Your Medicare Coverage

Is my test, item, or service covered?

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How often is it covered?

In religious nonmedical health care institutions (RNHCIs), religious beliefs prohibit conventional and unconventional medical care, so if you qualify for hospital or skilled nursing facility care, Medicare will only cover the inpatient non-religious, non-medical items and services. Examples include room and board, or any items or services that don't require a doctor's order or prescription, like unmedicated wound dressings or use of a simple walker.

Medicare doesn't cover the religious portion of RNCHI care. However, Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient, non-religious, non-medical care when these conditions are met:

• The RNHCI is currently certified to participate in Medicare.
• The RNHCI Utilization Review Committee agrees that you would require hospital or skilled nursing facility care if it weren't for your religious beliefs.
• You have a written election on file with Medicare stating that your need for RNHCI care is based on both your eligibility and religious beliefs. The election must also state that if you decide to accept standard medical care, you'll cancel the election and may have to wait 1–5 years to be eligible for a new election to get RNHCI services.

Who's eligible?

People with Medicare who qualify for hospital or skilled nursing facility care, but medical care isn't in agreement with their religious beliefs.

Your costs in Original Medicare

For each benefit period you pay:

• Days 1–60: $1,184 deductible
• Days 61–90: $296 coinsurance each day
• Days 91–150: $592 coinsurance each day (lifetime reserve days, if applicable)
• Beyond 150 days: all costs

Related resources

• Hospital care (inpatient)
• Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care