What s a benefit period? (from http://www.cms.hhs.
Coverage for care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities is measured in “benefit periods.” In each benefit period, there are limits to the number of days Medicare will help pay for inpatient hospital and skilled nursing facility care. Once the limit is exceeded, the beneficiary is responsible for all charges for each additional day of care. A benefit period begins the day of admission to a hospital. It ends when the beneficiary has been out of a hospital or skilled nursing facility for 60 straight days, including the day of discharge. It also ends for those in a skilled nursing facility who have not received skilled nursing care for 60 straight days. Once a benefit period has ended, a new benefit period begins and hospital and skilled nursing facility benefits are renewed. There is no limit to the total number of benefit periods.
