Arizona Life and Health Practice Exam

Inpatient psychiatric care is covered under Part A of Medicare for how many days?

1. 60 days

2. 120 days

3. 190 days

4. Unlimited duration

The correct answer is: 190 days

Inpatient psychiatric care under Part A of Medicare is covered for a total of 190 days during a patient's lifetime. This benefit is specifically designed for individuals who require significant psychiatric care in a hospital setting. The 190 days are distinct from coverage for other types of inpatient hospital stays, which may have different limits or criteria. It's important to note that while Medicare Part A provides coverage for psychiatric hospitalizations, this coverage is limited to the set number of days to encourage efficient use of resources and ensure that individuals receive appropriate care during their treatment. After the initial 190 days, further inpatient psychiatric care can lead to substantial out-of-pocket costs unless a patient qualifies for other types of insurance or assistance. Other choices do not reflect the actual coverage limit established by Medicare regulations, as they either exceed or fall short of the designated number of covered days for inpatient psychiatric services.