Original Medicare

Medicare Part A

Part A is the hospital half of Original Medicare. If you (or a spouse) paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, you've already paid for it — there's no monthly premium.

$0/moPremium for most—if you worked 40+ quarters

$1,7362026 deductible per benefit period

100 daysMaximum skilled nursing coverage

What Medicare Part A Covers

Part A pays for inpatient care — the kind you get when you're admitted overnight.

Hospital Stays

Inpatient care when a doctor admits you overnight, including semi-private rooms, meals, and general nursing.

Skilled Nursing Facility

Up to 100 days of skilled nursing care after a qualifying 3-day hospital stay (with cost-sharing after Day 20).

Hospice Care

Comfort and end-of-life care for terminally ill patients, including pain management and family support.

Home Health Care

Limited part-time skilled nursing or therapy at home, when ordered by your doctor.

What Part A Actually Costs You (2026)

The longer you stay in the hospital, the more you pay. There is no out-of-pocket maximum.

Days 1–60

$1,736 deductible (per benefit period)

Days 61–90

$434 / day — you pay

Days 91–150

$868 / day — you pay (lifetime reserve)

After Day 150

100% of bill — you pay

SNF Days 1–20

$0 (after qualifying 3-day hospital stay)

SNF Days 21–100

$217 / day — you pay

SNF After Day 100

NO COVERAGE — Medicare pays $0

The biggest gap most seniors miss

After Day 100 of skilled nursing, Medicare pays nothing. The average cost is $8,000–$12,000 per month, and 70% of seniors will need this care at some point. That's why Recovery Care coverage matters so much.

Not sure which plan is right for you?

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