Medicare Part A

Definition

Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and home health care. Most people pay no Part A premium because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes long enough while working, generally at least 10 years. A deductible applies for each benefit period.

Why It Matters

Part A pays the biggest bills, hospital stays, but its deductible applies per benefit period, not per year, so a second hospitalization later in the year can mean paying it again.

Real-World Example

Common Misconceptions

• Part A covers doctor visits. That's Part B.
• Everyone pays a Part A premium. Most people pay $0.
• The deductible is yearly. It's per benefit period, so it can apply more than once a year.

Key Takeaways

• Medicare.gov: Part A helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and home health care.
• Most people pay $0 premium after about 10 years of Medicare taxes.
• The 2026 inpatient deductible is $1,736 per benefit period.
• People who must buy Part A pay $311 or $565 a month in 2026, depending on work history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Terms

• Medicare Part B
• Original Medicare
• Medicare Initial Enrollment Period
• Deductible

Related Coverages

• Medicare

Related Scenarios

• Does Medicare Cover The Shingles Vaccine?
• Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants?
• Does Medicare Pay For Assisted Living?

Sources

The factual claims on this page were checked against these sources. Rules and figures change, so check the source itself if you need to confirm the current version.

• medicare.govParts of Medicare · Medicare.gov (U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
• medicare.govMedicare costs · Medicare.gov (U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)