Glossary · Medicare
What are Medicare lifetime reserve days?
Lifetime reserve days are 60 extra days Original Medicare pays for after day 90 of a hospital stay in a benefit period. You pay a daily coinsurance for each one.
Definition and figures from Medicare.gov, CMS fact sheet, checked October 23, 2026. This page explains the term; it does not recommend a plan.
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Expand my textLifetime reserve days: the facts
| Item | Fact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Number | 60 | Medicare.gov: Medicare costs (2026) |
| Coinsurance (2026) | $868 per day | CMS fact sheet: 2026 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles (Nov 14, 2025) |
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What does lifetime reserve days mean in health insurance?
Lifetime reserve days are 60 extra days Original Medicare pays for after day 90 of a hospital stay in a benefit period. You pay a daily coinsurance for each one.