Medicare Hospital Coverage: Part A Hospitalization

Medicare hospital coverage through Part A helps cover inpatient hospital care when you’re formally admitted to a hospital to treat an illness or injury. Coverage includes stays in acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and long-term care hospitals.

Does Medicare cover hospital stays? Yes, when you meet specific admission requirements and coverage conditions. Understanding Medicare hospital coverage, and what it doesn’t cover, can help you prepare for deductibles, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs.

Inpatient Hospital Care Coverage

Inpatient care is when you are admitted to a hospital for an overnight stay. Part A inpatient care includes:

• A stay in an acute care hospital
• Critical access hospital
• Inpatient rehabilitation facility
• Psychiatric facility
• Long-term care hospital
• Or participation in a qualifying clinical research study.

Agent tip:

Being in a hospital overnight doesn’t always mean you’re admitted as an inpatient. If you’re under observation status, Medicare Part A may not cover your stay, even if you remain in the hospital for multiple days.

What’s Covered During Inpatient Hospital Care?

Medicare Part A covers most of the services you receive during an inpatient hospital stay. This includes:

• Semi-private rooms
• Meals
• General nursing
• Drugs, services, and supplies you need as part of your treatment.

Part A also covers inpatient mental health care when you are formally admitted to a hospital or psychiatric facility. This includes the same facility-based services, like your room, meals, nursing care, and all hospital-provided treatment.

Doctor and psychiatrist services are billed separately under Medicare Part B, even when they occur during an inpatient stay. Part A also has a 190-day lifetime limit for care in a standalone psychiatric hospital, though this limit does not apply to mental health care provided in a general hospital. Understanding the difference between Part A and Part B coverage is important for managing your healthcare costs.

Part A hospital insurance provides coverage for inpatient services if all of the following conditions are met:

• You are enrolled in Medicare Part A  (or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part A benefits)
• A doctor issues an order stating you need inpatient care to treat your illness or injury, and you are formally admitted
• The hospital accepts Medicare
• In some cases, the hospital’s Utilization Review Committee (URC) must also approve your stay.

What Isn’t Covered by Part A

This is not a complete list, and you should ask questions to understand the care you’ll receive and whether your Medicare plan covers certain products or services.

• Private-duty nursing
• A private room (unless medically necessary)
• Television and a phone in your room
• Personal care items, such as razors or slippers, are at an additional cost
• Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care beyond 60 days in a row per benefit period

How Much Does Inpatient Hospital Care Cost?

The amount of coinsurance you will owe for inpatient care depends on your length of stay. According to Medicare.gov, Medicare Part A coinsurance in 2026 is:

• Days 1-60: $0 coinsurance (after $1,736 Part A deductible)
• Days 61-90: $434 coinsurance per day of each benefit period in 2026 (after $1,736 deductible)
• Days 91–150: $868 per day when you use lifetime reserve days after day 90 (you have up to 60 lifetime reserve days)
• Beyond 150 days: All costs are your responsibility

Mental Health Inpatient Care

Medicare Part A coinsurance costs are similar when inpatient care is related to mental health:

• Days 1–60: $0 coinsurance per day of hospital or SNF stay of each benefit period (after $1,736 deductible)
• Days 61–90: $434 coinsurance per day of each benefit period
• Days 91-150: $868 coinsurance per day when using your lifetime reserve days, which are limited to 60 days total throughout your lifetime
• Beyond lifetime reserve days: All costs
• Doctor services: 20% of the Medicare-Approved Amount for mental health services you get from doctors and other providers while you’re a hospital inpatient

Medicare Part A covers 190 days of inpatient psychiatric care in a lifetime.

Bottom Line

Medicare Part A helps cover inpatient hospital care when you’re formally admitted and meet Medicare’s coverage requirements. While many hospital services are covered, Part A includes a deductible, daily coinsurance for longer stays, and lifetime reserve day limits that can significantly affect your out-of-pocket costs. Understanding these rules can help you plan ahead and avoid unexpected medical bills during a hospital stay. Most Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap) can help cover deductibles and coinsurance costs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare Part A cover inpatient hospital care?

Yes. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital care when you’re formally admitted by a doctor to treat an illness or injury, and the hospital accepts Medicare.

What’s the difference between inpatient and observation status?

Inpatient status means you’re formally admitted to the hospital, which allows Medicare Part A coverage. Observation status is considered outpatient care and is covered under Medicare Part B, even if you stay overnight.

How much does inpatient hospital care cost under Medicare Part A in 2026?

In 2026, you must first pay a $1,736 deductible per benefit period. After that, Medicare covers days 1–60 in full, with daily coinsurance applying for longer stays.

Does Medicare Part A cover inpatient mental health care?

Yes. Medicare Part A covers inpatient mental health care when you’re admitted to a hospital or psychiatric facility. However, there is a 190-day lifetime limit for care received in a standalone psychiatric hospital.

Do doctors’ services count as Part A coverage during a hospital stay?

No. While Medicare Part A covers hospital services like your room, meals, and nursing care, doctors’ and psychiatrists’ services are billed separately under Medicare Part B.

Does Medicare cover 100 percent of hospital bills?

No. Medicare Part A does not cover 100 percent of hospital bills. You’re responsible for the Part A deductible, daily coinsurance for extended stays (days 61-90 and lifetime reserve days), and any services Medicare doesn’t cover, including doctor services, which are billed under Part B.