Medicare Part A 2027

If you have to buy Part A, enroll on time. Delaying can add a late enrollment penalty of 10% to your premium, and you pay that penalty for twice the number of years you went without signing up.

PART A · HOSPITAL

Inpatient stays, skilled nursing, hospice, home health. Usually no premium. Costs are charged per benefit period rather than per year.

PART B · MEDICAL

Doctor visits, outpatient care, lab work, equipment, preventive screenings. Everyone pays a monthly premium. One yearly deductible, then generally 20% coinsurance with no cap. See Medicare Part B.

YOUR PART A CHECKLIST

Four things to confirm

1. Check your work quarters. Log in at ssa.gov to confirm you have the 40 quarters that make Part A premium-free.

2. Know your Part A start date. It sets the clock on your other enrollment windows, including the six-month Medigap window.

3. Decide how you will cover the gaps. Part A alone leaves you exposed to repeat deductibles and daily coinsurance.

4. If you are still working, check your HSA. Enrolling in Part A ends your eligibility to contribute.

➤  Is Medicare Part A free?

There is usually no monthly premium if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters. But Part A is not free to use. You pay a deductible for each benefit period, and daily coinsurance once a hospital stay passes 60 days.

➤  What does Medicare Part A cover?

Inpatient hospital stays, short-term skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying hospital stay, hospice care, and some home health care. It does not cover long-term custodial care, and it does not cover doctor visits or outpatient care — those fall under Part B.

➤  How much is the Medicare Part A deductible for 2027?

Medicare announces the 2027 Part A deductible in the fall. It was $1,736 per benefit period in 2026. The deductible applies per benefit period rather than per year, so you can owe it more than once in the same calendar year.

➤  What is a benefit period in Medicare Part A?

It starts the day you are admitted as an inpatient and ends after you have been out of a hospital or skilled nursing facility for 60 days in a row. A new admission after that starts a new benefit period and a new deductible. There is no limit on how many you can have in a year.

➤  Do I need Part B if I have Part A?

For most people, yes. Part A only pays for inpatient care. Doctor visits, outpatient procedures, lab work and medical equipment all fall under Part B. You also need both Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage plan or buy a Medicare Supplement plan.

➤  Can I delay Medicare Part A if I am still working?

You can, and some people do specifically to keep contributing to a health savings account, since enrolling in Part A ends HSA contributions. If your employer has 20 or more employees, delaying may carry no penalty. Confirm with your benefits administrator before you decide.