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Iron helps our blood carry oxygen to all the organs that need it. When you don’t have enough iron, you feel tired, weak, or short of breath. For people aged 65 years and up, it’s important to know what iron deficiency looks like, its signs and symptoms, and what causes it. Learn why iron matters to your health, medical treatments and home remedies, and foods that combat iron deficiency. What is iron deficiency? Iron deficiency means your body does not have enough iron to do its job. Iron helps your body make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. If you don’t have enough iron, your body can’t produce enough healthy red blood cells, which can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Why iron is important Iron is used for several bodily functions: It helps red blood cells carry oxygen to muscles, the brain, and organs. It supports energy and thinking. Low iron can make daily tasks feel harder. It helps the immune system work well. For people aged 65 years and above, having enough iron can help with balance, thinking, and staying active. Low iron can raise the chance of feeling weak or falling. What are the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency in people aged 65 years and up Many people with low iron have mild or no symptoms at first. When symptoms do appear, they can include: Feeling very tired or lacking energy Shortness of breath Lightheadedness or dizziness Pale skin Fast heartbeat or chest discomfort Brain fog, trouble thinking clearly, or slower thinking Weakness, muscle tiredness, or more falls Restless legs In some cases, it causes pica or a craving for nonfood items Causes of iron deficiency Iron deficiency happens when the body loses more iron than it takes in, or cannot use the iron it has. Common causes include: Blood loss from the digestive tract. Small, slow bleeding from the stomach, intestines, or colon is surprisingly common among people aged 65 years and up. Not enough iron in your diet, especially if you eat very little meat, are vegetarian, or vegan. Problems absorbing iron because of certain stomach or intestinal conditions, or after certain. Chronic inflammation or long-term illnesses can cause the body to store iron in a way that makes it harder to use, even when iron levels are normal. Some medicines that reduce stomach acid can lower iron absorption if used long term. Did You Know? Low iron in your blood puts you at higher risk of catching mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. Keep the little vampires at bay with homemade natural mosquito repellent. Who is more iron deficient, men or women? Young women often have iron loss from menstrual bleeding. But after age 65, men also face the risk of iron deficiency. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, iron deficiency becomes more common with age, so screening when symptoms appear is wise. Is it possible to have too much iron? Yes, and it can happen when people self-medicate with iron supplements without their doctor’s supervision. Iron overload can damage the liver, heart, pancreas, and other organs. Some signs of iron overload are: Fatigue, low energy, general weakness Joint pain (especially in the hands and knees) Abdominal pain or discomfort Unexplained weight loss Darkening of the skin (bronze or gray tint) Loss of sex drive or erectile dysfunction Irregular heart rhythm or palpitations Swelling in the liver or spleen Frequent infections Read more: 7 reasons your skin itches like crazy Treatments and remedies Both medical treatments and home remedies can restore and raise iron in your body. Always check with a health care provider before starting any treatment. Medical treatments Oral iron supplements: Pills, capsules, tablets etc. taken by mouth are the usual first step, although it can take a few weeks to replenish your body’s iron stores. Side effects can include stomach upset, constipation, and dark stools. Intravenous iron: If oral iron does not work or causes bad side effects, IV iron can be given safely in the clinic. A needle delivers liquid iron directly into your bloodstream. This gives much quicker results, but can have its own side effects, so it is done under medical supervision. Treat the cause: If bleeding is found, doctors treat the source. That might mean medicines, procedures, or surgery. Fixing the bleeding stops iron loss. Blood transfusion: In extremely severe cases, anemia may be treated with a blood transfusion. Home and lifestyle remedies Diet changes: Add iron-rich foods to meals, and take vitamin c to help with absorption. Take iron correctly: Some people absorb iron better if they take it on an empty stomach or with vitamin C. For others, a small snack helps prevent an upset stomach. Avoid tea or coffee near iron doses because they can reduce absorption. Avoid self-prescribing high-dose iron: Too much iron can lead to iron poisoning. This can result in vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and liver failure. Foods that combat iron deficiency There are two kinds of dietary iron, heme and non-heme. Heme iron is readily absorbed by the human body. It is found in animal muscle tissue, and foods with the most heme iron are: Red meat (beef, lamb, venison) Organ meats (liver, brain, kidneys) Chicken and other poultry (thighs and legs have more heme iron than breast meat) Seafood (shellfish, salmon, tuna) Non-heme iron is found in plants. It takes a little time — and some help from vitamin C — to be fully absorbed. Good sources of non-heme iron are: Lentils, beans, chickpeas, tofu Spinach, kale, chard, and beet greens Fortified grains and cereals Nuts and seeds Cook up the 5 best foods for a healthy heart Tips to improve iron uptake: Spruce up your dinner with an easy, breezy drink loaded with vitamin C. Avoid tea, coffee, or high-calcium foods at the same time as iron-rich meals. Next steps: If you think you or a loved one has low iron Talk to a health care provider. Describe symptoms and bring a list

Sleep helps your body heal, strengthens your memory, and keeps your mood steady. Not sleeping well can leave you feeling tired, irritable, or sluggish. Poor sleep can also increase your risk of falls, memory problems, and other health issues. There are many reasons you might not be sleeping well. Below, we cover 6 common causes of poor sleep, how to recognize them, what tests or treatments your doctor might recommend, and simple steps you can try at home tonight. Read more: What makes you snore when you sleep Signs and symptoms you’re not sleeping well It takes a long time to fall asleep, or you wake up several times. You wake up too early and cannot go back to sleep. You feel sleepy during the day, or fall asleep doing small tasks. You need naps to get through the day. You feel forgetful, moody, or have trouble with maintaining your balance. 6 common reasons, one by one If you experience the below most days for a period of several weeks, it’s worth checking with a health provider since chronic poor sleep raises the chance of heart disease, diabetes, and depression. Natural changes in sleep timing and depth What happens: As people age, they tend to sleep lighter, and less. The body clock may shift so you feel sleepy earlier and wake earlier. You may also spend less time in deep sleep, so noise or small issues wake you more easily. These can make nights feel broken and leave you tired. What to look for: You’re going to bed earlier, but still not sleeping for 7-9 hours. You wake at every small noise. You feel tired during the day. Tests and checks: Your doctor will ask about sleep time and patterns. A sleep diary or actigraph (a watch-like device) can track sleep. If needed, a sleep clinic can study sleep stages. How to handle it: Wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Get bright light in the morning from a window, or take a walk outside. This helps reset the body clock. Limit daytime naps to 20-30 minutes only. Follow calming bedtime routines: take a warm bath, listen to soft music, practice simple breathing exercises. Medical conditions and pain that wake you up What happens: Pain from arthritis, back problems, or conditions such as Restless Legs Syndrome, digestive issues, itching, lung disease, and bladder problems can break sleep. Needing to get up to urinate at night (nocturia) is a very common cause of night wakings and daytime tiredness. What to look for: Pain that gets worse at night, heartburn after meals, coughing or shortness of breath when lying down, or multiple bathroom trips at night. Tests and checks: Your doctor may run blood tests, imaging, heart and lung exams, bladder tests, or refer you to a specialist. A bathroom diary where you note down the time you get up to pee, how long it takes, and how much urine is produced, can help figure out nocturia causes. How to handle it: Avoid drinking liquids 2-3 hours before bed. Limit caffeine and alcohol in the evening. Use night lights and sturdy footwear to reduce the risk of falling when you get up. Medicines and taking many drugs (polypharmacy) What happens: Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can cause insomnia or daytime sleepiness. Taking five or more medicines increases the chance of side effects that harm sleep. Medicines for blood pressure, mood, pain, lung disease, allergies, and even some cold pills can interfere with sleep. What to look for: New or worse sleep problems after a medicine change. Daytime drowsiness, confusion, or falls. Tests and checks: Bring a full list of all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take to your visit. Your clinician can do a medication review and look for drugs that may be need to be changed, re-timed, or stopped. How to handle it: Talk with your doctor about changing the dose or time of medicines that keep you awake. Avoid diphenhydramine (antihistamines) and similar over-the-counter sleep aids for long-term use; they can cause confusion and falls. Prescription “sleeping pills” may help short-term, but have risks. Obstructive sleep apnea: breathing pauses at night What happens: Airways getting partly or fully blocked while sleeping can make you snore loudly, choke, or gasp, which breaks sleep several times during the night. Sleep apnea becomes more common with age and raises the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and daytime sleepiness. Yet despite how common it is, many people remain undiagnosed. What to look for: Loud snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, waking up short of breath, morning headaches, or falling asleep during the day. Tests and checks: A doctor may order a sleep study. This can be an at-home breathing test or a full overnight test in a sleep lab (polysomnography). How to handle it: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most common and effective treatment. It uses a machine to deliver pressurized air through a mask, preventing the airway from collapsing during sleep. Losing weight, changing sleep position, dental devices, and in some cases surgery can help. Restless Legs Syndrome and periodic limb movement What happens: Restless Legs Syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes you to feel unpleasant sensations in your legs, and a strong urge to shake them, especially at night. Moving legs can bring short-term relief, but it may interrupt sleep or make it lighter. Low iron levels and certain medicines can trigger these issues. What to look for: Creepy, crawling, or aching feelings in the legs at night and a strong urge to move them, or a bed partner noting repeated leg jerks. Tests and checks: Your doctor may check blood iron stores and order a sleep study if movements are severe. How to handle it: If your iron levels are low, iron supplements may help. Always ask your doctor before taking any supplements. Stress, worry, and mood problems What happens: Stress, anxiety, and depression may make it hard for you

The way healthcare is delivered in the US has been evolving in recent years. A new care model, called “value-based care”, helps individuals, especially those aged 65 years and up stay as healthy as possible as they age through preventive healthcare, letting them stay on top of their health and detect things before they become an issue. Read more: Your rights as a patient What are value-based care models? Value-based care (VBC) is a form of providing healthcare in which doctors and clinics are incented based on how healthy they keep their patients. Whereas in traditional fee-for-service models, doctors are not incented to keep people healthy, but paid based upon each service that they provide to the patient. Because it values quality, evidence-based care over quantity of services, value-based care focuses on health “outcomes” or results, like keeping blood pressure under control, reducing hospital visits, reducing A1C levels in diabetics and more. This is different from the traditional fee-for-service model, where providers get paid for each visit, or each test and/or procedure they perform, regardless of the outcome. Important terms to know: Value-based healthcare: A prevention-based care model where doctors are rewarded for keeping people healthy. Fee-for-service: A model where doctors are paid for every service they provide. Quick look: Fee-for-service vs Value-based care Feature Fee-for-service Value-based care Payment The more services performed, the more the doctors get paid. Doctors are rewarded when they keep their patients healthy and keep conditions under control. Focus Quantity of care provided. Quality of care provided. Example Doctor orders several blood tests when only one is needed to ensure they didn’t miss anything or to eliminate possible causes. Doctors practice preventive evidence-based medicine to help patients stay healthy and prevent unnecessary illness as they age. Goal Treat illness when it occurs. Prevents illness, detects issues early and keeps any conditions under control.   In fee-for-service, a doctor will be paid each time they see a patient. In value-based care, the doctor doesn’t charge for each visit and is rewarded for helping the patients stay healthy or get their health under control. Click here to find an internal medicine doctor near you Why value-based care matters, especially for people on Medicare Many adults aged 65 years and up have chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or COPD. If not managed properly, these may become gateways for other health problems. To keep chronic conditions under control, you need attentive doctors and care teams, and lots of follow-up. This means they will spend more time with you during appointments and will see you more often to make sure your health is under control and stays under control through preventive screenings, immunizations, and more such as lifestyle coaching. What you get in value-based care Instead of being rushed during appointments, patients in a value-based care system get: A care team made up of your primary care physician, nurses, dietitians, care managers, specialists, and consultants. They all work together to keep you in good health. Regular check-ins and support. For instance, after prescribing a new prescription the care team will check in on you to see how you’re doing. Focus on preventing problems before they start. For example, you will receive an Annual Wellness Visit and regular check-ins throughout the year, even if you feel great, to make sure that early indicators of health are all still within normal ranges. Care providers help you manage medications, appointments, and find answers to your questions. In value-based care, they understand that your mental health and peace of mind are just as important as your physical health. How value-based care works: An example Mr. Johnson is 72 years old. He has diabetes, high blood pressure, and suffered a stroke some years ago. The last few days, he’s had more trouble than usual urinating. In a fee-for-service model: Mr. Johnson sees his doctor for 15 minutes. The meeting feels rushed, which makes Mr. Johnson anxious, and he forgets to mention the pain in his side. The doctor adjusts Mr. Johnson’s medications and tells him to return in 3 months. Mr. Johnson is not very clear about how to manage his illness at home. He has questions, but nobody at the clinic seems interested in answering them. Some days later, Mr. Johnson develops sepsis from the urinary tract infection (UTI) and ends up spending a week in the hospital. In a value-based care model: Mr. Johnson is assigned a care team. Since his diabetes is fairly advanced, his team schedules a regular appointment with an endocrinologist, as well as with a podiatrist who checks his feet for gangrene. He is equipped with a glucometer and ambulatory blood pressure monitor. These devices are connected to his clinic’s computers. This way, his care team can keep an eye on his health remotely. Because the team makes sure to remain updated on his chronic conditions, Mr. Johnson focuses on telling his doctor about the pain in his side. The doctor ascertains that it’s a UTI, and prescribes a course of treatment. His medications are monitored, and he gets plenty of guidance on how to manage his conditions. Mr. Johnson feels more in control of his health and is able to stay out of the hospital. In short, with value-based care, Mr. Johnson gets better care, less stress, and more support. Benefits of value-based care for patients More time with your doctor: Many patients report their appointments feel rushed and they don’t get a chance to properly talk to their doctor. In value-based care models, your doctor’s goal is to keep you in good health, so they give you plenty of time and listen closely to your concerns — understanding that you know your body best. A team approach: You will have an entire care team looking after you, including nurses, social workers, and specialists who work together to help you feel your best. Focus on prevention: Your care team does not want to simply treat your illness. They want to keep you from getting sick in

There are two main kinds of Medicare Advantage plans: Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). HMOs are a type of managed-care plan offered by private insurance companies. HMOs typically have lower out-of-pocket costs if you get your care from healthcare providers within the plan’s preferred network of doctors. An HMO covers all the benefits of Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), and extras, all in one plan, for generally less than you would pay out-of-pocket for Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage PPO plans. And, it puts a maximum on how much you will pay out-of-pocket every year. Download complete Medicare 101 e-book here Some things to keep in mind with a Medicare Advantage HMO Most have $0 monthly premiums, depending on your area. All you will pay is the standard Part B premium, since Part B is packaged in the plan. Monthly premiums do not increase based on age. To keep costs down, you’ll need to get care from healthcare providers within the plan’s network, except in emergencies. Some require you to see a PCP who will coordinate, communicate, and direct all of your care with specialists. Some do not require referrals to see specialists who are in the preferred network. Healthcare providers may refer individuals to specialists who are not in-network at in-network rates in certain circumstances. Some, not all, HMOs have smaller networks of providers who are selected to participate in the network. Most encourage preventive healthcare to help keep you healthy by covering entire costs or offering low copays. Some offer access to doctors who are held responsible and paid to help keep you healthy by using proven national standards that encourage medical teams (primary care doctors and specialists) to work and communicate with each other to coordinate your care. Also, you will not pay extra for more PCP visits; it’s all part of staying on top of your health to keep you healthy. Did you know? The rate of potentially avoidable hospitalizations in Medicare Advantage beneficiaries is 43% lower than Original Medicare beneficiaries. Click here to connect with a licensed, trusted Medicare Advantage broker

There are two main kinds of Medicare Advantage plans: Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). PPOs are offered by private insurance companies. This type of plan covers all the benefits of Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) with a network of preferred as well as out-of-network doctors. PPOs have higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs than HMOs. They include extras not offered with Original Medicare or Medicare Supplement, as well as extras like dental, vision, hearing aids, gym memberships, and more. Like HMOs, PPOs also limit how much you pay every year, but your out-of-pocket maximum will generally be higher with a PPO plan. Download complete Medicare 101 e-book here Some things to keep in mind with a Medicare Advantage PPO Monthly premiums and out-of-pockets are higher than Medicare Advantage HMOs. (Most HMO plans have a $0 monthly premium. However, you will be required to pay the standard Part B premium since Part B comes packaged in the plan.) PPOs have higher deductibles than HMOs. You must pay these before the plan’s coverage starts. Monthly premiums do not increase based on age. You can choose to get care at in-network or out-of-network doctors. Note: Out-of-network providers will cost more. In some areas, the difference between a PPO preferred network and HMO network is not a lot. Most PPOs don’t require a designated primary care physician, so you don’t have anyone to oversee all of your healthcare needs. You will be responsible for managing and coordinating your care, and for identifying your specialists. Healthcare providers are not held responsible for delivering care based on national standards and evidence-based medicine. Did you know? A December 2021 survey from Morning Consult reported that Medicare Advantage has a 94% consumer satisfaction rating.In fact, 98% of people elect to stay in a Medicare Advantage plan upon renewal. Click here to connect with a licensed, trusted Medicare Advantage broker

Medicare Supplement insurance, sometimes called Medigap, is extra insurance you can buy from a private health insurance company to supplement the coverage not provided by Original Medicare. Medigap helps pay your share of out-of-pocket costs that come with Original Medicare plans. It does not offer many of the added benefits that usually come with most Medicare Advantage plans, like prescription drugs, dental, and vision. Generally, you must have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to buy a Medicare Supplement plan. You are not eligible to purchase a Medigap plan if you have Part C Medicare Advantage. Download complete Medicare 101 e-book here Some things to think about with Medicare Supplement You will pay a monthly premium for Medicare Supplement insurance. This is in addition to the premium you pay for Medicare Part B. Most plans help pay your share of costs (like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) without a yearly out-of-pocket maximum. This means your out-of-pocket costs are usually much lower and more predictable, but how much you pay in a year still depends on your medical needs and the Medigap plan you chose. Medigap plans generally don’t cover long-term care (like care in a nursing home), private nursing duty, vision, dental care, or hearing aids. You can see any provider who accepts Medicare, but most Medicare Supplement plans do not cover costs if the provider wants to charge more than what Medicare will reimburse. You will be responsible for paying 100% of these ‘excess charges’ out of your own pocket. Some plan premiums may increase as you age. Doctors are generally not paid to help keep you healthy by providing care based on proven national quality standards. Doctors generally do not work together to coordinate and discuss care plans. Did you know? Most Medigap plans don’t cover prescription drugs. To get medication coverage, you’ll usually need a separate Part D plan. Click here to connect with a licensed, trusted Medicare Advantage broker

Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs, including many recommended shots and vaccines. If you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you can buy a standalone Part D plan from a private insurance company to cover the cost of your prescription drugs. Most Medicare Advantage, or Part C, plans have Part D built in. Download complete Medicare 101 e-book here Some things to think about with Medicare Part D Part D plans charge a monthly premium, which can vary by plan. You’ll also have costs like deductibles and copayments. Each plan has its own drug list (called a formulary), so make sure the plan you choose covers the prescriptions you take. Check if your local pharmacy is in the plan’s network. Using preferred pharmacies may save you money. Part D plans can change their costs and drug lists every year. It’s a good idea to review your coverage during Medicare’s Open Enrollment (October 15–December 7). Did you know? Part D carries a late enrollment penalty. If you don’t sign up when you become eligible for Medicare in your 65th year, and you don’t already have other creditable drug coverage (like from an employer or union plan), Medicare will add a late enrollment penalty to your Part D premium. This penalty is permanent; you will have to pay it every month for as long as you have Part D. Click here to connect with a licensed, trusted Medicare Advantage broker

Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is a Medicare-approved plan offered by private insurance companies. It’s an alternative to Original Medicare and offers everything that Original Medicare does and more, usually at no extra cost. Medicare Advantage plans include Part A and Part B of Original Medicare. Most also have Part D prescription benefits built in, and most offer extras such as vision, dental, hearing aids, transportation, and more. Medicare Advantage plans usually have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare and some (mostly PPOs) have an additional premium. Monthly premiums for Part C are not identical across the board. Depending on the insurance company, type of plan, and where you live, your premium could be as low as $0. (Note: You will still have to pay the standard Part B premium, since Part B comes packaged in Part C plans.) Download complete Medicare 101 e-book here Some things to think about with Part C Medicare Advantage Some Medicare Advantage plans now offer additional extra benefits to help with meals, transportation, over-the-counter medications, housing, and more. Offers a covered Annual Wellness Visit (every year) to help ensure that you’re maintaining your health. Some Medicare Advantage plans incent doctors who provide quality care that helps keep you healthy. This type of care is called value-based care. The purpose is to stay on top of your health and better manage conditions and symptoms, while keeping overall healthcare costs down. Medicare Advantage beneficiaries report spending less annually in total healthcare spending compared to individuals on Original Medicare or Fee-for-Service plans. Medicare Advantage has a 12-month trial period. The trial period gives you a chance to try out the benefits of a specific Medicare Advantage plan to see if it’s right for you. You’re eligible for this trial if you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan when you were 65 years old or if you initially enrolled in Original Medicare and Medigap, but then decided to switch to Medicare Advantage. Just ask a Medicare licensed broker how it works. Did you know? 95% of Medicare Advantage members are satisfied with their plan. Click here to connect with a licensed, trusted Medicare Advantage broker

Part B, also called medical insurance, is part of Original Medicare (the government’s Fee-for-Service program). It helps cover services from doctors and other healthcare providers, such as outpatient care, lab tests, and some home health care. Part B also covers durable medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds, and many preventive services like screenings and shots. All Medicare Advantage plans must include standard Part B coverage. Download complete Medicare 101 e-book here Some things to think about with Part B Part B is optional. You are not required to enroll in it, but most people do choose to get it because it covers care costs that Part A (hospital insurance) does not cover. You will pay a monthly premium. For 2026, the premium is projected to start at $206.50/month. Exact figures will be announced by the CMS on September 30, 2025. There is no maximum out-of-pocket limit, so there is no limit to how much you will pay annually for care. This means if you have a lot of doctor visits, tests, or long hospital stays, your costs (deductibles, coinsurance, copayments) can keep adding up. There is no maximum limit where Medicare says, “You’ve paid enough, now we’ll cover 100%.” You will pay 20% coinsurance for your care. Part B offers an initial preventive exam when you join Medicare. However, it does not cover an Annual Wellness Visit which is covered in Medicare Advantage plans. Part B does not cover prescription drugs. If you want prescription drug coverage you will have to buy a Medicare Part D drug plan or select a Medicare Advantage plan. You can see any health care provider who accepts Original Medicare. (Note: Not all doctors accept Original Medicare. Before your visit, always ask if the doctor takes Medicare. If they don’t, you may have to pay the full cost yourself.) Par B does not cover costs a healthcare provider may charge if they want to charge more than what the government (Medicare) agrees to pay for care. Doctors are paid for the volume of services they provide. They are not incented to help keep you healthy by providing care based on proven national quality standards, although some may participate in a Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) that will reward them for keeping their patients healthier. Doctors generally do not work together to coordinate and discuss care plans. Did you know? Many people do not know that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn’t cover everything. You can purchase a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan to help cover what Original Medicare doesn’t cover. But even Medicare Supplement plans with 100% coverage do not cover everything. Click here to connect with a licensed, trusted Medicare Advantage broker

When you turn 65, you may be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) if you’re already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits. If not, you will need to sign up. Medicare Part A is healthcare coverage managed by the federal government. It provides essential protection against the high cost of hospital care. It helps cover inpatient care in hospitals and care at skilled nursing facilities, hospice and home health. Coverage for hospital stays includes room, meals, general nursing care, and medications that are part of your inpatient treatment. If you need short-term rehabilitation after a hospital stay, Part A may cover services in a skilled nursing facility, and limited home health services if you meet specific requirements, but it does not cover long-term custodial care. All Medicare Advantage plans must include standard Part A coverage. Download complete Medicare 101 e-book here Some things to think about with Medicare Part A Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A. This is because you or a spouse paid Medicare taxes while working. If you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A, you may be able to buy it. However, even $0-premium Part A requires you to pay a deductible. This is a set dollar amount that is fixed for each year: for 2026, the Part A deductible is projected to be $1,716/benefit period. You pay the deductible for services used before Medicare begins covering hospital expenses. For example, if you fall, get injured, and need to stay in the hospital, you’ll first pay the Part A deductible of $1, 716 to cover care costs. After you meet that deductible, Medicare Part A will cover the approved costs of your hospital stay for up to 60 days in that benefit period. Note: Remember to check back on September 30, 2025, when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) announce exact figures for 2026. You will have to pay daily coinsurance after a certain number of days. Generally, days 1-60 have no coinsurance as long as you have paid the deductible. From day 61 to day 90, you will pay the necessary per-day coinsurance. After 90 days, you can use “lifetime reserve days”, which cost more. Part A coinsurance for 2026 Days Amount 1-60 $0 61-90 $429/day 91-150 (Lifetime reserve days) $858/day 150+ You pay all costs in full   Note: These are projected figures. Remember to check back on September 30, 2025, when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) announce exact figures for 2026. Did you know?Lifetime reserve days are a special safety net built into Part A hospital coverage for very long hospitalizations. These are 60 days you can use after you have spent 90 days in hospital. Lifetime reserve days can be used only once in your lifetime. Example: You are hospitalized for 95 days straight The first 90 days are covered under regular Part A rules. For days 91–95, you would use 5 of your 60 lifetime reserve days. That leaves you with 55 lifetime reserve days to use for future hospital stays. Click here to connect with a licensed, trusted Medicare Advantage broker