Original Medicare
Part A (Hospital)
Inpatient hospital, limited skilled nursing, hospice, and some home health with a per-benefit-period deductible of $1,736 in 2026.
The quick version
If you only read one thing, read this
- 1
Helps pay inpatient hospital, limited skilled nursing, hospice, some home health.
- 2
2026 deductible: $1,736 per benefit period. Days 21–100 in a skilled nursing facility: $217/day coinsurance.
- 3
No health questions; eligibility tied to work history for premium-free Part A.
The details
The stuff that matters, one piece at a time
Benefits
Helps pay inpatient hospital, limited skilled nursing, hospice, some home health.
What it costs
Show me the money
- Part B Premium (2026)
- $202.90/mo USDStandard; IRMAA surcharges above $109k/$218k
- Part A Deductible (2026)
- $1,736 USDPer benefit period; CMS 2026
- Part B Deductible (2026)
- $283/yr USDThen 20% coinsurance
- Out-of-Pocket Cap
- NoneNo annual limit on Part A/B cost sharing
- Days 61–90 Coinsurance
- $434/day USD2026 rate
- Lifetime Reserve Days
- $868/day USD60 days total lifetime; 2026 rate
- SNF Days 21–100
- $217/day USDAfter 3-day qualifying stay; 2026 rate
The honest take
What's good, and where it falls short
The good stuff
- Premium-free for most (40+ work quarters)
- Covers inpatient hospital, SNF, hospice, home health
- No network. Any Medicare-accepting hospital
The catch
- $1,736 deductible per benefit period can repeat
- Significant coinsurance for stays beyond 60 days
- SNF coverage requires prior qualifying inpatient stay
Head to head
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
Original Medicare gives maximum flexibility but no spending cap. Advantage bundles everything with a MOOP.
Buyer beware
The mistakes that cost folks the most
Not realizing the $1,736 Part A deductible resets with each new benefit period. Several hospital stays in a year can mean paying it 2–3 times
Assuming SNF care is free. The $217/day coinsurance kicks in at day 21 and requires a prior qualifying hospital stay
Being placed under "observation status" instead of admitted. Part A doesn't cover observation, and SNF coverage won't qualify
Common questions
What folks ask us most
Keep learning
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The Insurance Hawk
Ready to put Part A (Hospital) to work?
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