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

Older woman during an eye exam
Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Eye Exams?
Jan 11, 2023
woman sitting on sofa feeling pain in her foot at home stock photo
Does Medicare Cover Qutenza?
Jan 13, 2023
hand holding up Invisalign stock photo
Does Medicare Cover Orthodontic Care?
Nov 18, 2022
Senior couple going over their finances stock photo
Explaining IRMAA on Medicare
Dec 21, 2022
Teenager Helping his Grandfather at Home stock photo
Does Medicare Cover Geri Chairs?
Dec 7, 2022
stack of books stock image
Do You Need Books on Medicare?
Apr 6, 2023
Rattlesnake biting on a hiker's boot stock image
Does Medicare Pay for Antivenom?
Dec 6, 2022
Medicare cost stock image
How Much Does Medicare Cost?
Jul 25, 2022
older man suffering from stomach pain due to IBS stock photo
Does Medicare Cover Xiafaxan?
Jan 19, 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
Kidney stone stock image
Does Medicare Cover Kidney Stone Removal?
Nov 23, 2022
wart on the sole of a white man's foot stock photo
Does Medicare Cover Wart Removal?
Jan 17, 2023
Close up of a senior clutching their right wrist in pain stock photo
Does Medicare Cover Cala Trio?
Nov 23, 2022
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
Cover image
What Is a Medicare Supplement SELECT Plan?
Apr 25, 2023
Cover image
Can I Use Medicare Part D at Any Pharmacy?
Aug 28, 2023
senior couple doing yoga stock image
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Columbus
Mar 8, 2023
Medicare at 62 stock image
Does Retiring at Age 62 Make Me Eligible for Medicare?
Jun 16, 2022

More of our articles

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Jacksonville

14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Washington, D.C.

14 Best Ways to Stay Active in Charlotte

2024 Fair Square Client Retention and Satisfaction Report

Are Medicare Advantage Plans Bad?

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

Comparing All Medigap Plans | Chart Updated for 2025

Does Medicare Cover a Spinal Cord Stimulator?

Does Medicare Cover Breast Implant Removal?

Does Medicare Cover Cardiac Ablation?

Does Medicare Cover Cartiva Implants?

Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Cold Laser Therapy (CLT)?

Does Medicare Cover COVID Tests?

Does Medicare Cover Driving Evaluations?

Does Medicare Cover Exercise Physiology?

Does Medicare Cover Flu Shots?

Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?

Does Medicare Cover Hoarding Cleanup?

Does Medicare Cover Inspire for Sleep Apnea?

Does Medicare Cover Jakafi?

Does Medicare Cover Ketamine Infusion for Depression?

Does Medicare Cover LVAD Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Medical Marijuana?

Does Medicare Cover Mouth Guards for Sleep Apnea?

Does Medicare Cover Physicals & Blood Work?

Does Medicare Cover Piqray?

Does Medicare Cover SI Joint Fusion?

Does Medicare Cover SIBO Testing?

Does Medicare Cover Stair Lifts?

Does Medicare Cover the WATCHMAN Procedure?

Does Medicare Cover Tymlos?

Does Medicare Cover Urodynamic Testing?

Does Medicare Require a Referral for Audiology Exams?

Does Your Medicare Plan Cover B12 Shots?

Estimating Prescription Drug Costs

Everything About Your Medicare Card + Medicare Number

Explaining the Different Enrollment Periods for Medicare

Fair Square Bulletin: We're Revolutionizing Medicare

Finding the Best Vision Plans for Seniors

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Medicare

How Can I Get a Replacement Medicare Card?

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 Cover Colonoscopies?

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 Medicare Costs Can Pile Up

How Much Does a Pacemaker Cost with Medicare?

How Much Does Open Heart Surgery Cost with Medicare?

How Much Does Rexulti Cost with Medicare?

How to Deduct Medicare Expenses from Your Taxes

Is Fair Square Medicare Legitimate?

Is PAE Covered by Medicare?

Is the Shingles Vaccine Covered by Medicare?

Medicare & Ozempic

Medicare Advantage Plans for Disabled People Under 65

Medicare Savings Programs in Kansas

Plan G vs. Plan N

Welcome to Fair Square's First Newsletter

What Is a Medicare Advantage POS Plan?

What is the 8-Minute Rule on Medicare?

What Is the Medicare Birthday Rule in Nevada?

What is the Medicare ICEP?

What To Do If Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued

When Can You Change Medicare Supplement Plans?

When to Choose Medicare Advantage over Medicare Supplement

Why You Should Keep Your Medigap Plan

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