Fair Square Medicare Wordmark

Does Medicare Have Limitations on Hospital Stays?

Cover image

By Daniel Petkevich

Mar 15, 2024

Medicare Part A provides coverage for hospital inpatient care, but it is subject to certain limitations. Once you have used up your Medicare Part A hospital inpatient days, you may be responsible for covering the costs of any additional inpatient care you receive during the same benefit period.

Stay Up to Date on Medicare!

Join the Fair Square Medicare Newsletter to stay informed on cost savings, changes to Medicare, and other valuable healthcare information.

Here's a breakdown of what happens when you exhaust your Medicare Part A hospital inpatient days:

  1. Benefit Period: Medicare Part A measures your hospital coverage based on benefit periods. A benefit period begins the day you're admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility and ends when you've been out of the hospital or skilled nursing facility for 60 consecutive days. If you're readmitted after the end of a benefit period, a new benefit period begins, and you will have a new set of inpatient hospital days available.

  2. Costs After Using Inpatient Days: Once you've used up your allotted inpatient hospital days within a benefit period (90 days), Medicare Part A coverage for inpatient care typically stops. You may be responsible for all hospital costs during this period, including room and board, medical services, and supplies. Sixty 'reserve' days per lifetime may be used if needed) However, Medicare Part B may still cover certain outpatient services and medical supplies.

  3. Part A Deductible and Coinsurance: Medicare Part A also has deductible and coinsurance amounts you may need to pay. There is a deductible for each benefit period and coinsurance amounts for extended hospital stays. These amounts may change annually, so checking with Medicare or your healthcare provider for the most up-to-date information is important.

  4. Medicare Advantage Plans: If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), your coverage for inpatient hospital care may differ from Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Some Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits or different cost-sharing arrangements, so reviewing your plan's terms and conditions is essential.

  5. Medigap/Supplement Plans: If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, it can fill in some gaps in your Original Medicare (Parts A and B). For example, Medigap Plan G will extend your Part A coinsurance up to 365 days, cover you hospital deductible, and skilled nursing co-pays.

  6. Out-of-Pocket Costs: If you need extended inpatient hospital care and no longer have Medicare Part A days available, you may have to pay for these services out of pocket unless you have other supplemental insurance coverage.

It's crucial to understand your Medicare coverage and its limitations. If you anticipate needing extended hospital care or have specific healthcare needs, it's a good idea to explore additional coverage options, such as Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policies, to help offset some of the out-of-pocket costs associated with inpatient care. Schedule a chat with one of our Medicare experts to discuss coverage by scheduling an appointment at

fairsquaremedicare.com

or calling 1-888-454-2383. We're looking forward to talking to you!

Stay Up to Date on Medicare!

Join the Fair Square Medicare Newsletter to stay informed on cost savings, changes to Medicare, and other valuable healthcare information.

Recommended Articles

Cover image

2025 Medicare Price Changes

Oct 30, 2023

Abortion stock image

Does Medicare Cover Abortion Services?

Dec 13, 2022

a doctor tells her patient she doesn't accept medicare. the patient wonders what to do stock image

What to Do When Your Doctor Doesn't Take Medicare

Feb 24, 2023

Leg bones and knees, 3d rendering. stock photo

Does Medicare Cover Tymlos?

Dec 5, 2022

Charlotte skyline stock image

14 Best Ways to Stay Active in Charlotte

Mar 9, 2023

A women's restroom sign that has been modified to show the stick figure woman needing to use the toilet

Does Medicare Cover Bladder Sling Surgery?

Jan 11, 2023

Close up of a woman sitting on a bed experiencing back pain

Does Medicare Cover TENS Units?

Nov 23, 2022

Upset senior woman crying stock photo

Does Medicare Cover Nuedexta?

Nov 30, 2022

Doctor talking to patients are explaining the treatment of a patient's illness stock photo

How Much Does Rexulti Cost with Medicare?

Jan 24, 2023

Teenager Helping his Grandfather at Home stock photo

Does Medicare Cover Geri Chairs?

Dec 7, 2022

Vitamin in a syringe stock photo

Does Your Medicare Plan Cover B12 Shots?

Aug 15, 2022

Cover image

Estimating Prescription Drug Costs

May 25, 2020

Medicare check yes stock image

How to Apply for Medicare?

Jul 15, 2022

Medicare cost stock image

How Much Does Medicare Cost?

Jul 25, 2022

Psoriasis on elbow stock photo

Does Medicare Cover Ilumya?

Dec 7, 2022

Medigap stock image

When Can You Change Medicare Supplement Plans?

Nov 18, 2022

Cover image

Can Medicare Advantage Plans be Used Out of State?

Jun 12, 2023

What is the ICEP?

What is the Medicare ICEP?

Apr 7, 2023

More of our articles

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Columbus

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Indianapolis

14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Seattle

2024 Cost of Living Adjustment

2024 Fair Square Client Retention and Satisfaction Report

Are Medicare Advantage Plans Bad?

Building the Future of Senior Healthcare

Do I Need to Renew My Medicare?

Do You Need Medigap if You're Eligible for Both Medicare and Medicaid?

Does Medicare Cover Air Purifiers?

Does Medicare Cover an FMT?

Does Medicare Cover Bariatric Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Boniva?

Does Medicare Cover Cardiac Ablation?

Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic Visits?

Does Medicare Cover Compounded Medications?

Does Medicare Cover Cosmetic Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover COVID Tests?

Does Medicare cover Deviated Septum Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Driving Evaluations?

Does Medicare Cover ESRD Treatments?

Does Medicare Cover Exercise Physiology?

Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?

Does Medicare Cover Inqovi?

Does Medicare Cover Inspire for Sleep Apnea?

Does Medicare Cover Ketamine Infusion for Depression?

Does Medicare Cover Lipoma Removal?

Does Medicare Cover Mouth Guards for Sleep Apnea?

Does Medicare Cover Ofev?

Does Medicare Cover Robotic Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis?

Does Medicare Cover SIBO Testing?

Does Medicare Cover Stair Lifts?

Does Medicare Cover the Urolift Procedure?

Does Medicare Cover the WATCHMAN Procedure?

Does Medicare Cover Wart Removal?

Does Medicare Have Limitations on Hospital Stays?

Does Retiring at Age 62 Make Me Eligible for Medicare?

Explaining the Different Enrollment Periods for Medicare

Fair Square Client Newsletter: AEP Edition

Finding the Best Vision Plans for Seniors

How Are Medicare Star Ratings Determined?

How Do Medicare Agents Get Paid?

How is Medicare Changing in 2025?

How Much Does Medicare Part B Cost in 2025?

How Often Can I Change Medicare Plans?

How to Choose a Medigap Plan

Is Balloon Sinuplasty Covered by Medicare?

Is Botox Covered by Medicare?

Is Fair Square Medicare Legitimate?

Is the Shingles Vaccine Covered by Medicare?

Is Vitrectomy Surgery Covered by Medicare?

Medicare Savings Programs in Kansas

Medicare Supplement Plans for Low-Income Seniors

Plan G vs. Plan N

Seeing the Value in Fair Square

Should You Work With A Remote Medicare Agent?

The Fair Square Bulletin: October 2023

Welcome to Fair Square's First Newsletter

What Is a Medicare Advantage POS Plan?

What is a Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman?

What Is Medical Underwriting for Medigap?

What is the 8-Minute Rule on Medicare?

What Is the Medicare Birthday Rule in Nevada?

What To Do If Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued

What's the Deal with Flex Cards?

What's the Difference Between HMO and PPO Plans?

Which Medigap Policies Provide Coverage for Long-Term Care?

Why Is Medicare So Confusing?

Will Medicare Cover Dental Implants?

Will Medicare Cover it?

Your Medicare One-Stop-Shop

Your guide to Medicare Parts A & B, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap. 100% free.

Get the Fair Square Bulletin

Medicare savings tips, helpful guides, and more.

About

Medicare 101

Current Clients

Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans

Fair Square 2025

Terms of Use
Notice of Privacy Practices

Virgil Insurance Agency, LLC (DBA Fair Square Medicare) and www.fairsquaremedicare.com are privately owned and operated by Help Button Inc. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. Virgil Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. © 2025 Help Button Inc

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

MULTIPLAN_FairSquareMedicare_01062022_M