A. Inpatient hospital services

In each benefit period (spell of illness) payment may be made for up to 90 days of patient care in any participating general care, or psychiatric hospital. Payment may not be made for more than a total of 190 days of psychiatric hospital services during the patient's lifetime. In each benefit period, hospital insurance pays for all covered services for the first 60 days, except for an inpatient hospital deductible which is determined annually by the Secretary. (See HI 00601.550 ).

For the 61st through the 90th day hospital insurance pays for all covered services, except for a daily coinsurance amount which is one quarter of the inpatient hospital deductible. (See HI 00601.560 .A).

Each beneficiary also has a “lifetime reserve” of 60 additional hospital days. They can elect to use these days after their 90th inpatient day stay. The beneficiary's “lifetime” reserve pays for all covered services, except for a daily coinsurance amount which is one-half of the initial deductible. (See HI 00601.560 .B).

In addition to the inpatient hospital deductible there is also a blood deductible of the first three pints of blood in each benefit period.

Payment may be made for emergency inpatient hospital services furnished by nonparticipating hospitals when such services are necessary to prevent the death or serious impairment of the health of the individual and because the threat to the life or health of the individual necessitates the use of the most accessible hospital. (See HI 01201.201.) (Emergency outpatient services are covered under Medicare Part B.)