Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice services, and some home health care. This includes your semi-private room, meals, nursing care, medications during your stay, and necessary hospital supplies.
Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A because they or their spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, qualifying them for premium-free coverage.
If you haven’t met the work requirement, you can still purchase Part A, but premiums apply. In 2026, if you worked between 30 and 39 quarters, the monthly premium is $311. If you worked fewer than 30 quarters, you’ll pay the full premium of $565 per month.
To buy Part A, you must also have or enroll in Part B. If you have limited income, financial assistance programs may help reduce or cover these costs. Understanding your eligibility is crucial to avoid unnecessary premiums while ensuring you have essential hospital coverage when you need it most.