Medicare Part A ExplainedWho gets premium-free Part A, who pays for it, and what it covers

What Medicare Part A covers and what you pay in 2026

Hospital stays, skilled nursing, hospice and home health under Part A, with the 2026 deductible and daily coinsurance amounts.

Part A is hospital insurance. It covers inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying stay, hospice, and some home health care.

2026 costs

Part A hospital costs per benefit period in 2026 $0 $500 $1,000 $1,500 $2,000 $1,736 Deductible (days 1-60) $434 Days 61-90 (per day) $868 Lifetime reserve (per day) $217 SNF days 21-100 (per day) USD
Costs apply per benefit period, not per calendar year.

Benefit periods can repeat in the same year; see how benefit periods work.

Observation status

Time in the hospital under observation is billed under Part B, not Part A. See observation vs inpatient.

Who pays the gaps

Most Medigap plans pay the Part A deductible and coinsurance. In Washington, Maru Insurance can compare Medigap plans that cover these costs.

Questions people ask

What is the 2026 Part A deductible?

$1,736 per benefit period.

Does Part A cover nursing homes?

Only short-term skilled care after a qualifying stay.

What are lifetime reserve days?

60 extra days for long stays, at $868 a day in 2026.

Does Medigap pay the Part A deductible?

Most plans do.

Independent educational site. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or any insurance company. Figures are 2026 amounts published by CMS unless noted; check Medicare.gov for your situation.