CPB Certification Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

The start of a benefit period under Medicare is triggered by an inpatient hospital admission. Specifically, it begins on the first day a beneficiary is officially hospitalized, and this period is essential for determining coverage and out-of-pocket costs for services rendered during that hospitalization.

Understanding the concept of a benefit period is crucial. A benefit period lasts until the patient has been out of the hospital or a skilled nursing facility for a full 60 days. If a patient is readmitted during that time, it may be considered part of the same benefit period, affecting coverage limits and benefit calculations.

While options like a doctor's appointment, prescription medication usage, or a physical therapy session represent important aspects of a beneficiary's care, none of these events initiate a benefit period. They occur outside the scope of the Medicare benefit period definition, which focuses specifically on hospitalization as the key trigger point. Knowing this distinction helps in understanding Medicare's structure for coverage and claims processing.