About 99% of people with Medicare pay no Part A premium, because they or a spouse worked at least 40 quarters — ten years — in Medicare-covered employment. Below that, Part A can still be bought, at one of two rates set by CMS each year.
This tool applies officially published figures to the numbers you enter. It is not an insurance quote, it is not an eligibility determination, and it does not predict what a carrier will charge you. Only HealthCare.gov, Medicare.gov, Social Security or the carrier can determine your eligibility and your actual price.
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Medicare Part A Premium: how it works
What Part A actually covers
Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying stay, hospice and some home health care. It is not the part that pays for doctor visits or outpatient care — that is Part B, which has its own premium that nearly everyone pays.
The deductible is per benefit period, not per year
A benefit period starts the day you are admitted and ends when you have been out of hospital or skilled nursing care for 60 days in a row. Two separate admissions far enough apart means paying the deductible twice in one calendar year.
Common questionsCommon questions
Can I use my spouse’s work record?
Often yes. If you are 65 and your current spouse has 40 quarters, or you were married at least 10 years to a former spouse who does, you can usually get premium-free Part A on their record. Social Security confirms this when you apply.
How do I find out how many quarters I have?
Your Social Security statement shows your earnings record. Create or sign in to a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to see it. This calculator cannot look it up for you — it works from the number you enter.