Benefit Period Definition : The benefit period is the length of time during which a benefit is paid. For example, the number of days that benefits are calculated for a calendar year consist of the days beginning on Jan. 1 and ending on Dec. 31 of each year. The benefit period is defined in each program or policy's guidelines.
The benefit period can vary from policy to policy. For example, the benefit period in the context of Medicare begins the day an insured is admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF), and ends when the insured has not received any care for 60 days in a row.