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
Will Medicare Cover it?
Oct 3, 2023
breast cancer awareness ribbon stock image
Does Medicare Cover Piqray?
Dec 2, 2022
Gloved hands with a scalpel begin a knee replacement surgery
Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?
Jan 11, 2023
Female physiotherapist helping elderly man in wheelchair do exercises with dumbbells at health center stock photo
What Does Medicare Cover for Stroke Patients?
Jan 20, 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
Mouth guard used to help treat sleep apnea
Does Medicare Cover Mouth Guards for Sleep Apnea?
Dec 8, 2022
Medigap stock image
What Is Medical Underwriting for Medigap?
Apr 14, 2023
Cover image
Fair Square Client Newsletter: AEP Edition
Oct 2, 2023
Man with disability and service dog stock photo
Does Medicare Cover Service Animals?
Nov 29, 2022
Washington DC stock image
14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Washington, D.C.
Mar 11, 2023
various people wearing masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic stock photo
How Does the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Affect Your Medicare?
Mar 3, 2023
Medigap on a post-it note surrounded by a stethoscope stock image
Do Medicare Supplement Plans Cover Dental and Vision?
Dec 8, 2022
Leg bones and knees, 3d rendering. stock photo
Does Medicare Cover Fosamax?
Nov 30, 2022
senior couple doing yoga stock image
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Columbus
Mar 8, 2023
Ozempic stock image
Does Medicare Cover Ozempic?
Mar 28, 2023
Nashville city skyline stock image
14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Nashville
Mar 10, 2023
A person with a shopping cart already containing medicaid and medicare sees Medigap options on a table. In a thought bubble, they ask "Should I get Medigap too?"
Do You Need Medigap if You're Eligible for Both Medicare and Medicaid?
Jan 7, 2023
Cover image
Can I Choose Marketplace Coverage Instead of Medicare?
May 2, 2023

More of our articles

15 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Denver

2024 Cost of Living Adjustment

2024 Fair Square Client Retention and Satisfaction Report

2025 Medicare Price Changes

Can I Change Medicare Advantage Plans Any Time? | Medicare Plans

Can I Laminate My Medicare Card?

Can Medicare Advantage Plans be Used Out of State?

Can Medicare Advantage Plans Deny Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions?

Costco Pharmacy Partners with Fair Square

Do All Hospitals Accept Medicare Advantage Plans?

Do I Need to Renew My Medicare?

Do You Need Books on Medicare?

Does Medicare Cover a Spinal Cord Stimulator?

Does Medicare Cover Abortion Services?

Does Medicare Cover Air Purifiers?

Does Medicare Cover Boniva?

Does Medicare Cover Cala Trio?

Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Cervical Disc Replacement?

Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic Visits?

Does Medicare Cover Cosmetic Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Eye Exams?

Does Medicare Cover ESRD Treatments?

Does Medicare Cover Home Heart Monitors?

Does Medicare cover Hyoscyamine?

Does Medicare Cover Ketamine Infusion for Depression?

Does Medicare Cover Krystexxa?

Does Medicare Cover Linx Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Medical Marijuana?

Does Medicare Cover Mental Health?

Does Medicare Cover Nuedexta?

Does Medicare Cover PTNS?

Does Medicare Cover RSV Vaccines?

Does Medicare Cover Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis?

Does Medicare Cover SIBO Testing?

Does Medicare Cover Stair Lifts?

Does Medicare Cover the WATCHMAN Procedure?

Does Medicare Cover Tymlos?

Does Medicare Cover Vitamins?

Does Medicare Cover Wart Removal?

Does Medicare Have Limitations on Hospital Stays?

Does Medicare Pay for Funeral Expenses?

Does Medicare pay for Opdivo?

Does Medicare Pay for Varicose Vein Treatment?

Does Your Plan Include A Free Gym Membership?

Fair Square Bulletin: We're Revolutionizing Medicare

How Do I Sign up for Medicare? A Simple How-To Guide For You

How Do Medicare Agents Get Paid?

How Do Medigap Premiums Vary?

How Does Medicare Pay for Emergency Room Visits?

How is Medicare Changing in 2025?

How Medicare Costs Can Pile Up

How Much Does Medicare Part A Cost in 2025?

How Much Does Open Heart Surgery Cost with Medicare?

How Much Does Trelegy Cost with Medicare?

How Often Can I Change Medicare Plans?

Is Balloon Sinuplasty Covered by Medicare?

Is HIFU Covered by Medicare?

Is PAE Covered by Medicare?

Medicare 101

Medicare Advantage Plans for Disabled People Under 65

Medicare Deductibles Resetting in 2025

Medicare Guaranteed Issue Rights by State

Medicare Savings Programs in Kansas

Seeing the Value in Fair Square

Top 10 Physical Therapy Clinics in San Diego

What If I Don't Like My Plan?

What Is a Medicare Supplement SELECT Plan?

What is the Medicare ICEP?

What To Do If Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued

What to Do When Your Doctor Doesn't Take Medicare

Which Medigap Policies Provide Coverage for Long-Term Care?

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