What Is a Medicare Part A Benefit Period?
Short answer
A Part A benefit period begins when you are admitted as an inpatient to a hospital or SNF and ends after 60 consecutive days without inpatient hospital or SNF care.
Coverage
Part A hospital and SNF deductibles, day limits and coinsurance are measured by benefit period rather than by calendar year.
Not Automatic
A new calendar year does not by itself start a new Part A benefit period, and a new benefit period can begin more than once in the same year.
Practical Example
If someone leaves a SNF and goes 60 consecutive days without inpatient hospital or SNF care, a later inpatient admission starts a new benefit period and can trigger a new Part A deductible.
Questions to verify
- When did the current benefit period begin?
- Have 60 consecutive days passed without inpatient hospital or SNF care?
- How many covered days remain?