You can sign up for Part A alone, but it covers only hospital care — most people pair it with Part B for doctor visits

Yes, you can enroll in Part A without Part B. Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and preventive services. Nothing requires you to take both at the same time.

That said, most people do sign up for both because Part A alone leaves large gaps. If you see a doctor in an office or get lab work done, Part A does not pay for it. You would pay the full cost yourself unless you have other coverage — a retiree plan from a former employer, Medicaid, or a private policy.

The main reason to take Part A alone is if you have creditable coverage from a current or former employer that covers doctor visits. In that case, you can delay Part B without penalty and use your employer plan instead. Part A is still worth having because hospital bills are steep and employer plans often do not cover long hospital stays.

Key Takeaways

  • Part A covers hospital and skilled nursing care; Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient services — they are separate and you can choose one without the other.
  • If you have employer coverage that includes doctor visits, you can take Part A alone and use your employer plan for Part B services.
  • Delaying Part B while you have creditable employer coverage does not trigger a penalty when you enroll later.
  • If you have no other coverage for doctor visits, taking Part A alone leaves you paying out of pocket for office visits, lab work, and imaging.
  • You must enroll in Part A during your initial enrollment period or a later general enrollment period to avoid permanent premium increases.

When Part A alone makes sense

Part A alone is practical if you are still working and your employer health plan covers doctor visits and outpatient care. Your employer plan handles the doctor side, and Part A protects you from the catastrophic cost of a hospital stay. This setup is common for people who turn 65 while still employed.

You also might choose Part A alone if you are enrolled in Medicaid in your state. Medicaid can cover some or all of Part B premiums and cost-sharing, so you may not need to enroll in Part B right away. Check with your state Medicaid office about how Part B interacts with your coverage.

Another scenario: you have a retiree health plan from a former employer that covers doctor visits. That plan becomes your secondary coverage once you enroll in Medicare Part A, and it fills in gaps that Part A does not cover.

The enrollment window and timing

You can enroll in Part A during your initial enrollment period, which runs three months before the month you turn 65, through three months after. You can also enroll during the general enrollment period, which is January 1 through March 31 each year, with coverage starting July 1.

If you miss both windows and do not have creditable coverage, Medicare charges a permanent premium increase on Part A. The increase is 10 percent of the Part A premium for each full year you delayed enrollment. That penalty stays with you for life, so enrolling on time matters even if you only want Part A.

If you have creditable employer coverage, you can delay Part A without penalty as long as you enroll within eight months of losing that coverage. The same rule applies to Part B: no penalty if you enroll within eight months of losing creditable coverage.

How to enroll in Part A only

You can enroll through Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or in person at your local Social Security office. When you explore, tell them you want Part A only. They will ask whether you want Part B, and you can say no.

You will need your Social Security number, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and information about any current health coverage. If you are still working, bring a recent pay stub or letter from your employer confirming your employment and group health plan details.

Processing usually takes about two weeks. Your Medicare card will show Part A coverage. If you enroll in Part B later, you will receive an updated card.

What Part A costs and what it covers

Part A has no monthly premium if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years while working. If you do not meet that requirement, the premium ranges depending on how many quarters of coverage you have; amounts vary by year.

Part A covers the first 60 days of a hospital stay in full (after you pay the deductible, which changes yearly). Days 61–90 require a daily coinsurance amount. Beyond 90 days, you pay more. Skilled nursing facility care is covered for up to 100 days per benefit period if you were hospitalized first. Home health and hospice are also covered under Part A.

Part A does not cover doctor visits, lab work, imaging, physical therapy in an outpatient setting, or prescription drugs. It also does not cover long-term care or custodial care in a nursing home.

What happens if you delay Part B

If you enroll in Part A but not Part B, you can enroll in Part B later without penalty as long as you have creditable coverage when you delay. Creditable coverage means health insurance that is at least as good as Medicare Part B — typically an employer plan, retiree plan, or Medicaid.

When you lose that coverage, you have eight months to enroll in Part B without a penalty. If you miss that window, Medicare charges a late enrollment penalty of 10 percent of the Part B premium for each full year you delayed, and that penalty is permanent.

You can enroll in Part B during the general enrollment period (January 1 through March 31), with coverage starting July 1. If you have a may have access to life event — such as losing employer coverage — you may be able to enroll outside that window.

Combining Part A with other coverage types

If you are on Medicaid, you can have both Part A and Medicaid at the same time. Medicaid becomes your secondary payer and covers some or all of your Part A cost-sharing. Contact your state Medicaid office to understand how enrollment in Part A affects your benefits.

If you have a TRICARE plan (military health coverage), you must enroll in Part A and Part B when you turn 65, even if you want to keep using TRICARE. TRICARE becomes secondary to Medicare. Delaying either part can result in a permanent penalty.

If you have a Veterans Affairs (VA) health plan, you can enroll in Part A alone and use your VA coverage for doctor visits. However, you still need to enroll in Part A during your initial enrollment period to avoid a penalty. The VA does not count as creditable coverage for Part B purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have a gap in coverage if I take Part A but not Part B?

Yes, unless you have other insurance. Part A covers hospital stays but not doctor visits or outpatient services. If you see a doctor without Part B or another plan, you pay the full bill. If you have employer coverage, retiree coverage, or Medicaid, that plan covers the gap.

Can I enroll in Part A and Part B at different times?

Yes. You can enroll in Part A during your initial enrollment period and delay Part B if you have creditable coverage. When you lose that coverage, you have eight months to enroll in Part B without a penalty. After eight months, a permanent premium increase applies.

What if I am still working — do I have to take Part B?

No. If your employer plan covers doctor visits, you can take Part A alone and use your employer plan for Part B services. You must enroll in Part A during your initial enrollment period or face a permanent penalty, but Part B can wait as long as you have creditable coverage.

Does Part A have a monthly premium?

Part A has no monthly premium if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. If you do not meet that requirement, you pay a monthly premium that varies by the number of quarters of coverage you have.

What if I miss my enrollment important date for Part A?

You can still enroll during the general enrollment period (January 1 through March 31), with coverage starting July 1. However, if you miss your initial enrollment period and do not have creditable coverage, you will owe a permanent 10 percent premium increase for each year you delayed.