20 Hospitals That Accept Medicare Near Me

Finding a hospital that accepts Medicare in the United States is, for most people, not the challenge it once was. According to the American Hospital Association’s 2026 Fast Facts, more than 6,200 hospitals across the country participate in Medicare — representing the overwhelming majority of all community hospitals. The AHA confirms that Medicare and Medicaid together account for more than 60% of all care provided by U.S. hospitals, meaning virtually no major hospital system can afford not to participate. That said, knowing the specific costs, rules, and limitations of Medicare hospital coverage in 2026 is critical. Here is everything you need to know.

• 1
  Do most hospitals in the United States accept Medicare? Yes — the vast majority do. More than 6,200 U.S. hospitals participate in Medicare, representing nearly all non-federal community hospitals.

  The AHA’s 2026 Fast Facts confirm that data is collected from over 6,200 hospitals and 400 health care systems. KFF’s Medicare Certified Hospitals tracker (updated January 2026) shows thousands of certified facilities in every state. Participation is voluntary, but the AHA notes that because Medicare and Medicaid pay for more than 60% of all care provided in hospitals, very few hospitals can elect not to participate. Not-for-profit hospitals receiving federal tax exemptions are required to serve Medicare beneficiaries. The main exceptions are VA hospitals (veterans benefits, not Medicare), active military hospitals, and a small number of public hospitals that have chosen not to participate.
• 2
  What does Medicare Part A actually cover in a hospital stay? Part A covers inpatient hospital stays including a semi-private room, meals, nursing care, medications given during the stay, and most hospital services — but you pay a deductible and daily copays after day 60.

  Medicare Part A is your hospital insurance. For each benefit period, Medicare covers days 1–60 at no cost after you pay the $1,736 deductible. Days 61–90 require a $434/day coinsurance payment. Days 91 and beyond use lifetime reserve days at $868/day (maximum 60 reserve days over your lifetime). After all reserve days are exhausted, you pay all costs. Part A also covers skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care. Critically, Part B covers doctors’ services even during a hospital stay at 80% of the Medicare-approved amount after your $283 Part B deductible. Having a Medigap supplemental policy can eliminate most of these out-of-pocket costs.
• 3
  What is the Medicare Part A hospital deductible in 2026? $1,736 per benefit period in 2026 — a $60 increase from $1,676 in 2025. This deductible applies each time you start a new benefit period, not just once per year.

  The CMS published the official 2026 Medicare Part A deductible as $1,736, effective January 1, 2026. This is not an annual deductible — it resets with each benefit period. A benefit period begins when you are admitted as an inpatient and ends when you have been out of inpatient care for 60 consecutive days. If you have two separate hospital stays separated by more than 60 days, you pay the $1,736 deductible twice. There is no limit to the number of benefit periods you can have in a year. This structure is very different from how annual deductibles work in private health insurance and in Medicare Advantage plans.
• 4
  What is the difference between “inpatient” and “observation status” at a hospital, and why does it matter for Medicare? It matters enormously — patients under “observation status” are considered outpatients, so Medicare Part A does NOT cover their stay. They pay Part B copays and may pay full cost for any skilled nursing care afterward.

  This is one of the most financially damaging misunderstandings in all of Medicare. A patient can spend several nights in a hospital bed and still be classified as “under observation” rather than formally admitted as an inpatient. Under observation status, you are billed as an outpatient under Part B — not Part A. This affects your cost in two major ways: first, you may owe 20% coinsurance for all services rather than the flat Part A deductible structure; and second, because Medicare only covers skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying inpatient hospital stay of at least 3 days, observation patients do not qualify for covered skilled nursing facility stays. Always ask your doctor and the hospital admissions staff whether you have been formally admitted or placed under observation. You have the right to ask, and the answer determines your Medicare coverage and your bill.
• 5
  Can I go to any Medicare-participating hospital, or does my plan limit my choices? With Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you can go to ANY Medicare-certified hospital nationwide. With Medicare Advantage (Part C), you are usually limited to the plan’s network, except in emergencies.

  Original Medicare is the broadest hospital access plan available. There are no networks, no referrals, and no geographic restrictions — if a hospital accepts Medicare and you need care, you can receive care there. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are administered by private insurers and typically require you to use in-network hospitals. Going out of network with a Medicare Advantage plan can result in much higher costs or no coverage at all (other than emergencies). With Medicare Advantage experiencing significant network disruptions in 2025–2026 — with over 40 major health systems dropping various MA plans per Becker’s Hospital Review — confirming your hospital is still in-network before any scheduled procedure or admission is essential.
• 6
  What is the fastest way to confirm a specific hospital accepts my Medicare? Use Medicare.gov’s Care Compare tool (medicare.gov/care-compare), which lists every Medicare-certified hospital in the country along with quality ratings. You can also call the hospital directly or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

  CMS’s Care Compare tool at Medicare.gov is the authoritative source for Medicare hospital participation and is updated regularly. It lists only Medicare-certified facilities and includes over 150 quality measures per hospital so you can compare care quality alongside participation status. The tool covers acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals, children’s hospitals, and others. If you have Medicare Advantage, also call your plan’s member services number to confirm the hospital is in-network before your visit — network status can change mid-year. You can also use the Hospital Price Transparency tool that all hospitals are now required to post on their websites, showing Medicare Advantage and standard charge rates.
• 7
  What is a Medicare-certified hospital required to provide? Medicare-certified hospitals must meet CMS Conditions of Participation, which include standards for patient rights, quality care, nurse-to-patient ratios, infection control, emergency access, and non-discrimination requirements.

  To maintain Medicare certification, hospitals must comply with CMS Conditions of Participation (CoPs) — a comprehensive set of standards covering medical staff, nursing services, laboratory services, dietary services, pharmaceutical services, infection prevention, physical environment, quality assurance, patient rights, and more. Hospitals are inspected by accreditation bodies (Joint Commission, DNV Healthcare, or state survey agencies) to verify ongoing compliance. If a hospital loses Medicare certification, it loses the ability to bill Medicare for any services — a financially catastrophic outcome. This enforcement structure provides Medicare patients with a meaningful, federally backed quality assurance floor at every certified hospital.
• 8
  Does Medicare cover emergency room visits? Yes. Part B covers ER visits at Medicare-participating hospitals. You pay the Part B deductible ($283) plus 20% of Medicare-approved costs. If you are admitted from the ER, Part A takes over.

  Medicare Part B covers emergency room services at hospitals that participate in Medicare. After you meet your $283 annual Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for ER services. If the ER visit leads to formal inpatient admission, Part A takes over for the inpatient stay and the $1,736 Part A deductible applies. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) requires any hospital that receives Medicare funding to provide emergency screening and stabilization regardless of your ability to pay — a critical protection for Medicare beneficiaries who may be traveling far from home or whose regular hospital is not immediately available. For Medicare Advantage patients, emergency care is always covered by law at any hospital nationwide, even out-of-network.
• 9
  How can I reduce or eliminate Medicare hospital out-of-pocket costs? A Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan, Medicaid dual eligibility, or a Medicare Savings Program can cover or dramatically reduce your hospital deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.

  The $1,736 Part A deductible and the daily copays for longer stays can be substantial. Three solutions exist. First, a Medigap Plan G (the most popular current option) covers the Part A deductible, all hospital coinsurance, and the Part B 20% coinsurance — your only out-of-pocket cost is the $283 Part B deductible. Second, if you have both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibility), Medicaid typically covers Medicare’s cost-sharing entirely, meaning you pay little or nothing for hospital care. Third, Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI) — available to those earning up to $1,816/month (individual) — can eliminate or reduce Medicare cost-sharing. The QMB program prohibits providers from billing you for Medicare-covered services at all. NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp.org is the fastest free tool to see which programs you qualify for.
• 10
  What if I am traveling and need hospital care away from home? With Original Medicare, you can use any Medicare-certified hospital in all 50 states and U.S. territories at the same coverage level as your home hospital. Medicare Advantage emergency coverage applies nationwide, but non-emergency care may be out-of-network.

  One of Original Medicare’s most powerful features is its nationwide portability. Whether you are in Florida in winter or Maine in summer, any Medicare-certified hospital in any state will accept your Medicare card at standard rates. This nationwide access is a significant advantage over Medicare Advantage plans, which typically require care from a regional network. The large national hospital systems listed in this guide — including HCA Healthcare, CommonSpirit, Ascension, AdventHealth, and others — have hospitals in dozens of states, making them reliable options wherever your travels take you. Use Medicare.gov/care-compare or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to find participating hospitals anywhere in the country within minutes.

Sources: AHA Fast Facts on U.S. Hospitals 2026 (Feb 3 2026 — 6,200+ hospitals; 400 health care systems); AHA Fact Sheet Medicare & Medicaid Payments (Mar 16 2026 — 60%+ hospital care; 96% hospitals with Medicare 50%+ inpatient days); KFF Medicare Certified Hospitals State Indicator (Jan 15 2026); CMS 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles fact sheet (Nov 14 2025 — Part A deductible $1,736; coinsurance $434 days 61-90; $868 lifetime reserve; Part B premium $202.90; Part B deductible $283); Medicare.gov Inpatient Hospital Care 2026 (days 1–60 $0 after deductible; 60 reserve days lifetime; benefit period definition); Federal Register CY 2026 Inpatient Hospital Deductible (Nov 19 2025); NCOA 2026 Out-of-Pocket Costs (MA OOP max $9,250 decreased $100; Medigap F/G/J deductible $2,950); Becker’s Hospital Review (40+ health systems dropping MA plans 2025–2026; Nov 2025); CMS Care Compare Medicare.gov (150+ quality measures; Medicare-certified hospitals only); CMS Hospital Price Transparency requirements (2024 update); EMTALA coverage description Medicare.gov; Healthgrades Medicare coverage guide (Oct 2025 — observation vs. inpatient distinction); CMS Conditions of Participation (42 CFR Part 482)

Sources: Becker’s Hospital Review 40 Largest Health Systems 2024 (Nov 27 2024 — rankings by hospital count; HCA 187; VHA 170; CommonSpirit 137; Ascension 136; LifePoint 120+; Trinity 93; UHS 92; CHS 69; Advocate 69; Christus 61; Tenet 52; BSW 52; AdventHealth 51; Providence 51; Bon Secours Mercy 49; Mercy 49; Sanford 48); Definitive Healthcare HospitalView (Feb 2025 — HCA $55B NPR; CommonSpirit $30B; bed counts; state presence); AHA 2026 Fast Facts (6,200+ hospitals; Medicare/Medicaid 60%+ of care); U.S. News Best Hospitals 2024–2025 (Mayo #1 overall; Cleveland Clinic cardiac #1 26 consecutive years; JHM top 5; NYP #1 NY); Becker’s 40 MA Dropouts article (Nov 2025 — Mayo Clinic out-of-network UHC/Humana MA 2026; NYP out-of-network UHC MA 2026; JHM out-of-network UHC MA Aug 2025); NPI Data Services / Hospital Management top systems data; Medicare.gov Care Compare (Medicare-certified hospitals; verify participation); EMTALA Medicare.gov (emergency care at all Medicare-funded hospitals); Sanford Health (dropped Humana MA in MN 2025 — Becker’s); Kaiser Permanente 12M members; Kaiser Senior Advantage MA product; SSM Health SLUCare/SLU affiliation; Memorial Hermann UT Health academic affiliation; UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage

Sources: AHA 2026 Fast Facts (Feb 3 2026 — 6,200+ hospitals); CMS 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (Nov 14 2025 — $1,736 Part A deductible; $434/day days 61–90; $868/day reserve days); AHA Majority of Hospital Payments Fact Sheet (Mar 16 2026 — 60% Medicare/Medicaid share; 96% hospitals with 50%+ Medicare inpatient days); Becker’s 40+ MA Dropouts (Nov 2025 ongoing — Mayo/UHC/Humana; NYP/UHC; JHM/UHC; 40+ systems); Medicare.gov emergency care coverage MA plans (federal law mandate); KFF Medicare Certified Hospitals state indicator (Jan 2026)

All figures are official CMS costs effective January 1, 2026. Your actual out-of-pocket costs depend on whether you have a Medigap supplement, Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program, or a Medicare Advantage plan. The figures below apply to Original Medicare only.

Sources: CMS 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (Nov 14 2025); Federal Register CY 2026 Inpatient Hospital Deductible (Nov 19 2025 — $1,736 deductible; $434 days 61-90; $868 reserve; $217 SNF days 21-100); Medicare.gov Inpatient Hospital Care 2026; NCOA 2026 Out-of-Pocket Medicare Costs (MA OOP max $9,250 decreased $100); Humana Medicare 2026 cost guide; Medigap Plan G covers Part A deductible + all coinsurance + Part B 20% (except Part B deductible $283); Medicare.gov observation vs. inpatient status guidance

Sources: Medicare Rights Center (Feb 12 2026 — FY2026 funding bill; MA provider directory accuracy reform); Medicare.gov participating vs. non-participating providers; Medicare.gov excess charges (15% limit non-participating); CMS Conditions of Participation QMB billing prohibition (42 CFR Part 489); NCOA / SHIP counselors (1-877-839-2675; shiphelp.org); Medicare.gov Care Compare (150+ quality measures; 1-5 star ratings; HCAHPS; readmission; mortality; infection); Becker’s MA network changes (JHM, NYP, Mayo out-of-network dates 2025–2026); CMS 2026 MA OOP maximum $9,250; Medicare.gov observation vs. inpatient guidance; U.S. News Best Hospitals 2025; Leapfrog Group hospital safety grades (leapfroggroup.org); EMTALA Medicare emergency coverage any hospital

Allow location access when prompted to find the most relevant Medicare hospital resources in your area. All hospital systems listed accept Original Medicare. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit medicare.gov/care-compare to verify any hospital’s current Medicare status.