Do Medicare's 100 days of skilled nursing coverage reset every year, or is it a once-in-a-lifetime limit?
Answered by 2 licensed agents
A benefit period generally ends after the beneficiary has gone 60 consecutive days without inpatient hospital care or skilled SNF care. Once that benefit period ends, a new benefit period can begin, and the beneficiary can potentially qualify for another 100 SNF days. There’s no lifetime limit on the number of benefit periods.
For example: someone uses all 100 SNF days, then later goes at least 60 consecutive days without inpatient hospital or skilled SNF care. If they subsequently meet Medicare’s requirements for a new covered SNF stay, they can have a new 100-day benefit period.
One important distinction: 100 days is the maximum covered SNF benefit, not 100 days of free nursing-home care. Medicare only covers medically necessary skilled care when the coverage requirements are met; it generally does not cover long-term custodial nursing-home care.
Also, don’t confuse this with Medicare’s 60 lifetime reserve days for inpatient hospital care—those actually are lifetime days.
Answered by Cody Biggs on October 6, 2026
Broker Licensed in LA, AL, AZ & 24 other states
A benefit period ends after 60 consecutive days without inpatient hospital care or skilled care in a skilled nursing facility. After that, a new qualifying stay can make another 100 days available. You must meet the coverage requirements again, generally including a qualifying three-day inpatient hospital stay.
The catch: 100 days is the maximum, not guaranteed coverage. Medicare only covers qualifying skilled care while its requirements are met; it generally doesn’t cover long-term custodial nursing home care. Medicare Advantage members should check their plan’s coverage and costs.
Answered by Leslie Kaz on October 6, 2026
Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AZ & 7 other states
Tags: Advice for Caretakers Coverage Medicare Part A
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