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.

Speak with a Medicare Advocate

Talk to one of our Licensed Medicare Agents today to find the right plans for you.

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!

Speak with a Medicare Advocate

Talk to one of our Licensed Medicare Agents today to find the right plans for you.

Recommended Articles

Cover image

The Fair Square Bulletin: October 2023

Oct 2, 2023

Cover image

Estimating Prescription Drug Costs

May 25, 2020

Arizona desert stock photo

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Phoenix

Mar 6, 2023

A doctor with a clipboard consults a female patient with cancer

Does Medicare Cover Inqovi?

Jan 11, 2023

woman working from home with a headset on stock image

How Do Medicare Agents Get Paid?

Apr 12, 2023

Costco & Fair Square

Costco Pharmacy Partners with Fair Square

Jan 13, 2023

Doctor physician consulting with male patient in hospital exam room stock photo

Is Gainswave Covered by Medicare?

Dec 6, 2022

Four hands holding cut out image of kidneys stock image

Does Medicare Cover ESRD Treatments?

Dec 8, 2022

Ozempic stock image

Does Medicare Cover Ozempic?

Mar 28, 2023

Senior woman having vision problems stock photo

Does Medicare Cover Macular Degeneration?

Nov 30, 2022

Psoriasis on elbow stock photo

Does Medicare Cover Ilumya?

Dec 7, 2022

Cover image

Is Fair Square Medicare Legitimate?

Jul 27, 2023

Dames Point Bridge in Jacksonville, Florida stock image

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Jacksonville

Mar 3, 2023

Cover image

Medicare Deductibles Resetting in 2025

Jan 18, 2024

senior gentleman wearing a suit working on his laptop outside of his office stock photo

How Your Employer Insurance and Medicare Work Together

Sep 27, 2022

Cover image

Can I Use Medicare Part D at Any Pharmacy?

Aug 28, 2023

Caucasian nurse holding spine model against the patients backs. Clinic interior. stock photo

Does Medicare Cover SI Joint Fusion?

Nov 28, 2022

Cover image

Fair Square Bulletin: We're Revolutionizing Medicare

Apr 27, 2023

More of our articles

10 Top Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Companies for 2025

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Indianapolis

14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Nashville

20 Questions to Ask Your Medicare Agent

2024 Cost of Living Adjustment

Building the Future of Senior Healthcare

Can I Choose Marketplace Coverage Instead of Medicare?

Can I Have Two Primary Care Physicians?

Can I Laminate My Medicare Card?

Do I Need Medicare If My Spouse Has Insurance?

Do Medicare Supplement Plans Cover Dental and Vision?

Does Medicare Cover Abortion Services?

Does Medicare Cover Air Purifiers?

Does Medicare Cover Bariatric Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Bladder Sling Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Cala Trio?

Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Compounded Medications?

Does Medicare Cover COVID Tests?

Does Medicare Cover Hypnotherapy?

Does Medicare Cover Incontinence Supplies?

Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?

Does Medicare Cover Jakafi?

Does Medicare Cover Light Therapy for Psoriasis?

Does Medicare Cover Linx Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Lipoma Removal?

Does Medicare Cover Nexavar?

Does Medicare Cover Ofev?

Does Medicare Cover Orthodontic Care?

Does Medicare Cover Oxybutynin?

Does Medicare Cover Penile Implant Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Piqray?

Does Medicare Cover RSV Vaccines?

Does Medicare Cover the WATCHMAN Procedure?

Does Medicare Cover Vitamins?

Does Medicare Cover Zilretta?

Does Medicare Pay for Funeral Expenses?

Does Medicare pay for Opdivo?

Does Medicare Require a Referral for Audiology Exams?

Does Your Plan Include A Free Gym Membership?

Everything About Your Medicare Card + Medicare Number

Fair Square Client Newsletter: AEP Edition

Finding the Best Dental Plans for Seniors

Gap Health Insurance: The Secret Sidekick to Your High-Deductible Plan

How Can I Get a Replacement Medicare Card?

How Does Medicare Pay for Emergency Room Visits?

How Does the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Affect Your Medicare?

How is Medicare Changing in 2025?

How Much Does a Medicare Coach Cost?

How Much Does Medicare Cost?

How to Deduct Medicare Expenses from Your Taxes

How to Enroll in Social Security

Is Botox Covered by Medicare?

Is Emsella Covered by Medicare?

Medicare Savings Programs in Kansas

Medicare Supplement Plans for Low-Income Seniors

Medigap Plan N vs. Plan G — Which One Fits You in 2025?

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

Saving Money with Alternative Pharmacies & Discount Programs

The Easiest Call You'll Ever Make

Turning 65 and Thinking of Keeping COBRA? Here’s Why It Usually Backfires

What Does Medicare Cover for Stroke Patients?

What If I Don't Like My Plan?

What Is a Medicare Advantage POS Plan?

What is a Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman?

What Is a Medicare Supplement SELECT Plan?

What Is Medical Underwriting for Medigap?

What is the Medicare ICEP?

What To Do If Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued

What to Do When Your Doctor Leaves Your Network

What You Need to Know About Creditable Coverage

When to Choose Medicare Advantage over Medicare Supplement

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