Benefit Period
Medicare Glossary
How Original Medicare measures your use of hospital and skilled nursing facility (SNF) services. Your benefit period begins the day you are admitted for inpatient care, and ends when you've had 60 consecutive days without any inpatient care. If you are admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility after your benefit period has ended, a new period begins, and there is no limit to the number of benefit periods.
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This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation of any specific Medicare plan. Benefits, costs, and availability vary by plan and location. For complete information about your Medicare options, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY: 1-877-486-2048, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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