Part A costs

How much does Part A cost?

Premium-free Part A

You usually don't pay a monthly 

Premium

 for 

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)

 coverage if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for a certain amount of time while working. This is sometimes called "premium-free Part A."

Most people get premium-free Part A.

You can get premium-free Part A at 65 if:

  • You already get retirement Benefits [Glossary] from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
  • You're eligible to get Social Security or Railroad benefits but haven't filed for them yet.
  • You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.

If you're under 65, you can get premium-free Part A if:

  • You got Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.
  • You have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and meet certain requirements.

Part A premiums

If you don't qualify for premium-free Part A, you can buy Part A.

If you buy Part A, you'll pay up to $458 each month. If you paid Medicare taxes for less than 30 quarters, the standard Part A premium is $458. If you paid Medicare taxes for 30-39 quarters, the standard Part A premium is $252.

In most cases, if you choose to buy Part A, you must also:

Contact Social Security for more information about the Part A premium.

Learn how and when you can sign up for Part A.

Find out what Part A covers.

Find out what you pay for Part A-covered services.