What triggers Part A coverage under the benefit period?

What triggers Part A coverage under the benefit period?

• A. An outpatient physician visit
• B. Enrollment in a Medigap plan
• C. Purchasing Part D prescription drug coverage
• D. An inpatient stay in a hospital or skilled nursing facility that qualifies as inpatient

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that Part A coverage starts when you have an inpatient admission. If you’re admitted to a hospital or to a skilled nursing facility as an inpatient and the stay qualifies, that triggers the Part A benefit period. The benefit period then continues until you haven’t had any inpatient hospital or qualifying SNF care for 60 consecutive days. By contrast, outpatient doctor visits fall under Part B, enrolling in a Medigap plan or adding Part D drug coverage does not start Part A coverage—they’re separate parts of Medicare. A note to add context: SNF coverage under Part A typically follows a qualifying hospital stay, with the stay itself being the trigger for Part A to apply.

The main idea is that Part A coverage starts when you have an inpatient admission. If you’re admitted to a hospital or to a skilled nursing facility as an inpatient and the stay qualifies, that triggers the Part A benefit period. The benefit period then continues until you haven’t had any inpatient hospital or qualifying SNF care for 60 consecutive days. By contrast, outpatient doctor visits fall under Part B, enrolling in a Medigap plan or adding Part D drug coverage does not start Part A coverage—they’re separate parts of Medicare. A note to add context: SNF coverage under Part A typically follows a qualifying hospital stay, with the stay itself being the trigger for Part A to apply.