A Medicare supplement broker told me something about "extra lifetime reserve hospital days". What are those and how do they work?

Question

Michael Andrews · Accepted Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/medicare-broker-talks-about-medicare-supplement-extra-lifetime-reserve-hospital-days#michael-andrews

Paul Potter · Answer

It sounds like you are not comfortable with that agent and that does happen.  Medicare covers your hospital stays and should you use more than 90 days, Medicare covers an additional 60     (lifetime reserve days).  Of course, you pay for your first 60 days in your deductible then on a per day basis for the next 30 days and even more should you get to lifetime reserve days. Medicare Supplement plans help pay for these days AND ADD 365 additional days.

I hope this helps.  If you would like to discuss, you can Email me at PaulPotter@Email.com

Dana Dane · Answer

Please go to the link provided below that will take you to Medicare's website explaining your question.

https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/inpatient-hospital-care

Yasmery Vargas · Answer

If you are on Original Medicare and receive inpatient care in a hospital for longer than 90 days, Medicare Part A gives you an extra 60 days. These are called lifetime reserve days because you can only use them once in your life.

Answered by Yasmery Vargas on April 29, 2025

Agent Licensed in PA

Answered by Yasmery Vargas Medicare Insurance Agent

Tony Hardwick · Answer

In Original Medicare, these are additional days that Medicare will pay for after you've been in the hospital for 90 days. You have a total of 60 reserve days in a lifetime.

Randy Hill · Answer

When you go to the hospital, Medicare Part A pays for your stay but only for a certain number of days.
Here’s the simple way to think about it:

Medicare covers up to 90 days in the hospital for each “benefit period” (that’s like one full visit or one long hospital stay).

If you stay longer than 90 days, Medicare gives you a special gift called Lifetime Reserve Days.

You get 60 extra days that you can use over your whole life — not 60 extra days every year, just 60 TOTAL for your lifetime.

These extra days help pay for hospital stays that are longer than normal.

How they work.

If you’re still in the hospital after 90 days, Medicare will automatically start using your Lifetime Reserve Days, one day at a time.

Medicare pays most of the cost, but you have to pay a daily fee (called a coinsurance amount) for each Lifetime Reserve Day you use.

Once you use up all 60 Lifetime Reserve Days, they’re gone forever and you don’t get new ones.

Simple Example:
Imagine you’re in the hospital for 100 days during one stay:

Days 1–60: Medicare covers almost everything (you just pay a small deductible).

Days 61–90: You pay a daily copay, but Medicare still helps.

Day 91–100: Medicare starts using your Lifetime Reserve Days, and you pay a daily coinsurance each day you stay.

After the 60 extra days are used up, Medicare stops paying for that hospital stay — and you have to pay 100% of the cost for any more days you stay.

Tip:
Some people get extra protection by having a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. Some of these plans help cover hospital costs so you don’t get stuck with a big bill!

In short:
Lifetime Reserve Days are like extra “bonus days” for long hospital stays but you only get 60 of them for your whole life.

Hope this helps!

If you want, I can also show you which Medicare Supplement plans help cover those costs to make it even easier!

Patrick Stinson · Answer

Lifetime reserve days are extra days of inpatient hospital coverage in Original Medicare beyond the standard 90 days per benefit period. You have a total of 60 lifetime reserve days that can be used once during your lifetime. For each reserve day, you'll pay a coinsurance fee, and Medicare covers the remaining costs.

Answered by Patrick Stinson on April 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AR, AZ & 9 other states

Answered by Patrick Stinson Medicare Insurance Agent

Ingrid Kollmann · Answer

60 Medicare lifetime reserve days provide additional coverage beyond the initial 90-day benefit period in a hospital stay.

A Medicare supplement broker told me something about "extra lifetime reserve hospital days". What are those and how do they work?

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A Medicare supplement broker told me something about "extra lifetime reserve hospital days". What are those and how do they work?

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