A benefit period is a time frame that is part of a hospital stay until the patient is discharged. The time after the discharge and the next admission needs to be at least _________ consecutive days since the last stay in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

A benefit period is a time frame that is part of a hospital stay until the patient is discharged. The time after the discharge and the next admission needs to be at least _________ consecutive days since the last stay in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

• A. -30
• B. -60
• C. -90
• D. -120

Answer: (B)

The concept being tested is how a new benefit period is triggered in Medicare. A benefit period starts with an inpatient admission and ends after you have been out of a hospital or skilled nursing facility for 60 consecutive days. The length of the gap between discharge and the next admission determines whether a new benefit period begins. If you are out for fewer than 60 days, the next admission stays within the same benefit period; if the gap is 60 days or more, a new benefit period starts with the next admission. Therefore, the minimum required gap is 60 consecutive days. Longer gaps also meet the requirement, but 60 days is the threshold the question is asking for.

The concept being tested is how a new benefit period is triggered in Medicare. A benefit period starts with an inpatient admission and ends after you have been out of a hospital or skilled nursing facility for 60 consecutive days. The length of the gap between discharge and the next admission determines whether a new benefit period begins. If you are out for fewer than 60 days, the next admission stays within the same benefit period; if the gap is 60 days or more, a new benefit period starts with the next admission. Therefore, the minimum required gap is 60 consecutive days. Longer gaps also meet the requirement, but 60 days is the threshold the question is asking for.