Medicare Part A Costs in 2026
Part A is the hospital side of Medicare. Most people pay no premium for it, but it is not free — there is a deductible for each benefit period and daily coinsurance for long stays. Here are the 2026 numbers.
The Part A premium
Most people pay $0 for Part A because they or their spouse paid Medicare payroll taxes for at least 40 quarters (about 10 years) of work. If you do not have enough work credits, you can still buy Part A by paying a monthly premium, which is reduced if you have 30–39 quarters.
The hospital deductible and coinsurance
- Deductible: $1,736 per benefit period (covers your first 60 inpatient days)
- Days 61–90: $434 per day
- Lifetime reserve days (91+): $868 per day
- Skilled nursing facility, days 21–100: $217 per day
Because the deductible applies per benefit period rather than per year, a second hospitalization after a 60-day break means a second deductible. This is one of the gaps that a Medigap policy is designed to cover.
What Part A covers
Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying stay, hospice, and some home health care. It does not cover long-term custodial care or doctor services — those fall under Part B. For the full picture of what you pay, see the Medicare costs hub and our deductibles and copays page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medicare Part A free?
Most people pay no monthly premium for Part A because they (or a spouse) paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters. But Part A still has a deductible and coinsurance when you are hospitalized.
What is the Part A hospital deductible for 2026?
The 2026 Part A inpatient hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period, covering your share of the first 60 days of a hospital stay.
What is a benefit period?
A benefit period begins the day you are admitted as an inpatient and ends after you have been out of the hospital or a skilled nursing facility for 60 days in a row. You can have more than one benefit period in a year, and the deductible applies to each.
Talk to a Licensed Medicare Advisor
Get a free, no-obligation review of your Medicare options from a licensed advisor.
Get My Free ReviewThis information is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or insurance advice. Medicare rules, premiums, and income thresholds change annually — confirm current figures with Medicare.gov, the Social Security Administration, or a licensed advisor. HealthPlan Connect is not affiliated with or endorsed by the federal Medicare program or any government agency. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by Lynsey Brennan, Licensed Medicare Advisor (FL #G007269).