Kevin:
 
Here's a thought:   * default-options= NORENEW
                    * renewal= 3-monthly
 
Then from time to time, issue
 
Q listname WITH NOMAIL FOR *@*
 
then SET those with NOMAIL:
 
QUIET SET listname RENEW FOR userid@node
 
Unfortunately, it might be 3-months from the time
that YOU issue the SET until RENEWAL processing
kicks in (because you have implicitly altered the last
activity date).
 
Of course this scenario assumes that if they were able to
SET NOMAIL themselves, they would be able to respond OK
to the LISTSERV during renewal processing.
 
My limited experience has been that people who are subscribed
yet in the hospital don't want to come back to a reader full
of mail.  Thus, my scenario is based on your particular slant
on the subject.
 
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