After using lifetime reserve days, who pays for all costs?

When an individual has exhausted their lifetime reserve days under Medicare, they are responsible for covering all costs associated with their hospital stay. Lifetime reserve days are additional days that Medicare allows for coverage beyond the standard benefit period, but these are limited. Once these days are used, the individual is fully liable for any hospital expenses that accrue beyond that point.

This is significant because it emphasizes the importance of understanding the limits of Medicare coverage and the financial implications for beneficiaries. While Medicare covers most hospital costs for a specific period, the responsibility shifts to the individual once those benefits are fully utilized, highlighting the critical need for supplemental insurance or financial planning for potential hospitalization.