The benefit period for Medicare Part A begins on which event?

• A. The day of discharge from hospital
• B. The day Medicare eligibility is established
• C. The first day the insured is admitted into a hospital
• D. The day the insured enrolls in Part A

Answer: (C)

Medicare Part A benefits are triggered by the hospitalization event itself. The benefit period starts the day you are admitted as an inpatient to a hospital. From that day, a 60-day window begins during which Medicare covers costs, with the period ending after you haven’t had any inpatient hospital care for 60 consecutive days. If you’re readmitted after that gap, a new benefit period begins. So the start is tied to the inpatient admission, not discharge, eligibility, or enrollment.