What Is a Skilled Nursing Facility?
A skilled nursing facility is an in-patient rehabilitation and medical treatment center staffed with trained medical professionals. They provide the medically-necessary services of licensed nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and audiologists.
Skilled nursing facilities give patients round-the-clock assistance with healthcare and activities of daily living (ADL's).
Skilled Nursing Facility vs. Nursing Home
Typically, a skilled nursing facility is a temporary residence for patients undergoing medically-necessary rehabilitation treatment. A nursing home, on the other hand, is more often a permanent residence for people in need of custodial care 24/7.
How a Skilled Nursing Facility Works
Any patient entering a skilled nursing facility receives an initial health assessment as well as ongoing health assessments to evaluate physical and mental health, medications, and the ability to handle activities of daily living, such as bathing and getting dressed
Paying for a Skilled Nursing Facility
Patients needing post-hospital care in a skilled nursing facility who are enrolled in Medicare are covered for stays of up to 100 days in a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility if the patient meets Medicare's requirements. The facility and Medicare use specific assessments to determine whether Medicare will pay for the patient's stay, or the patient will be responsible for some or all of the cost. After the 100 days patients are responsible for all costs—some or all of which can be covered private insurance or medicaid for those who are eligible.
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