Everything You Need to Know About Medicare Part A
A Guide to Medicare Part A Coverage, Costs, and Enrollment
Updated Jul 27, 2023
A Guide to Medicare Part A Coverage, Costs, and Enrollment
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As of October 2021, 63.9 million Americans were enrolled in Medicare,1 which has increased significantly compared to the 54.5 million in 2020. Each year, as more seniors and other beneficiaries become eligible, that number grows. If you’re approaching the age of eligibility for Medicare enrollment or qualify for Medicare due to reasons unrelated to age, you’re probably curious about what this government insurance plan covers, including Part A of Original Medicare. To help, our guide covers the signup process, fees and other costs, as well as what Medicare Part A covers — and what it doesn’t.
Medicare Part A is typically referred to as your hospital insurance. It makes up one part of Original Medicare, which also includes Part B medical insurance. If you need to stay in the hospital or receive hospice care, Medicare Part A provides coverage.2
More specifically, Part A covers the following:
According to AARP3, Part A doesn’t cover the following:
Did You Know? Some older adults qualify for Medicare and Medicaid. To see if you qualify for one or both of these government programs, check out our Medicare and Medicaid guide.
Did you know that many beneficiaries don’t pay a premium for Medicare Part A?4 You are eligible for premium-free Part A if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for a minimum of 40 quarters while working.
If you’re 65, you generally need to meet one or more of the following eligibility criteria:
If you’re under 65, you need to meet different eligibility criteria to qualify for premium-free Part A:
The chart below explains the costs of Part A in 2023.5
| Expense | Out-of-pocket cost | Other details |
|---|---|---|
| Part A premium |
|
To buy Part A, you must also have Medicare Part B |
| Part A hospital inpatient deductible | $1,600 deductible for each benefit period | |
| Hospital inpatient coinsurance: Days 1-60 | $0 for each benefit period after you pay your Part A deductible | |
| Hospital inpatient coinsurance: Days 61-90 | $400 copayment per day of each benefit period | |
| Hospital inpatient coinsurance: Days 91+ | $800 per “lifetime reserve day” after day 90 for each benefit period | Up to 60 lifetime reserve days over your lifetime |
| Hospital inpatient coinsurance (after day 150): Beyond lifetime reserve days | You pay all costs |
Did You Know? Worried about Medicare costs? Medicare Savings Programs help low-income seniors afford their Part A and Part B premiums.
Approximately 26 million baby boomers will age into Medicare from now through 2030,6 which is why it is important to know when and how you can enroll in Medicare if you haven’t already.
You can only enroll in Medicare at certain times during the year. Failure to enroll at the correct time could mean late enrollment penalties or gaps in coverage.
You can sign up for Medicare Part A:
During your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): You have a seven-month window to initially enroll in Medicare. It starts three months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birthday month, and ends three months after your birthday month. For example, if you’re turning 65 on March 6, 2023, your initial enrollment window begins December 1, 2022 and ends on June 30, 2023.
Helpful Hint: Medicare.gov offers an “Estimate when I’m eligible for Medicare” tool to help you understand when your Initial Enrollment Period begins.
During Medicare’s Special Enrollment Period (SEP): Some individuals qualify for delayed enrollment without penalties. For example, you might delay Medicare coverage because you still have company health insurance benefits. When that coverage ends, you might qualify for an SEP that lasts for eight months from the date your employee coverage ended. However, SEP is only available for a limited time; if you fail to sign up during this period, you may have to wait for the next General Enrollment Period and possibly pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.
During Medicare’s General Enrollment Period: If you miss your initial enrollment period or your SEP window, you may be able to apply from January 1 to March 31 each year for coverage, which will begin the month after sign up. However, going this route could result in a late-enrollment fee.
Enrolling in Medicare Part A is automatic for many older adults. When you apply for disability or retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, your application doubles as a Medicare application. If your retirement application is approved, you’re automatically approved for Part A coverage as soon as you’re eligible for Medicare.
FYI: Want to learn more about signing up for Medicare? Check out our Medicare annual enrollment guide.
If you’re not eligible for the automatic process, you may need to sign up through Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. Here’s how:
CMS.gov. (2020). CMS Releases Latest Enrollment Figures for Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
.
Medicare.gov. (2022). What Part A covers.
AARP. (2022, Dec 15). What services are not covered under Medicare Part A?
Medicare.gov. (2022). When can I sign up for Medicare?
Medicare.gov. (2022). Medicare costs at a glance.
Deloitte. Understanding the next wave of Medicare enrollees.