Is Medicare Part A enough for hospital coverage?

Question

Chris Bumgardner · Accepted Answer

Part A covers hospital stays, but it is not always enough on its own.  Most people need more than Part A. 

   Consider Part B, covers Doctors, outpatient services and diagnostic testing. 
   Consider Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage, Part C.
   Consider part D, prescription drugs.

Brian Moore · Answer

Medicare Part A covers a lot for hospital stays—like inpatient care, skilled nursing, and hospice—but it’s not always enough on its own since it comes with costs like a $1,632 deductible per benefit period in 2025 and no cap on how many times that could hit if you’re in and out of the hospital. It also doesn’t cover outpatient services or extras like private rooms unless medically necessary, which is why I’ve seen folks pair it with Part B and either a Supplement like Plan G or a Medicare Advantage plan to close those gaps. From my experience, sticking with just Part A can leave you facing some steep bills if your health takes a turn, so it’s smart to consider what additional coverage fits your needs.

Answered by Brian Moore on March 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH

Answered by Brian Moore Medicare Insurance Agent

Melonie Wood · Answer

A member will have only Part A IF they are still working & covered on their employer plan. Once a person leaves their employer plan, they must apply for part B which covers doctors, medical equipment, out patient, preventive services

Answered by Melonie Wood on March 25, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL & AL

Answered by Melonie Wood Medicare Insurance Agent

Christopher Boyd · Answer

If the senior does not receive federal or state financial assistance, the senior maybe responsible for hospital inpatient deductibles or copays. Medicare Supplements may cover this cost at 100% depending on the supplement chosen. Medicare Advantage or Part C may have daily hospital copays for a limited number of inpatient admission days.

Answered by Christopher Boyd on March 4, 2025

Agent Licensed in IN, KY, MI, OH, PA & TN

Answered by Christopher Boyd Medicare Insurance Agent

William Lawler · Answer

Medicare is an 80/20 health plan, where you are responsible for 20% of hospital costs. If you enrolled in Part B and also enrolled in either an Advantage plan or Medigap plan, more of the costs would be covered.

Answered by William Lawler on March 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in MO, FL, IA & 12 other states

Answered by William Lawler Medicare Insurance Agent

Luis Daza · Answer

No, a hospital indemnity plan will help pay for those copays and deductibles not covered by Medicare.

Edward Smith, ChFC, CRPS, AIF · Answer

Not necessarily. It covers a large percentage (80%) of covered expenses but the 20% the Medicare beneficiary is responsible for has not cap and medical expenses can add up quickley.

David Moscowitz · Answer

It covers basic hospital coverage, however not indefinitely, also other costs such as specific tests and therapies are not covered with basic Medicare.

Leslie Helene Sussman · Answer

NO Original Medicare PART A is not enough for Hospital Coverage.    If you have ever received a bill from a hospital 80% coverage is not sufficient.

Part A helps pay for hospital stays and inpatient care typically at 80% coverage.  Plus there is also a Deductible to meet.   The biggest disadvantage with only Part A coverage is there is NO cap on the Out of pocket you could be responsible for.  

Medicare Advantage plan has a cap on the Max Out of Pocket (MOOP)
Medicare Supplement/Medigap covers hospital coverage

Sean Davis · Answer

Medicare Part A provides essential hospital coverage, including inpatient stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services. However, it may not cover all medical expenses, such as outpatient services, deductibles, coinsurance, and certain procedures. Many beneficiaries choose to pair Part A with Medicare Part B for comprehensive coverage, as Part B covers outpatient care, doctor visits, and preventive services. To ensure adequate coverage, it’s important to evaluate your healthcare needs and consider additional options like a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap policy.

Answered by Sean Davis on March 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in NY, LA, MD & 6 other states

Answered by Sean Davis Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

When you become eligible for Medicare (usually at age 65), Part A is totally free as long as you've worked for 10 years, contributing to Social Security, taken out of your paycheck during that time. Bear in mind that Part A (inpatient hospital admittance) will pay 80% of the charges surrounding your treatments/surgery. The other 20% is normally covered by applying to either a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage plan. However, if you're still working, it's normal that your employer is paying for your healthcare unless you're working part-time.
So, to answer your question, Medicare pays for over 60,000 different procedures. As long as yours has a dollar value associated with it, it should be enough. But if you are considering an experimental treatment, Medicare does not pay for that until CMS approves it.

Gretchen Morris · Answer

No it isn't. There are some large repeating deductibles and some hefty co insurance payments you would be liable for without extra coverage.

Helena Foutz, RSSA · Answer

Medicare Part A has a $1,676 deductible and only covers for the first 60 days when you are first admitted, so no, it would be a good idea to have other coverage to make up the difference.

Lea Ayres · Answer

While Medicare Part A helps with inpatient hospital costs and related services, it might not cover everything. It's essential to consider both Medicare Part A and Part B for comprehensive coverage, including doctor visits and outpatient care.

Answered by Lea Ayres on March 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, MD & 8 other states

Answered by Lea Ayres Medicare Insurance Agent

Ryan Raphael · Answer

Medicare part A only is not enough coverage for hospital. There is a large deductible so that's exactly why people need some sort of Medicare Plan.

Shelly Hefley · Answer

If you have a supplemental coverage, it should pay your hospital co- insurance.  It is always best to have a licensed broker review your specific coverage and help you be informed.

DeeDee Whitlock · Answer

I recommend a Medicare Supplement to help with the expenses associated with Hospital expense. There are so many options that will put an out of pocket max so that if something tragic happens you will have the coverage

Answered by DeeDee Whitlock on April 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in LA

Answered by DeeDee Whitlock Medicare Insurance Agent

Mitchell Jerome · Answer

Absolutely not! You have a huge deductible and incur very high finanacial risk. Get a Supplement or Advantage plan.

Karen Marriner · Answer

In 2025, the Part A deductible is $1676, which means you'll pay the first $1676 of your hospital bill. Understand that without Part B none of the professional fees will be covered so I don't recommend just having Part A.

Answered by Karen Marriner on March 27, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA

Answered by Karen Marriner Medicare Insurance Agent

Brian Krantz · Answer

No, Part A by itself isn’t enough. It has deductibles and coverage limits. You still need Part B and either a Supplement or Advantage plan to make sure you’re fully protected.

Linda Bolan · Answer

No, Part A primarily covers inpatient hospital care. With Part A you are still responsible for deductibles and coinsurance. These out-of-pocket costs can add up, especially during extended hospital stays. It will not cover long term custodial care.

Answered by Linda Bolan on March 12, 2025

Agent Licensed in IN

Answered by Linda Bolan Medicare Insurance Agent

Gregory Gudis · Answer

Medicare Part A is the hospital insurance part of Original Medicare but it is not a comprehensive solution. The addition of Part B and Part C or Medigap would give the beneficiary a more complete plan.

Answered by Gregory Gudis on March 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ, CO, CT & 16 other states

Answered by Gregory Gudis Medicare Insurance Agent

Micheal Rohlmeier · Answer

This is a personal question.
While Part A provides coverage for hospital services, for most beneficiaries the costs associated with Part A leaves them exposed to financial risk they do not feel comfortable with.  Therefore, most people look at bolstering their Original Medicare coverage with other coverage.

Althea Sanders · Answer

With Medicare Part A for your hospital coverage - you will still have some out of pocket expense. There is no co-pay for a hospital stay but there IS a deductible. For 2025, the deductible for a hospital stay is $1,676. Days 1 - 60 are $0 per day after you pay the deductible. However, there is a cost of $419 per day for days 61-90 and $838 per day for days 91-150. 

You could pay the deductible multiple times each year if there are multiple admissions. 

Feel free to message me if you would like further explanation!

Is Medicare Part A enough for hospital coverage?

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