What Part A covers
Medicare Part A is often called "hospital insurance" because it primarily covers care you receive as an inpatient. Here's what's included:
- Inpatient hospital stays — Semi-private room, meals, nursing care, drugs administered during your stay, and other hospital services and supplies.
- Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care — Up to 100 days per benefit period following a qualifying 3-day hospital stay. Covers semi-private room, meals, skilled nursing, therapy, and supplies.
- Hospice care — Pain relief, symptom management, and support services for people who are terminally ill. Includes drugs for symptom control, respite care, and counseling.
- Home health care — Part-time or intermittent skilled nursing and home health aide services, physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, and medical social services.
- Inpatient care in a religious nonmedical health care institution — If you qualify and choose this type of care.
Important: Part A does not cover long-term custodial care (help with bathing, dressing, eating). It only covers skilled care that requires medical professionals. Long-term care insurance is a separate product.
Part A costs in 2026
Most people don't pay a monthly premium for Part A because they (or their spouse) paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years) while working.
| Cost | 2026 Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly premium (40+ quarters) | $0 |
| Monthly premium (30–39 quarters) | $311 |
| Monthly premium (fewer than 30 quarters) | $565 |
| Inpatient hospital deductible (per benefit period) | $1,736 |
| Hospital coinsurance — days 1–60 | $0 |
| Hospital coinsurance — days 61–90 | $434/day |
| Hospital coinsurance — 60 lifetime reserve days | $868/day |
| Skilled nursing facility — days 1–20 | $0 |
| Skilled nursing facility — days 21–100 | $217/day |
Good to know: A "benefit period" begins when you're admitted to a hospital and ends when you haven't received inpatient care for 60 consecutive days. You can have multiple benefit periods in a year — and the deductible applies to each one.
How to enroll
If you're already receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 65, you'll be automatically enrolled in Part A. If not, you can sign up through Social Security:
- Online at ssa.gov
- By phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
- In person at your local Social Security office in Colorado
There's generally no penalty for late enrollment in Part A if you qualify for Part A with no premium. However, if you have to pay a premium for Part A and don't sign up when first eligible, you may pay a 10% penalty.
What Part A doesn't cover
- Long-term (custodial) care
- Most dental, vision, and hearing care
- Dentures
- Cosmetic surgery
- Acupuncture (with some exceptions)
- Most care received outside the United States
- Routine foot care
Frequently asked questions
What does Medicare Part A cover?
Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care (up to 100 days), hospice care, and some home health services.
How much does Part A cost in 2026?
Most people pay $0 for the Part A premium if they have 40+ work credits. The inpatient hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period in 2026.
