Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) is one of 4 parts of Medicare. Medicare Part A provides coverage for health expenses associated with inpatient hospital stays, SNF care, inpatient care, hospice care, and home health care.
Here is an explanation of Medicare Part A coverage and enrollment details.
Explore Plan OptionsInpatient care: This involves services you receive in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, rehab facility, or psychiatric facility. The coverage includes:
- General nursing
- Semi-private rooms
- Meals
- Medical social services
- Drugs that you take during a stay
- Dietary counseling
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Hospice: If you have a life expectancy of 6 months or less. Part A covers hospice care, including:
- Pain management medications
- Medical and nursing services
- Durable medical equipment
- Symptom management
- Social services
- Nurse aide services
- Grief counseling
Home healthcare: This care is covered by both Medicare Part A and Part B. On several occasions, a home health company will manage the services for you. Coverage includes:
- Medical social services
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Part-time nursing care
- Injectable osteoporosis drug
- Part-time home health aide services
Eligibility for Medicare Part A
Americans aged 65 and older are eligible to enroll for Part A. Those under 65 with disabilities and qualifying diseases such as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are also eligible. You may get premium-free Medicare Part A if you or your spouse have worked ten years and paid Medicare payroll taxes during that period.
If you cannot get premium-free Part A, you will pay a monthly premium.
What Does Medicare Part A Cost?
As long as you or your spouse have worked for at least ten years (40 quarters) and paid Medicare taxes, your premium for Part A will be free. That is not to say you can walk into a hospital to receive free health care. You are still required to pay a deductible, which is $1,736 for each benefit period in 2026.
Also, if you don't automatically qualify for a premium-free Medicare Part A, your monthly premium for 2026 is $565 if you have worked less than 30 quarters. You will pay $311 a month if you have worked between 30 to 39 quarters and paid Medicare taxes.
Would you like to know more about Medicare Part A and how it can benefit you? Contact Simple Retirement Benefits today to speak with a licensed Medicare expert.