Final answer:
The cost of the Part A deductible in 2019 was $1,364. The benefit period refers to the way hospital stays are counted for cost-sharing purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cost of the Part A deductible in 2019 was $1,364. The benefit period in Medicare refers to the way hospital stays are counted for cost-sharing purposes. A benefit period begins the day you are admitted as an inpatient in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, and ends when you have been out of the hospital or facility for 60 consecutive days. During a benefit period, you are responsible for the Part A deductible for each hospital stay, and there may be additional co-payments or coinsurance for certain services.