NCH Beneficiary Blood Deductible Liability Amount

This variable is contained in the following files:

Inpatient (Fee-for-Service) Outpatient (Fee-for-Service) Skilled Nursing Facility (Fee-for-Service)

SAS Name

NCH_BENE_BLOOD_DDCTBL_LBLTY_AM

The amount of money for which the intermediary determined the beneficiary is liable for the blood deductible.

A blood deductible amount applies to the first 3 pints of blood (or equivalent units; applies only to whole blood or packed red cells - not platelets, fibrinogen, plasma, etc. which are considered biologicals). However, blood processing is not subject to a deductible. Calculation of the deductible amount considers both Part A and Part B claims combined. The blood deductible does not count toward meeting the inpatient hospital deductible or any other applicable deductible and coinsurance amounts for which the patient is responsible.

Comments

Costs to beneficiaries are described in detail on the Medicare.gov website. There is a CMS publication called "Your Medicare Benefits", which explains the blood deductible.

Source: NCH QA PROCESS