quotes are verbatim; “[…]” marks every omission.
- Medicare.gov: Dental services
- Medicare.gov: Hearing aids
- Medicare.gov: Hearing & balance exams
- Medicare.gov: Cataract surgery
- Medicare.gov: Eyeglasses & contact lenses
- Medicare.gov: Long-term care
- Medicare.gov: Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care
- Medicare.gov: Hospice care
- Medicare.gov: Inpatient hospital care
- Medicare.gov: What Part A covers
- Medicare.gov: Medicare costs
- CMS: 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, Nov. 14, 2025)
- 42 CFR 411.15 (eCFR)
- Medicare & You 2027 handbook (medicare.gov)