Here's What Medicare Part A Costs in 2026

By Maurie Backman – Jan 9, 2026 at 5:18AM ESTKey PointsMost Medicare enrollees don't pay a premium for Part A.There are still deductibles and coinsurance to worry about.Part A costs are up in 2026, so it's important to know what to expect. CEO says this is worth 18 Nvidias. Will this make the world's first trillionaire? ›It's important to know what expenses to brace for.If you're enrolled in Medicare, you probably don't pay a premium for Part A, which covers hospital care. But that doesn't mean Part A is totally free. The costs associated with Medicare Part A tend to rise from year to year, and 2026 is no exception. Here's what you may be looking at in the next 12 months. Image source: Getty Images. A $1,736 inpatient deductible Each time you're admitted to the hospital as a Medicare enrollee, you have to pay a deductible that covers your first 60 days. In 2025, that deductible amounted to $1,676, but this year, it's up to $1,736. A $434 daily hospital coinsurance rate Since your Medicare Part A inpatient deductible only covers 60 days, a longer stay subjects you to a daily coinsurance rate. For days 61 through 90 of a hospital stay, that daily rate is $434, up from $419 in 2025. An $868 daily hospital coinsurance lifetime reserve rate If you end up in the hospital beyond 90 days, you're forced to dip into your lifetime reserve days, which are charged at a higher rate than days 61 through 90. The daily rate for lifetime reserve days is $868 this year, up from $838 last year.Advertisement A $217 daily coinsurance rate for skilled nursing care If you need skilled nursing care following a hospital stay, the daily rate in 2026 is $217, up from $209.50 last year. You're eligible for up to 100 days of extended care services per hospital admission. It's important to understand the costs associated with Medicare Part A, even if you aren't subject to a monthly premium for coverage. And if you're looking for a way to defray some of these costs, make sure to set yourself up with a Medigap policy. Medigap, or supplemental insurance, could pick up the tab for expensive deductibles and coinsurance so these costs don't bankrupt you.Read NextJan 9, 2026 •By Maurie Backman3 Reasons Not to Delay Social Security in 2026Jan 9, 2026 •By James BrumleyIs Taking Your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) in January a Smart Move?Jan 8, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanI'm Hoping to Never Retire. Here's My Plan in Case I'm Forced To.Jan 8, 2026 •By Matt Frankel, CFPShould You Take Your First Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Early or Late? Here's the Financial Impact.Jan 8, 2026 •By Maurie Backman4 Things You Need to Know About Your Medicare Advantage Plan in 2026Jan 8, 2026 •By Christy BieberHere Are the New Average Social Security Benefits in 2026 for Retirees of Every AgeAbout the AuthorMaurie Backman is a contributing Motley Fool retirement and Social Security expert with more than a decade of experience writing about personal finance, investing, and retirement planning. Maurie previously worked in finance analyzing distressed companies. She studied finance at Binghamton University.TMFBookNerdAdvertisement