Quick answer: Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It helps cover inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care. Most people get it with no monthly premium because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working.
What Part A Covers
| Service | What’s covered | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital stays | Semi-private room, meals, nursing, drugs, and supplies during an inpatient stay | Hospital Coverage |
| Skilled nursing facility | Short-term skilled care after a qualifying hospital stay, up to 100 days per benefit period | SNF Coverage |
| Hospice care | Comfort and support care for a terminal illness, at $0 cost for the care itself | Hospice Care |
| Home health care | Part-time skilled nursing and therapy at home for homebound patients | Home Health Care |
What It Costs in 2026
Most people pay $0 a month for Part A. If you have to buy it, it’s $311 or $565 a month depending on your work history. Everyone with Part A pays a $1,736 deductible per benefit period, plus daily coinsurance for longer stays. See the full 2026 cost breakdown.
Who’s Eligible, and How to Enroll
You generally qualify at 65, or earlier with certain disabilities or a diagnosis of ESRD or ALS. Whether you’re enrolled automatically or need to sign up yourself depends on whether you’re already collecting Social Security. See exactly who’s enrolled automatically vs. who needs to apply.
Two Rules Worth Knowing Before You Need Them
Whether you’re considered a formally admitted “inpatient” or just under “observation” changes what Part A covers and whether you’ll qualify for skilled nursing facility care afterward — read why this distinction matters. And if you do need SNF care, it generally requires a 3-day qualifying hospital stay first — see the Medicare 3-day rule explained.
What Part A Doesn’t Cover
Part A does not cover long-term custodial care, private-duty nursing, or most dental and vision care. See the full list of exclusions so you can plan for the gaps.
Explore the Full Part A Guide
- Medicare Part A Costs in 2026
- Is Medicare Part A Free?
- Deductible & Benefit Periods Explained
- Hospital Coverage
- Inpatient vs. Observation Status
- Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage
- The Medicare 3-Day Rule
- Home Health Care Coverage
- Hospice Care
- Enrollment: Automatic vs. Manual
- Late Enrollment Penalty
- What Part A Does NOT Cover
- Part A vs. Part B
- Glossary of Terms
- Frequently Asked Questions
