What You Should Know About Part A

You are entitled to Part A and will be automatically enrolled when turning 65 years old.

In 2026, what is covered in Part A?

There are three factors that govern Part A. Federal and state laws, national coverage decisions made by Medicare and local coverage decision made by each state that process claims.

Part A covers 

Inpatient hospital care including care provided by acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, long-term care hospitals, skilled nursing and rehabilitation care, blood, hospice care, and home health care. 

Part A Eligibility

There is no charge for Part A coverage because either you or your spouse paid FICA taxes for at least 40-quarters (10-years) while working. 

For those who do not qualify for Part A, there is a monthly premium of $518 per month if they did not pay taxes for less than 30-quarters. For those who did pay taxes for 30-39 quarters the premium is $285 per month.

To be eligible, you need to be a U.S. resident and be either a U.S. citizen or be an alien who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and has been residing in the United States for 5 continuous years before the month of applying for Medicare.

Late Enrolment Penalty

People eligible for Part A and who did pay the premium will have a late enrollment penalty of up to 10%.

Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Coinsurance

Most Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans will pay Part A deductibles as part of the policy. Supplemental plans, depending on the plan riders, may or may not cover deductibles. 

If you only have Original Medicare, you will pay for deductibles.

$1,676 for each hospital stay 

$0 coinsurance for days 1-60 benefit period

$419 coinsurance per day for days 61-90 benefit period

$838 coinsurance per day for days 90-150 and beyond

 
Disability Enrollment

Disabled people turning 65-years old and who are receiving Social Security benefits will be automatically enrolled in Part A. People under 65-years old will be enrolled after they are on disability for 24 months. People with ALS or end stage renal disease will be enrolled the month their disability benefits start. 

Skilled nursing and rehabilitation care

It covers up to 100 days, but only after a three-day hospital stay.

You will pay for skilled nursing deductibles.

$0.00 for days 10-20 

$209.50 for days 21-100

After 100 days you pay 100% of care

Home Health Care covers

It covers up to 100 days after an individual is in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. 

Inpatient psychiatric care

Covers up to 190 lifetime days

Nursing Services

If you only have Original Medicare, and you need nursing services, for a medical condition that is a hospital-related, that was treated during your qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay there is a deductible. 

You will pay for nursing services deductibles.

$0 for days 1-20 for each benefit period

$276 per day for days 21-100 for each benefit period

All Cost per day for days 101 and beyond