What is the duration of inpatient hospital services covered by Medicare Part A?

Medicare Part A provides coverage for inpatient hospital services, and the duration of these services is defined by a benefit period. A benefit period begins when a beneficiary is admitted to a hospital and ends when they have been out of the hospital for 60 consecutive days. Within each benefit period, Medicare covers up to 90 days of inpatient hospital care. This is important for beneficiaries to understand as it impacts how long they can receive hospital services with Medicare coverage before incurring additional costs.

After exhausting the initial 90 days, there are additional lifetime reserve days available, but the core coverage per benefit period is specified as 90 days. This includes coverage for necessary hospital stays, ensuring individuals receive the medical attention required without the immediate burden of out-of-pocket expenses for a significant duration.