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Convalescent Hospital

A convalescent hospital benefit covers short-term stays in a licensed recovery facility following hospitalization. It helps patients regain strength after surgery or major illness when home care is not yet practical. Coverage usually provides a daily allowance for room, board, and nursing care, subject to an annual or lifetime cap.

This benefit bridges the gap between acute hospital care and home recovery, reducing personal financial strain during rehabilitation.

Example:

If your plan pays $60 per day for up to 30 days, you could receive up to $1,800 toward a convalescent stay.

What to Watch For:

Admission must typically follow an inpatient hospital stay and be prescribed by a physician. Room upgrades beyond standard accommodations may not be covered.

Related Terms

Contract Expiry Date

The contract expiry date is the final date on which an insurance policy or agreement remains in effect unless it is renewed or extended. It marks the end of the policy’s coverage period and defines when the insurer’s obligation to pay benefits or accept claims under the existing terms stops. After this date, the policyholder must renew the contract, convert it to a new plan, or allow it to lapse if coverage is no longer needed.

Coverage / Benefit

Coverage, sometimes referred to as a benefit, is the range of health or dental services, supplies, or treatments that your insurance plan agrees to pay for under its terms and conditions. Each benefit represents a category of care, such as prescription drugs, dental services, vision care, or paramedical treatments.

Calendar Year

The calendar year defines a benefit period that runs from January 1 to December 31. Many annual maximums, deductibles, and claim resets follow this schedule. It provides a consistent framework across most insurers and simplifies tax reporting for medical expenses.

Claimant

A claimant is the person who submits a request for reimbursement or payment under an insurance policy. In health and dental insurance, the claimant is usually the insured individual who received the service, such as a medical treatment, prescription, or dental procedure. However, a claimant can also be a parent, spouse, or legal guardian submitting a claim on behalf of a covered dependent.

Coordination of Benefits

Coordination of benefits (COB) is the process used by insurance companies to determine the order in which multiple plans will pay for the same claim when a person is covered under more than one policy. The goal is to ensure that combined reimbursements do not exceed 100 percent of the eligible expense, while allowing the insured to receive the maximum possible coverage across all plans.

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