Medicare Part A can help provide coverage for hospital stays. You’ll still be responsible for deductibles and coinsurance.
A stay at the hospital can make for one hefty bill. Without insurance, a single night there could cost thousands of dollars. Having insurance can help reduce that cost.
If you’re eligible for Medicare, Medicare Part A can provide some coverage for inpatient care and significantly reduce costs for extended hospital stays. But in order to receive the full scope of benefits, you may need to pay a portion of the bill.
Keep reading to learn about Medicare Part A, hospital costs, and more.
Medicare Part A, the first part of Original Medicare, is hospital insurance. It typically covers inpatient surgeries, bloodwork and diagnostics, and hospital stays.
- blood transfusions, when done during a hospital stay
- limited skilled nursing facility care
- limited home healthcare
- hospice care
If admitted into a hospital, Medicare Part A will help pay for:
- the hospital room
- nursing services
- meals
- medications
- medical supplies
- durable medical equipment used while in hospital care, like wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches
- diagnostic testing
- rehabilitation services provided while an inpatient
Even with insurance, you’ll still have to pay a portion of the hospital bill, along with premiums, deductibles, and other costs that are adjusted every year.
In 2024, the Medicare Part A deductible is $1,632 per benefit period.
Medicare Part A deductible
Unlike some deductibles, the Medicare Part A deductible applies to each benefit period. This means it applies to the length of time you’ve been admitted into the hospital through 60 consecutive days after you’ve been out of the hospital.
So, if you’re discharged from the hospital and return within the 60-day period, you don’t need to pay another deductible.
If you’re admitted after the 60-day period, then you’ve started another benefit period, and you will be expected to pay another deductible.
Medicare Part A coinsurance
Once the deductible is paid fully, Medicare will cover the remainder of hospital care costs for up to 60 days after being admitted.
In 2024, if you need to stay longer than 60 days within the same benefit period, you’ll be required to pay a daily coinsurance of $408.
This coinsurance applies to an additional 30-day period — or days 61 through 90 if counted consecutively. After 90 days, you’ve exhausted the Medicare benefits within the current benefit period. At that point, it’s up to you to pay for any other costs unless you elect to use your lifetime reserve days.
A more comprehensive breakdown of costs can be found below.
Breakdown of deductible and coinsurance fees
| 2024 Medicare Part A deductible and coinsurance fees | |
| Inpatient hospital deductible (first 60 days of inpatient stay and services) | $1,632 |
| Daily coinsurance (days 61–90) | $408. |
| Daily coinsurance for lifetime reserve days (60 additional days) | $816 |
Medicare provides an additional 60 days of coverage beyond the 90 days of covered inpatient care within a benefit period. These 60 days are known as lifetime reserve days.
Lifetime reserve days can be used only once, but they don’t have to be used all in one hospital visit. For example, if you have two extended hospital stays, each amounting to 120 days, you can use 30 lifetime reserve days for each period.
Using lifetime reserve days will come at a higher cost or coinsurance. The 2024 coinsurance cost for these days is $816.
If you paid Medicare taxes during your working years, you may qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A. To be eligible, you’ll need to have worked for 40 quarters, or 10 years, and paid Medicare taxes during that time.
In 2024, if you’ve accumulated at least 30 quarters of coverage or are married to someone who has, you can expect to pay a premium of $278 per month.
If you haven’t had coverage for at least 30 quarters or you’re living with a disability and have exhausted other benefits, you will have to pay a higher premium of $505 per month.
Another option for hospital coverage is a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. These plans are offered through private providers and include all benefits covered through Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).
These plans often include extra benefits, too, such as Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage). They may also offer coverage for:
- dental
- vision
- hearing
- health perks like fitness memberships
Another option is to add a Medigap plan to your Medicare coverage. Like Medicare Advantage plans, these are offered through private insurance providers and can help provide additional coverage toward coinsurance or deductible costs.
It’s important to note that you can’t have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan and a Medigap plan at the same time; you can only choose one or the other.
It’s a good idea to add up all your set and expected costs before selecting a plan. A Medicare agent can help you better understand your options and anticipated expenses.
Does Medicare pay 100% of anything?
While Medicare covers much of your medical expenses, there are still some costs you will need to pay out of pocket. This includes premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
What percentage of medical bills does Medicare pay?
After meeting your annual deductible, Medicare will cover 80% of approved expenses for treatments that are deemed medically necessary with an in-network health professional.
What is the maximum out-of-pocket cost for Medicare in the hospital?
There are no restrictions on the amount of money you may have to pay out of pocket with either Part A or Part B. However, Medigap plans can provide some relief from these costs. The limits for out-of-pocket expenses in Medicare Advantage plans differ depending on your insurance provider.
Learn more: Understanding Medicare Out-of-pocket maximums.
What are the nine medical costs that Medicare does not cover?
- custodial care
- dental care
- eye exams for prescription glasses
- dentures
- plastic surgery
- massages
- Routine physical exams
- Hearing aids and related exams
- concierge medicine
In addition, Medicare won’t pay for anything that would normally be covered if it’s provided by a health professional who is out of network or doesn’t accept assignment.
Medicare Part A can assist with inpatient care costs, but only for a specific time period.
If you or a family member anticipates an extended hospital stay for an underlying health condition, treatment, or surgery, review your insurance coverage to understand your premiums and analyze your costs.
Though Medicare provides coverage for some of your hospital stay, you’ll be expected to pay a portion of the bill.