One period of confinement means one or more separate or combined periods of confinement in a hospital, for the same or related causes not separated by an interval of at least 6-consecutive months between the end of one such period and the beginning of the succeeding period. When succeeding confinements for the same or related causes are separated by such a 6-month interval, the second confinement will be considered a new period of confinement and any applicable benefit limits will be restored.
31 Pa. Code § 88.143