Final answer:
Medicare provides a lifetime reserve of 60 days of additional hospital coverage, which are available after the initial 90 days are used within a benefit period. These reserve days are not replenished once used.
Step-by-step explanation:
Medicare patients have a lifetime reserve of 60 days of hospital coverage. These are additional days that Medicare Part A will pay for when a beneficiary is in a hospital for more than 90 days during a benefit period. After the initial 90 days of inpatient hospital coverage have been used, the lifetime reserve days can be used. However, once these reserve days are used, they are not replenished; they are a one-time benefit for the patient's entire lifetime.
Medicare is a critical program for the healthcare of those 65 and older, helping with medical costs and providing a safety net for millions of older Americans. It is essential to understand the benefits and limitations of Medicare coverage, such as the aforementioned hospital coverage limits.