NAME:        	NCH Beneficiary Blood Deductible 
		Liability Amount
 
 
 DESCRIPTION:	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.

 
 SHORT NAME: 	BLDDEDAM

 LONG NAME: 	NCH_BENE_BLOOD_DDCTBL_LBLTY_AM

 TYPE:		NUM
 
 LENGTH: 	12
 
 SOURCE: 	NCH QA PROCESS

 CODE VALUES:	-

 
 COMMENT:  	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.