Jordan Ellis
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance to people over the age of 65 and some younger people with disabilities. It is accepted at over 7,000 hospitals in the United States, which must meet Medicare's safety and care standards. However, not all hospitals accept Medicare, and there may be out-of-pocket costs associated with hospital visits, even at hospitals that do accept Medicare. Medicare Part A specifically helps cover the costs of inpatient hospital care, hospice care, and home health care. In this response, we will explore whether all hospitals accept Medicare Part A and what patients can expect in terms of coverage and out-of-pocket costs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hospitals that accept Medicare | Over 7,000 |
| Hospitals that don't accept Medicare | Veterans Affairs and active military hospitals |
| Hospitals that might not accept Medicare | Public hospitals |
| Ways to find hospitals that accept Medicare | Medicare's Care Compare tool, Medicare.gov Health Care Comparison tool, Hospital Locator Tool |
| Out-of-pocket costs | Yes |
| Supplemental insurance | Advised |
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What You'll Learn
Hospitals that don't accept Medicare
While most hospitals in the United States do accept Medicare, there are some that do not. Generally, the hospitals that do not accept Medicare are Veterans Affairs and active military hospitals, which operate with veterans' and military benefits instead. There are also some public hospitals that may choose not to participate in Medicare, although this is less common. In 2023, it was reported that a growing number of hospitals were ending their contracts with Medicare Advantage plans due to administrative challenges and burdens.
To participate in Medicare, hospitals must meet certain conditions and health and safety regulations to ensure the health and safety of Medicare beneficiaries. Hospitals must comply with federal, state, and local laws, have a governing body that is legally responsible for the conduct of the hospital, and promote and protect patient rights. They must also comply with emergency preparedness requirements and have organized medical and nursing staff in place.
If you are unsure whether your local or preferred hospital accepts Medicare, you can use the Medicare.gov Care Compare tool to search for approved hospitals. This tool allows you to search for hospitals, doctors, nursing homes, hospice care, long-term facilities, and dialysis centers that accept Medicare. It also enables you to compare search results, including overall ratings and patient ratings.
It is important to note that even if you go to a hospital that accepts Medicare, you may still have out-of-pocket costs associated with your visit. These costs can include deductibles and hospital coinsurance. Similarly, if your doctor does not accept Medicare, you may have higher out-of-pocket costs for any medical services you receive. Doctors and providers who do not accept Medicare may opt out of the program, and Medicare will not pay for any items or services received from these providers, except in emergencies.
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Finding a hospital that accepts Medicare
While most hospitals in the United States do accept Medicare, not all of them do. Generally, the hospitals that do not accept Medicare are VA hospitals and active military hospitals, which operate with veterans and military benefits instead. There are also some public hospitals that may choose not to participate in Medicare.
To find a hospital that accepts Medicare, you can use the Medicare.gov Care Compare tool. This will allow you to search for hospitals that accept Medicare near you. You can filter your results based on distance from your home, overall star ratings, patient survey ratings, hospital type, and whether the hospital provides emergency services. The map feature will show you where each hospital is located in your area, helping you to choose the one that's closest to you.
Before choosing a hospital, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about which hospital they work with and which they think will give the best care for your condition or medical needs. You may also want to ask how well those hospitals check and improve their quality of care, and always verify whether the hospital participates in Medicare or is in your Medicare Advantage plan network.
Once you've found a hospital that accepts Medicare, it's important to understand that you will still be responsible for certain out-of-pocket costs. Hospital care is covered under Medicare Part A, and most people with Part A do not pay a monthly premium. However, you will still have to pay for deductibles and hospital coinsurance. If your doctor or provider accepts Medicare as full payment for a covered service, this is called "accepting assignment." Most doctors, providers, and suppliers accept assignment, but always check to make sure. If they do, your out-of-pocket costs may be less.
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Medicare Advantage plans
Over 7,000 hospitals in the United States provide services to Medicare patients and must meet certain safety and care standards. However, not all hospitals accept Medicare. Generally, the hospitals that do not are VA hospitals, active military hospitals, and some public hospitals. To find a hospital that accepts Medicare, you can use the Medicare.gov Care Compare tool.
If you have Part A and Part B, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan. Before joining, it is important to talk to your doctor about which hospitals they work with and which they recommend for your specific needs. You should also check with your employer, union, or benefits administrator to ensure that joining a Medicare Advantage Plan will not cause you to lose your current coverage or the coverage of your spouse and dependents.
It is also important to understand the costs associated with Medicare Advantage Plans. While most doctors and providers accept Medicare as full payment, some may not. In these cases, you may have to pay more out-of-pocket costs or even pay the full amount upfront and set up a payment plan. You can use the Medicare website to find specific cost information about different plan types and to understand when and how to join, switch, or drop a plan.
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Out-of-pocket costs
Most people with Medicare Part A do not pay a monthly premium because they have worked for 10+ years and paid Social Security taxes. However, if you don't qualify for premium-free Part A, you may pay up to $518 monthly in premiums. For a hospital stay in 2025, there is also a $1,676 deductible per benefit period.
Medicare Part B, on the other hand, has a standard monthly premium of $185 in 2025. The Part B deductible is $257 per year, and the Part B coinsurance is 20% of the cost for each Medicare-approved service or item. This can significantly contribute to your total out-of-pocket costs.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans typically have cost-sharing in the form of a fixed co-payment for doctor's visits, rather than the 20% coinsurance of Part B. In 2025, the average Medicare Advantage/Part C premiums are projected to range between $0 and $240+, with an estimated average monthly cost of $17.
Medicare Part D, which covers prescription drugs, has varying annual premiums across plans, with an average of around $46.50 per month in 2025 for standard coverage. The Part D deductible cannot exceed $590 per year, and after meeting the out-of-pocket limit, you pay nothing for covered drugs for the rest of the year.
Medigap policies, sold by private carriers, can help lower out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Parts A and B. The premium for these policies is set by the insurance carrier, and it determines how much you'll pay out-of-pocket.
It's important to note that even if a hospital accepts Medicare, you're still responsible for certain out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and coinsurance. To find a hospital that accepts Medicare, you can use the Medicare.gov Care Compare tool.
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Medicare Part A coverage
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital care, which means that a doctor has formally admitted you to a hospital. Medicare Part A also covers hospice and home healthcare, along with a few other services. If you are admitted to a hospital, Medicare Part A will help pay for inpatient psychiatric care in a psychiatric hospital for a total of 190 days in a person's lifetime. It will also cover a private room unless it is medically necessary.
Most hospitals in the United States do accept Medicare. Over 7,000 hospitals in the U.S. have been approved to provide care to Medicare beneficiaries. However, not all hospitals accept it. Generally, the hospitals that do not accept Medicare are Veterans Affairs and active military hospitals, as they operate with VA and military benefits instead. There are also some public hospitals that may choose not to participate in Medicare. Hospitals that accept Medicare must meet certain safety and health regulations.
If your doctor or healthcare provider accepts Medicare as full payment for a covered service, this is called "accepting assignment." Most doctors, providers, and suppliers accept assignment, but you should always check to be sure. If your doctor accepts assignment, your out-of-pocket costs may be less. They agree to charge you only the Medicare deductible and coinsurance amount and usually wait for Medicare to pay its share before asking you to pay yours. If your doctor does not accept Medicare, you may have higher out-of-pocket costs for any medical services you receive.
Medicare Advantage Plans, also known as Medicare Part C or MA Plans, are an alternative to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). These plans are offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies and must adhere to Medicare regulations. They cover all services under Original Medicare and may also provide additional coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans may limit your options to a specific network of healthcare providers, but they offer the benefit of an annual out-of-pocket maximum for Medicare-covered services. This means you'll have a yearly cap on your Medicare expenses, even if you require extensive medical treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
No, not all hospitals accept Medicare Part A, but the vast majority do. Hospitals that do not accept Medicare Part A include VA hospitals and active military hospitals, as they operate with veterans and military benefits.
To find a hospital that participates in Medicare Part A, you can use the Hospital Locator Tool, which allows you to search by city, state, or ZIP code. Alternatively, you can use the Medicare.gov Care Compare tool to search for approved hospitals.
If you go to a hospital that doesn't accept Medicare Part A, you may be responsible for higher out-of-pocket costs. You may also want to consider purchasing supplemental insurance to help offset the cost of your hospital stay.
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital care, which means a doctor has formally admitted you to a hospital. It also covers hospice and home health care, as well as inpatient psychiatric care in a psychiatric hospital for up to 190 days in a person's lifetime.
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