Original Medicare (Parts A & B): Blood

Blood

Blood transfusion is necessary for a number of planned and unplanned circumstances and can mean the difference between life and death. There are circumstances when blood transfusion is at no cost (save a portion of processing and handling fees), though it is likely your loved one will be charged for the first 3 units.

If the hospital gets blood from a blood bank at no charge, those savings are passed on to your loved one and there are no replacement fees. However, your loved one will pay a copayment for the blood processing and handling services for each unit they receive.

Likewise, if your loved one or someone else donates the blood (such as a family member who is a match), there is no cost.

However, if the hospital must purchase blood for your loved one, they will pay the hospital costs for the first 3 units in a calendar year.

Blood can be transfused in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.

Unless the provider has written an order for inpatient admission to the hospital, the episode is considered outpatient and cost-sharing amounts for outpatient hospital services apply. Even if there is an overnight hospital stay (rare), it may still be considered outpatient. If outpatient versus inpatient status isn’t clear, ask the hospital staff.