How many pints of blood will Medicare cover under core benefits?

Medicare covers up to three pints of blood under its core benefits without any additional charge to the beneficiary. This coverage is part of the hospital insurance (Part A) when blood is needed as inpatient treatment. If a patient requires more than three pints, they are responsible for the cost of any additional pints, unless the blood is donated or replaced by another party. Understanding the specifics of coverage for blood transfusions is crucial for beneficiaries to ensure they are knowledgeable about what costs Medicare will cover and how much they may need to pay out-of-pocket, if anything.