Medicare Part A Explained: What it is, what it covers, and more

What is Medicare Part A?

Medicare Part A is sometimes called “hospital insurance.” Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, nursing home care, some home health care, and hospice care. You will automatically be enrolled in Part A when you apply for Medicare. Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Part A coverage. 

What does Medicare Part A cover?

Medicare Part A helps cover care when you’re admitted to hospital or nursing facility or need certain health care services at home.

Inpatient hospital care 

This includes semi-private rooms, meals, general nursing, drugs, and other hospital services and supplies. Inpatient psychiatric hospital stays are also included for up to 190 days during your lifetime. It does not cover private duty nursing, a television or phone in your room (if there is a separate charge for these items), or personal care items like toothpaste or razors.

Skilled nursing facility care

Part A covers short-term care at a skilled nursing facility if it's medically necessary following a qualifying inpatient hospital stay. Coverage includes semi-private rooms, meals, skilled nursing care, required physical and/or occupational therapy, required speech-language pathology services, medical social services, drugs, medical supplies and equipment, ambulance transportation, and dietary counseling. It does not cover long-term or custodial care.

Home health care

If you are homebound or unable to leave your home without help, Medicare Part A covers part-time skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, injectable osteoporosis drugs for women, certain durable medical equipment (like walkers and wheelchairs), and at-home medical supplies.

Hospice care

Medicare Part A will cover palliative or comfort care for terminally ill patients. This includes doctor, nursing, and medical services; durable medical equipment; medical supplies; pain management drugs; spiritual and grief counseling; physical and occupational therapy; and other services to manage pain and symptoms.

What is the difference between Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B?

How much does Medicare Part A cost?

Most people don’t pay a premium for Medicare Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working. However, these costs may apply: 

• Premiums. The amount you are required to pay each month for your health care coverage. Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Part A. If you or your spouse worked for 10 years and paid Medicare taxes, you will not have to pay a premium. 
• Deductible. This is a set amount you pay for covered services before your plan begins to pay. Not all plans have a deductible, and not all services apply. In 2026, the Medicare Part A deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. A benefit period begins the day you’re admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility. It ends when you haven’t had any inpatient care for 60 days in a row. 
• Coinsurance. This is percentage of the cost you pay when you receive covered services (for example, 20 percent). After you’ve paid the deductible, you typically pay coinsurance for each benefit period. For example, for days 61–90 of a hospital stay in a benefit period, you pay a daily coinsurance amount.

For more information, visit medicare.gov's costs page.

Medicare Part A eligibility requirements

You can enroll in Medicare Part A if:

• You are age 65 or older, or
• You are under age 65 with certain disabilities, or 
• You have permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis.

What happens if you don’t enroll in Medicare Part A at 65?

How to get Medicare Part A

If you already get benefits from Social Security, you'll get Medicare Parts A and B automatically when you're first eligible and don't need to sign up. Medicare will send you a "Welcome to Medicare" packet three months before you turn 65. You can also contact the Social Security Administration to sign up for Original Medicare. Go to SSA.gov or call toll-free 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.

Frequently asked questions about Medicare Part A

Does Medicare Part A cover hospital stays of more than 90 days?

Medicare Part A covers hospital stays up to 90 days per benefit period. After the first 90 days, you will begin to use your lifetime reserve days. Lifetime reserve days are extra days Original Medicare will pay for long inpatient hospital stays. You get 60 of these days to use in your whole life and once they are used, you are responsible for all costs. A benefit period ends when you haven’t received inpatient care (at a hospital or skilled nursing facility) for 60 consecutive days.

Can you delay enrolling in Medicare Part A if you’re still working?

Yes. If you or your spouse is still working and have creditable employer coverage, you may be able to delay enrolling in Part A without penalty. In many cases, you can enroll later when your employer or group coverage ends. Talk with your employer and Social Security to confirm how your employer coverage affects when you should enroll.

Is skilled nursing facility care always covered after a hospital stay?

No. Medicare Part A only covers short-term care at a skilled nursing facility if it's considered medically necessary following a qualifying inpatient hospital stay of at least three consecutive nights. You must enter the skilled nursing facility within a short time after your hospital stay and your doctor must certify that you need skilled care.

Does Medicare Part A cover prescription drugs?

No. Medicare Part A only covers certain medications you receive while in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. Prescription drugs are covered under Medicare Part D, so you will need to enroll in standalone Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage.