Benefit Period—
The way that Original Medicare measures your use of hospital and skilled
nursing facility (SNF) services. A benefit period begins the day you go to a
hospital or skilled nursing facility. The benefit period ends when you
haven’t received any inpatient hospital care (or skilled care in a SNF) for 60
days in a row. If you go into a hospital or a skilled nursing facility after
one benefit period has ended, a new benefit period begins.
Coinsurance—
An amount you may be required to pay as your share of the costs for services,
after you pay any plan deductibles. Coinsurance is usually a percentage (for
example, 20%).
Copayment—
An amount you may be required to pay as your share of the cost for a medical
service or supply, like a doctor’s visit or a prescription. A copayment is
usually a set amount, rather than a percentage. For example, you might pay $10
or $20 for a doctor’s visit or prescription.
Deductible—
The amount you must pay for health care or prescriptions, before Original
Medicare, your prescription drug plan, or other insurance begins to pay.
Excess Charges (Write off)—
If you have Original Medicare, and the amount a doctor or
other health care provider is legally permitted to charge is higher
than the Medicare-approved amount, the difference is called the excess charge.
