Qualified Medicare Part A patients are eligible for up to 100 days* of skilled services in a benefit period. Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) are currently the only treatment setting where qualified patients can receive therapy 5 days per week for up to 100 days. Intensive therapy after illness or injury often decreases recovery time and chance of re-hospitalization.

• Must have Medicare Part A benefits
• Must have a qualifying hospital stay – minimum of 3 midnights
• Must be admitted into a skilled facility within 30 days of a hospital discharge with a diagnosis that requires skilled nursing services and/or skilled rehab services
• Skilled services must be ordered by a physician

If a patient does not meet the Medicare Part A criteria, then it is possible that Medicare Part B or private insurance would cover rehabilitation services in a skilled nursing facility.

*Within a benefit period or spell of illness. A benefit period begins the day a patient enters a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF). The benefit period ends when a patient hasn’t received any hospital care (or skilled care in a SNF) for 60 days in a row. If a patient enters a hospital or a SNF after one benefit period has ended, a new benefit period begins. The inpatient hospital deductible must be paid for each benefit period. There is no limit to the number of benefit periods. (www.medicare.gov)