Medicare Hospital Coverage: What Part A Covers

Hospital stays are among the most expensive healthcare events. Understanding how Medicare Part A covers hospitalizations helps you avoid surprise bills and plan for costs.

!A hospital building, representing the Medicare hospital coverage guide

What Medicare Part A Covers

> About 54% of beneficiaries are in Medicare Advantage and ~46% in Original Medicare — and hospital cost-sharing works differently under each. (Source: CMS / KFF, 2024.)

Medicare Part A is your hospital insurance. It covers:

Inpatient Hospital Care

• Semi-private room
• Meals
• General nursing care
• Drugs administered during your stay
• Lab tests, X-rays, and other diagnostic tests
• Operating and recovery room costs
• Medical supplies and equipment

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Care

After a qualifying hospital stay (at least 3 consecutive days), Part A covers:

• Semi-private room
• Meals
• Skilled nursing and rehabilitation services
• Medical supplies and equipment

Home Health Care

When medically necessary:

• Part-time skilled nursing care
• Physical therapy
• Speech-language pathology
• Occupational therapy

Hospice Care

For terminally ill patients who choose comfort care:

• Medical and support services
• Drugs for symptom control
• Respite care for caregivers

Part A Costs in 2025

Understanding Part A's cost structure is crucial for financial planning:

The Part A Deductible

• Amount: $1,676 per benefit period in 2025
• When it applies: Each time you're admitted to a hospital after 60 days without inpatient care
• Important: This isn't annual—multiple hospitalizations can trigger multiple deductibles

Hospital Coinsurance

• Days 1-60: $0 after deductible
• Days 61-90: $419 per day
• Days 91-150 (Lifetime Reserve): $838 per day
• Beyond 150 days: You pay 100%

SNF Coinsurance

• Days 1-20: $0
• Days 21-100: $209.50 per day
• Beyond 100 days: Not covered

What Part A Doesn't Cover

Important exclusions to understand:

• Long-term custodial care: Nursing home care for daily living assistance
• Private rooms: Unless medically necessary
• Private-duty nursing: Unless medically necessary
• Personal convenience items: TV, phone, private nurses
• Procedures not medically necessary: Cosmetic surgery
• Care outside the U.S.: With limited exceptions

Filling the Gaps

Original Medicare's hospital coverage has significant cost exposure. Options to cover gaps include:

Medigap (Medicare Supplement)

• Plan G and other Medigap plans cover Part A coinsurance
• Most plans cover the Part A deductible completely
• Provides predictable costs even for extended hospitalizations

Medicare Advantage

• Required annual out-of-pocket maximum caps hospital costs
• May have lower per-day costs than Original Medicare
• Network restrictions apply

The Bottom Line

Part A provides solid foundation coverage for hospital stays, but the cost-sharing for extended stays can add up quickly. Whether through Medigap or Medicare Advantage's out-of-pocket cap, having protection against these costs provides financial security.

Need help understanding your hospital coverage options? Our free Medicare review compares how different plans protect you against hospital costs.

Next steps: Take our 2-minute Medicare plan quiz, book a free Medicare review, or see our Medicare costs guide.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.