Medicare

Medicare Part A

Medicare Part A is premium-free for most beneficiaries and covers inpatient care, but comes with significant cost-sharing including a per-benefit-period deductible.

Last reviewed: May 2026 · Editorial methodology

Definition

Medicare Part A is the hospital insurance portion of Original Medicare. It covers inpatient hospital care, care in a skilled nursing facility (following a qualifying hospital stay of at least three consecutive days), hospice care for terminally ill patients, and limited home health agency services. Most beneficiaries receive Part A premium-free because they or their spouse paid Medicare payroll taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years) of covered employment. Those with fewer than 30 quarters of coverage pay a 2026 premium of up to $518 per month. Rather than an annual deductible, Part A uses a per-benefit-period deductible of $1,676 in 2026 for the first 60 days of each hospitalization. Days 61–90 incur a daily coinsurance of $419, and lifetime reserve days (61 total) carry $838 per day coinsurance. Skilled nursing facility care is fully covered for days 1–20; days 21–100 cost $209.50 per day in 2026. Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans frequently cover these gaps.

Where this term matters

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Tip

Glossary definitions are educational. Always check your own policy language — insurers can define common terms differently from one another. When in doubt, request a written explanation from your agent.

Related terms

Medicare Part BMedicare Part B charges a monthly premium — $202.90 in 2026 for most beneficiaries — and covers the outpatient medical services that Part A does not.Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)Medicare Advantage plans deliver all Original Medicare benefits through private insurers and frequently include prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and hearing benefits.Original MedicareOriginal Medicare provides broad provider access nationwide with no referrals required but lacks an out-of-pocket maximum, making supplemental coverage important.MedigapPrivate Medicare supplement insurance that fills gaps in Original Medicare's coverage.Medigap Plan GMedigap Plan G is the gold standard supplemental coverage for new Medicare beneficiaries, leaving only the $283 Part B deductible as out-of-pocket exposure.

Related guides

Source: Cover Forge USA editorial team|Last verified: May 2026|Methodology
Definitions are educational and may be simplified. Always refer to your policy contract and consult a licensed agent for terms that affect coverage decisions.
CF

Cover Forge USA Editorial Team

Editorial Lead

This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.

Reviewed June 2026

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