Part A Premiums 2026
Whether you pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A depends on how long you (or your spouse) worked and paid Medicare taxes. Most beneficiaries pay nothing.
| Work History (Quarters) | 2025 Monthly Premium | 2026 Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 40+ quarters (10+ years) | $0 | $0/month |
| 30–39 quarters (7.5–10 years) | $278/month | $311/month |
| Fewer than 30 quarters (<7.5 years) | $505/month | $566/month |
Note: Even with a $0 premium, you are not immune to Part A costs. If you are hospitalized, you pay the inpatient deductible of $1,736 per benefit period, plus daily coinsurance for extended stays.
Hospital Inpatient Deductible & Coinsurance 2026
The Part A deductible is per benefit period, not per year. If you have multiple hospital admissions in a year separated by 60+ days, you could pay the deductible more than once.
| Hospital Stay | 2025 Cost | 2026 Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Inpatient Deductible (per benefit period) | $1,676 | $1,736 |
| Days 1–60 coinsurance | $0/day | $0/day |
| Days 61–90 coinsurance | $419/day | $434/day |
| Lifetime reserve days (days 91+) | $838/day | $868/day |
| Beyond lifetime reserve days | All costs | All costs |
For most hospital stays (under 60 days in a benefit period), you only pay the $1,736 deductible. Days 61–90 cost an additional $434/day. Beyond 90 days, you use your 60 lifetime reserve days at $868/day — these are one-time days that never reset.
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Costs 2026
Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing facility care when medically necessary (e.g., after a qualifying hospital stay of at least 3 days). Coverage is limited to 100 days per benefit period.
| SNF Stay Days | 2025 Daily Cost | 2026 Daily Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–20 | $0 | $0/day |
| Days 21–100 | $209.50/day | $217.50/day |
| Days 101 and beyond | All costs | All costs |
SNF example: A 45-day skilled nursing stay in 2026 would cost: $0 for days 1–20, then $217.50/day × 25 days = $5,437.50. Total out-of-pocket: $5,437.50 (not including the prior hospital deductible). Medigap Plan G covers SNF coinsurance.
What Medicare Part A Covers
Inpatient Hospital Care
- Semi-private room and board
- Nursing care
- Meals and medications during stay
- Operating room and recovery room
- Intensive care
- Most hospital services and supplies
Skilled Nursing Facility Care
- Requires 3-day qualifying hospital stay
- Must be medically necessary skilled care
- Semi-private room and meals
- Physical/occupational/speech therapy
- Medical supplies and medications
Home Health Care
- Must be homebound and need skilled care
- Part-time skilled nursing
- Physical, occupational, speech therapy
- Home health aide services (limited)
- Medical social services
Hospice Care
- Terminal illness, 6-month prognosis
- Doctor-certified comfort-focused care
- Pain and symptom management
- Nursing, aide, and counselor visits
- Prescription drugs for terminal illness
Understanding the Benefit Period
The Medicare benefit period is the key concept for understanding how Part A deductibles work. Unlike the Part B deductible which resets annually, the Part A deductible is triggered each benefit period.
Benefit period definition: Starts on the day you are admitted as a hospital inpatient. Ends when you have been out of a hospital and skilled nursing facility for 60 consecutive days.
Example Scenarios
| Scenario | Benefit Periods | Total Deductible Paid |
|---|---|---|
| One hospital stay in January, fully recovered by March | 1 | $1,736 |
| Two separate hospital stays, 70+ days apart | 2 | $3,472 |
| Hospital stay in January, readmitted within 60 days | 1 | $1,736 (same period) |
| Three hospitalizations, each 60+ days apart | 3 | $5,208 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people pay $0 per month for Medicare Part A in 2026. This is available to those who worked 40+ quarters (10 years) and paid Medicare taxes. Beneficiaries with 30–39 quarters pay $311/month, and those with fewer than 30 quarters pay $566/month.
The $1,736 Part A deductible is per benefit period, not per calendar year. A benefit period starts when you're admitted to a hospital and ends after 60 consecutive days without inpatient hospital or SNF care. If you have multiple hospital stays in a year separated by 60+ days, you could pay the $1,736 deductible multiple times.
No. Medicare Part A only covers skilled nursing facility care (up to 100 days per benefit period) when medically necessary. It does not cover custodial care or long-term nursing home stays for help with daily activities. Long-term care insurance or Medicaid typically covers extended nursing home stays.
Yes. Medicare Savings Programs can help low-income beneficiaries pay Medicare costs. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program pays Part A and Part B premiums and cost-sharing. The Specified Low-Income Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI) programs help with Part B premiums. Use our Savings Program Eligibility Calculator to check eligibility.
For hospital stays beyond 90 days in a benefit period, you can use your lifetime reserve days. You have 60 lifetime reserve days total (not per period). In 2026, each lifetime reserve day costs $868 in coinsurance. Once all 60 are used, Medicare pays nothing for additional hospital days in that or future benefit periods.
Yes, most popular Medigap plans cover the $1,736 Part A deductible. Plan G (the most popular for new enrollees) covers it fully. Plan D and Plan N also cover the Part A deductible. Plans K and L provide partial coverage (50% and 75% respectively). Compare Medigap plan coverage →
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Disclaimer: MedicareBudget provides Medicare cost calculators and educational information for informational purposes only. This is not medical advice, legal advice, or a substitute for licensed professional guidance. Medicare premiums, deductibles, and program details change annually — always verify current figures at Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Contact: contact@medicarebudget.net