Yes, Medicare covers COVID-19 hospitalizations, provided the care is deemed medically necessary and you are formally admitted to the hospital by a doctor.
Coverage details
Medicare also covers COVID-19 antibody tests, COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments, and COVID-19 vaccines.
No, Medicare Part A does not cover 100% of hospital bills; beneficiaries pay a deductible per benefit period, followed by daily coinsurance for longer stays (days 61-90, plus lifetime reserve days), meaning you're responsible for costs beyond Medicare's approved amounts unless you have a supplemental plan like Medigap or Medicare Advantage. While Part A covers many inpatient services like semi-private rooms, meals, and general nursing after the deductible, significant out-of-pocket costs remain for extended hospitalizations.
The adjusted mean cost of an inpatient stay was $11 275 (95% CI, $11 252-$11 297) overall, increasing from $10 394 (95% CI, $10 228-$10 559) at the end of March 2020 to $13 072 (95% CI, $12 528-$13 617) by the end of March 2022.
What happens when you go to the hospital largely depends on the severity of your symptoms. Some patients require minimal intervention, while others need ventilators to help them breathe. Although there is no cure, treatment may include antivirals, steroids, antibiotics or convalescent plasma, among many other methods.
Original Medicare Safety Net (OMSN)
Your gap expenses count towards the OMSN. Once your gap expenses reach the threshold in a calendar year, Medicare will reimburse you 100% of the schedule fee (instead of 85%) for any further out-of-hospital medical services you need that are subsidised under the MBS.
Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
Once you meet your deductible, Part A will pay for days 1–60 that you are in the hospital. For days 61–90, you will pay a coinsurance for each day. If you need to stay in the hospital for longer than 90 days, you can use up to 60 lifetime reserve days. These are extra days of Medicare coverage for long hospital stays.
Here are some of the biggest Medicare mistakes to avoid:
Coverage details
Medicare covers and you pay nothing for: Tests to diagnose or aid the diagnosis of COVID-19. Some tests for related respiratory conditions to aid diagnosis of COVID-19 done together with the COVID-19 test.
If you need medical care
If you need emergency care, go to the closest hospital that can help you. Generally, Marketplace plans cover COVID-19 treatments. If your plan has deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance for these services, you'll pay those.
Medicare pays 100% of the first 20 days of a covered SNF stay. A copayment of $217 per day (in 2026) is required for days 21-100 if Medicare approves your stay.
If Medicare denies payment: You're responsible for paying. However, since a claim was submitted, you can appeal to Medicare. If Medicare does pay: Your provider or supplier will refund any payments you made (not including your copayments or deductibles).
Medicare's AWVs do not cover:
Outside of these visits, Medicare Part B covers 80% of the Medicare-approved cost of medically necessary doctor visits. The individual must pay 20% to the doctor or service provider as coinsurance. The Part B deductible also applies, which is $257 in 2025.
Medicare Advantage (Part C): In 2026, the federal cap for in-network maximum out-of-pocket limit is $9,250, but it can be less depending on the plan you choose. The combined in- and out-of-network cap is $13,900.
Key Takeaways
Medicare Part B covers ER visits, but you still pay a deductible and 20% of costs. Part A helps only if you're admitted to the hospital. Medigap can help cover ER costs if you have Original Medicare.
Medical care can be costly. Over 60% of all bankruptcies are due to medical expenses. A typical in-patient stay in a hospital is about 5 days, and that may cost you over $10,000. This figure does not include major procedures, ambulance fees, or other charges.
You are responsible for all hospital and medical costs. In many locations, payment or a deposit is required before any services are provided. If you or a U.S. citizen you're traveling with gets seriously ill or injured while abroad, we can: Help you find local doctors or hospitals.