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.
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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.
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