Medicare Part A Deductible 2026

What the $1,736 hospital deductible covers, and why it can hit more than once a year.

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Quick answer

The 2026 Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period, up $60 from $1,676 in 2025. Unlike an annual deductible, it can apply more than once a year if you have separate benefit periods, per CMS.gov.

The 2026 Part A deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. Here is the catch most people miss.

How does the 2026 Part A deductible work?

The Medicare Part A deductible for 2026 is $1,736 per benefit period, up $60 from $1,676 in 2025. Unlike the Part B deductible, which is annual, the Part A deductible is charged per benefit period. A benefit period starts the day you are admitted as an inpatient and ends after you have been out of a hospital or skilled nursing facility for 60 consecutive days. If you are readmitted after a new benefit period begins, you pay the $1,736 deductible again — meaning you could owe it more than once in a single year.

What are the 2026 Part A hospital costs after the deductible?

After you pay the $1,736 deductible, Medicare covers your inpatient hospital stay in full for days 1-60 of each benefit period. For days 61-90, you owe a coinsurance of $434 per day. Beyond 90 days, you tap into 60 lifetime reserve days at $868 per day each. Skilled nursing facility care is fully covered for days 1-20, then costs $217.00 per day for days 21-100. A Medigap plan can cover these Part A deductibles and coinsurance amounts, protecting you from large hospital bills. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP (1-800-633-4427) to learn how.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Medicare Part A deductible for 2026?+

The 2026 Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period, an increase of $60 from $1,676 in 2025. You pay it each time you are admitted in a new benefit period, not once per year like the Part B deductible.

Can I pay the Part A deductible more than once a year?+

Yes. The $1,736 Part A deductible applies per benefit period, not per year. A new benefit period begins if you are admitted after 60 consecutive days out of a hospital or skilled nursing facility, so multiple admissions can mean paying it more than once.

What are Part A hospital costs after the deductible in 2026?+

After the $1,736 deductible, days 1-60 are fully covered. Days 61-90 cost $434 per day, and lifetime reserve days cost $868 per day. Skilled nursing facility days 21-100 cost $217.00 per day in 2026.

Does Medigap cover the Part A deductible?+

Yes. Most Medigap plans, including popular Plan G and Plan N, cover the $1,736 Part A hospital deductible and the daily hospital coinsurance. This protects you from large inpatient bills. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP (1-800-633-4427) to compare plans and prices.

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