How much does Medicare Part A cost?
- Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A (“premium free”).
- If you must buy Part A, you’ll pay up to $413 per month (2017 rate).
- When admitted as an inpatient, you’ll pay a $1,316 deductible for each benefit period.
- There are also co-insurance costs from $0 to $658 per day.
Medicare Part A Costs in Detail
Medicare Part A , hospital insurance, is free (zero dollar premium) to most beneficiaries. It’s fully funded through payroll taxes while working for at least 10 years. This is also true for the spouse of someone who paid Medicare payroll taxes.
Legal U.S. residents who are not eligible for a free Part A premium may be able to purchase Part A benefits if they meet certain conditions. If they qualify to buy Part A, beneficiaries will be required to buy Medicare Part B (medical insurance). There will be a monthly premium for both.
In 2017, people with 30-39 quarters of Medicare-covered employment are required to pay a premium of $227 per month. For those people who are not eligible for Part A and have fewer than 30 quarters worked, the premium is $413 per month. These amounts adjust slightly from year to year.
Beneficiaries with hospital stays in 2017 pay a deductible of $1,316 for a hospital stay of 1-60 days; $329 per day for days 61 to 90; $658 per day for days 91 through 150; and all costs for each day beyond 150 (lifetime reserve days).
