A Medicare supplement broker told me something about "extra lifetime reserve hospital days". What are those and how do they work?
Answered by 14 licensed agents
Answered by Michael Andrews on April 29, 2025
Broker Licensed in CT
Answered by Mark Maliwauki on May 28, 2025
Broker Licensed in ID, AZ, CA & 15 other states
I hope this helps. If you would like to discuss, you can Email me at [email protected]
Answered by Paul Potter on April 26, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL
Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 29, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/inpatient-hospital-care
Answered by Dana Dane on April 29, 2025
Agent Licensed in OR, AZ, CA & 6 other states
Answered by Yasmery Vargas on April 29, 2025
Agent Licensed in PA
Answered by John Zentner on May 5, 2025
Agent Licensed in CA
How they work:
Original Medicare Coverage: Medicare Part A typically covers up to 90 days of inpatient hospital care in a benefit period.
Lifetime Reserve Days: If you've exceeded the 90-day limit, you can use your lifetime reserve days to cover additional costs.
Coinsurance: You'll still pay a coinsurance amount for each of these reserve days.
Once-Only Use: You can only use these 60 lifetime reserve days once in your life.
No Benefit Period Requirements: You don't need to be out of the hospital for 60 days to begin using your lifetime reserve days after exhausting your 90 regular benefit period days.
Medicare Supplements: Medicare Supplement plans can help pay for the coinsurance costs associated with lifetime reserve days, and some plans might even offer additional days beyond the 60 lifetime reserve days, according to the Medicare FAQ.
Answered by Fred Manas on May 14, 2025
Agent Licensed in NY, CT, DC & 7 other states
Answered by Tony Hardwick on April 28, 2025
Agent Licensed in GA, AZ, CA & 15 other states
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!
Answered by Randy Hill on April 26, 2025
Broker Licensed in OH, AL, AZ & 7 other states
Answered by Patrick Stinson on April 27, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX, AR, AZ & 9 other states
Answered by Ingrid Kollmann on April 27, 2025
Agent Licensed in CA
Answered by Tony Merwin on May 19, 2025
Agent Licensed in TX, AR, AZ & 28 other states
Answered by Silvana Peacock on May 27, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, MI, NC, NJ, SC & VA
Tags: Medicare Supplement The Medicare System
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