Medicare part a helps pay for up to 90 days of in-patient care per benefit period, in any Medicare-participating hospital. During the first 60 days, you pay a deductible amount, then Medicare pays for all other covered services. During days 61 through 90, you are responsible for a daily co-insurance amount, and Medicare pays the remaining cost of all covered services. Co-insurance is the part of the bill that a beneficiary must pay, even after the deductible is met. Once you are out of the hospital for at least 60 consecutive days, a new benefit period may begin. If you have to go back in the hospital, you have another 90 days of coverage, but must pay another deductible. Those who require more than 90 days of care during a benefit period may be able to use their reserve days. Every beneficiary gets 60 reserve days in their lifetime; you can use them at any time to extend coverage of a hospital stay. On a reserve day, as on a regular benefit day, you pay the daily co-insurance, and Medicare pays for the remainder of covered services. To find out more about Medicare coverage of inpatient care, contact the social security office.
