What Does Medicare Part A Cover?

What Part A covers in 2026 and what it leaves out. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP.

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Quick answer

Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying hospital stay, hospice care, and limited home health care. Most people pay no premium, but a $1,736 deductible applies per benefit period in 2026 (CMS).

Part A is your hospital insurance under Medicare. Here is exactly what it pays for and where its limits are.

What does Part A pay for?

Part A covers four main areas. Inpatient hospital care includes your room, meals, nursing, and treatment during an admitted stay. Skilled nursing facility care is covered up to 100 days per benefit period after a qualifying 3-day inpatient stay, with coinsurance after day 20. Hospice care covers comfort and support for the terminally ill. And limited home health care covers skilled services like part-time nursing or physical therapy at home. Knowing these categories helps you anticipate costs. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP for a clear walkthrough of your hospital coverage.

What are Part A's limits and gaps?

Part A does not cover long-term custodial care, the day-to-day help with bathing, dressing, and eating that many seniors eventually need. It also charges a $1,736 deductible per benefit period in 2026, and you can owe it more than once a year. Long hospital stays trigger daily coinsurance after day 60. These costs add up, which is why Medicare Supplement (MEDIGAP) plans, which cover the Part A deductible and coinsurance, are so popular. A licensed agent at 1-800-MEDIGAP can explain how to protect against big hospital bills.

More on Medicare Basics & Enrollment

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Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare Part A cover hospital stays?+

Yes. Part A is hospital insurance and covers inpatient stays, including your semi-private room, meals, general nursing, and medications and services during the admission. You pay a $1,736 deductible per benefit period in 2026, which a MEDIGAP plan can cover (CMS).

Does Part A cover surgery?+

Part A covers surgery performed during an inpatient hospital admission, including the facility costs. The surgeon's professional fee is usually billed under Part B. If your surgery is outpatient, Part B covers it. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP to understand which part applies.

Does Medicare Part A cover hospice?+

Yes. Part A covers hospice care for people who are terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less, including pain relief, symptom management, and support services. There is little to no cost for most hospice care. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP with questions.

Does Part A cover home health care?+

Part A covers limited, medically necessary home health services such as part-time skilled nursing and physical or occupational therapy when you are homebound and a doctor orders it. It does not cover 24-hour care or homemaker services. A licensed agent at 1-800-MEDIGAP can clarify.

Does Part A cover long-term care?+

No. Part A does not cover long-term custodial care, the ongoing help with daily activities most nursing-home residents need. It only covers short-term skilled care. Planning for long-term care requires separate solutions; call 1-800-MEDIGAP to discuss your options.

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