Medicare Part A costs
Most people pay no premium for Part A. In 2026 the hospital deductible is $1,736 for each benefit period, up from $1,676 in 2025.
2027 is not out yet. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has not published the 2027 Part A amounts. It released the 2026 figures on November 14, 2025. This page shows 2026 until the 2027 fact sheet is published.
| Part A cost | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital deductible, each benefit period | $1,676 | $1,736 |
| Hospital stay, days 1 to 60, each day | $0 | $0 |
| Hospital stay, days 61 to 90, each day | $419 | $434 |
| Hospital stay, days 91 to 150 (lifetime reserve days), each day | $838 | $868 |
| Skilled nursing facility, days 21 to 100, each day | $209.50 | $217 |
The Part A premium
The premium is $0 for most people, because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes long enough while working, generally at least 10 years. People who do not qualify may be able to buy Part A. In 2026 they pay either $311 or $565 a month, depending on how long they or their spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes. To buy Part A you also have to sign up for Part B.
How benefit periods work
You pay the Part A deductible each time you start a new benefit period. There is no limit to the number of benefit periods in a year, so the deductible can be paid more than once. After day 150 of a hospital stay you pay all costs.
Skilled nursing, home health and hospice
In a skilled nursing facility, days 1 to 20 cost $0 each day and you pay all costs from day 101. Covered home health care and hospice care cost $0, apart from 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for durable medical equipment and a copayment of up to $5 for each hospice prescription for pain relief and symptom control.
No yearly cap
Original Medicare has no yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket for Part A, unless you have supplemental coverage such as a Medigap policy or you join a Medicare Advantage plan.
Check our work
Every figure on this page was read from these official documents. Follow the links and compare.
- CostsMedicare.gov. Read on November 12, 2026.
- 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and DeductiblesCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read on November 12, 2026.