muscular dystrophy, an inherited disease that causes muscle weakness; neuropathy, damage to a nerve or nerve group, resulting in loss of sensation or function; osteoarthritis, causes reduced motion in the joints; polio, a viral disease affecting muscle tissue that can lead to paralysis; polymyositis, an inflammatory disease
Hospital days. The Medicare entitlement for in-patient care is limited to 90 days per benefit period. At the end of this period the must leave the hospital. Each benefit period resets this in-patient care clock so a patient may receive 90 days of in-patient care in any benefit period. The number of hospitalizations you may receive is unlimited but each benefit period allows for 90 days.
The average paid Medicare nursing home stay was 23 days in 1997, only 1/5 of the allowable time. Nationwide, Medicare paid 12% of nursing home receipts in 1998. To qualify for Medicare nursing home coverage, the individual must spend at least 3 full days in a hospital and must have a skilled nursing need and have a doctor order it. The transfer from a hospital must occur within a certain time period. There is a misconception that Medicare automatically covers up to 100 days of all nursing home stays.