Last updated: October 8, 2026
Part A is the hospital insurance portion of Original Medicare.
It helps pay for qualifying inpatient care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and certain home health services. Original Medicare includes Parts A and B; Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, is separate insurance that can help pay some of your share of covered costs.
What does Part A cover?
- Inpatient hospital care: A semi-private room, meals, nursing, and other covered services during a medically necessary inpatient admission. Staying overnight for observation does not necessarily make you an inpatient.
- Skilled nursing facility care: Short-term skilled care when Medicare's conditions are met. Original Medicare generally requires a qualifying inpatient hospital stay of at least 3 days in a row, not counting the day you leave the hospital; observation time does not count. Certain exceptions apply. Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care alone.
- Hospice: Care focused on comfort and symptom management when you meet eligibility requirements and elect the hospice benefit.
- Home health services: Certain part-time or intermittent skilled services when you meet Medicare's requirements.
Part A costs for 2027
2027 cost update: As of October 8, 2026, final 2027 Part A premiums, deductibles, and daily coinsurance amounts were not available in the official sources reviewed. Check Medicare's latest costs and confirm the year shown.
In Original Medicare, the hospital deductible applies to each benefit period, not just once a year. A benefit period starts with an inpatient hospital or skilled nursing facility admission and ends after 60 consecutive days without inpatient hospital care or skilled care in a skilled nursing facility.
After the hospital deductible, days 1-60 have no daily hospital coinsurance. Daily charges apply for days 61-90 and for lifetime reserve days after day 90. You have 60 lifetime reserve days in total; after those are used, you pay all costs. For covered skilled nursing facility care, days 1-20 have no daily coinsurance, days 21-100 have daily coinsurance, and you pay all costs after day 100.
Who pays a Part A premium?
Most people qualify for premium-free Part A based on their own or a spouse's Medicare-covered work, usually at least 40 quarters. People who must buy Part A pay a monthly premium based on their work history and generally must also enroll in Part B. Premium-free does not mean all care is free.
Who is eligible?
Medicare generally serves people age 65 and older, plus certain younger people with disabilities, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS. Citizenship, nationality, immigration status, work history, and other requirements also apply. The 2027 handbook describes updated status requirements on page 9; Social Security can confirm your eligibility.
When do you enroll?
Some people receive Medicare automatically through Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. Others must apply. For most people turning 65, the Initial Enrollment Period includes the three months before their birthday month, the birthday month, and the three months after. Check your enrollment status before turning 65. Delaying coverage can affect costs and eligibility for enrollment periods.
Read Medicare & You 2027, pages 9, 15-23, and 27-32. Contact our office for help understanding your Medicare coverage options.