If a patient transitions from in-center care to home care within 90 days of the first date of service, when may their Medicare entitlement begin?

The correct answer is that the Medicare entitlement may begin on the first day of the service month. When a patient transitions from in-center care to home care and this occurs within 90 days of their initial service date, Medicare allows for a seamless transition of coverage. This means that the patient's entitlement to services starts right from the first day of the month in which the service is provided.

This policy is in place to ensure that patients receive continuous and uninterrupted coverage for necessary medical services. The idea is to make access to care smoother, without gaps that could negatively impact the patient's health. Thus, the patient's Medicare entitlement starts from the first day of the service month, coinciding with their move to home care.

Other options do not align with Medicare policy for this situation. Starting benefits on the first day of the next month, the first day of the year, or the first day of the quarter would create unnecessary delays in coverage, which could hinder patient care and is not how Medicare entitlements are structured in this context.