There are some specific Medicare coverage guidelines that pertain to Skilled Nursing Facility services. Skilled nursing services are specific skills that are provided by health care employees like physical therapists, nursing staff, pathologists, and physical therapists. Guidelines include doctor ordered care with certified health care employees. Also, they must treat current conditions or any new condition that occurs during your stay at a Skilled Nursing Facility. Below, we’ll go over what you need to know about Medicare coverage for Skilled Nursing Facilities.
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Medicare Coverage Requirements for Skilled Nursing Facilities
There are specific requirements that beneficiaries must meet to qualify for Medicare coverage for Skilled Nursing Facilities. The patient must have been an inpatient of a hospital facility for a minimum of three consecutive days. The patient must go to a Skilled Nursing Facility that has a Medicare certification within thirty days of their hospital discharge.
3 Day Hosptial Stay Rule with Medicare Billing for Coverage in Skilled Nursing Facilities
For a beneficiary to extend healthcare services through SNF’s, the patients must undergo the 3-day rule before admission. The 3-day rule ensures that the beneficiary has a medically necessary stay of 3 consecutive days as an inpatient in a hospital facility. This doesn’t include the day of the patient’s discharge, any outpatient observations, or the time spent in the emergency room.
Exceptions to Medicare 3 Day Hosptial Stay Rule
If the patient’s health conditions are not appropriate for placing into a nursing facility directly after leaving the hospital, the hospital will determine when to begin appropriate care. Another exception to this rule is if the patient requires around the clock nursing services.
How Long Medicare Pays for Skilled Nursing Care?
Part A benefits cover 20 days of care in a Skilled Nursing Facility.
After that point, Part A will cover an additional 80 days with the beneficiary’s assistance in paying their coinsurance for every day.
Once the 100-day mark hits, a beneficiary’s Skilled Nursing Facility benefits are “exhausted”.
At this point, the beneficiary will have to assume all costs of care, except for some Medicare Part B health services.
What is the Benefit Period for Skilled Nursing Facility with Medicare?
Benefit periods are how Skilled Nursing Facility coverage is measured. These periods begin on the day that the beneficiary is in the healthcare facility on an inpatient basis. This period ends when the beneficiary is no longer an inpatient and hasn’t been one for 60 consecutive days.
A new benefit period may begin once the prior benefit period ends, and the beneficiary receives another admission to a healthcare facility. One keynote to remember is that a new benefit period is not each calendar year or change to the patient’s diagnosis or health condition.
Unique Skilled Nursing Facility Billing Situations
There are instances where Medicare may require a claim, even when payment isn’t a requirement.
Readmission Within 30 Days
When the beneficiary is discharged from a skilled nursing facility, and then readmitted within 30 days, this is considered readmission. Another instance of readmission is if a beneficiary were to be in the care of a Skilled Nursing Facility and then ended up needing new care within 30 days post the first noncoverage day.
Exhausting Benefits
If a patient exhausts benefits, the monthly bills continue with normal submission; although, the beneficiary must still be in a Medicare facility. Full exhausted benefits mean that the beneficiary doesn’t have any available days on their claim. Partially exhausted benefits mean that the beneficiary had several available benefit days on their claims.
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No Payment Billing
No payment billing happens when a patient moves to a non-SNF care level and is in a Medicare facility.
Expediting Review Results for Beneficiaries
Expediting the determination processes can happen when providers initiate discharge from SNF’s because of coverage reasons. Although, beneficiaries can appeal health service terminations through this process.
Noncovered Days
Skilled Nursing Facility requirements must be met to obtain benefits.
Billing Situations Among Other Facilities
If a beneficiary needs a Skilled Nursing Facility and goes but doesn’t have a qualifying stay in a hospital facility, they can move to a Skilled Nursing Facility after they remain for the night. They’ll then go the next night and receive coverage.
FAQs
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I was admitted into a Skilled Nursing Facility on December 1, 2021 and I had Aetna Medicare Advantage insurance. During open season – I switched my insurance to Medicare and Mutual of Omaha supplemental. When I was on Aetna Medicare Advantage – Medicare was not billed for anything – just Aetna – upon beginning coverage with traditional Medicare and Mutual of Omaha supplemental will the 100 days start on February 1, 2022 ?
Marge, the 100 days of inpatient care for your Mutual of Omaha supplement will begin on the first day Mutual of Omaha took over coverage. Typically, this would be January 1.
How long does Medicare pay for skill nursing home.
Medicare pays for up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility per benefit period. The beneficiary must meet Medicare’s requirements for the entirety of this time.
My friend is 86, has medicare and some kind of supplement called health springs (Medicare supplement or advantage?). She is at Baywind Village in League City, TX and has been for many months. She has been back and forth to the hospital; although she has some underlying conditions; she had a bad car accident and fractured her ankle, spine, ribs, etc. She said Medicare isn’t paying anymore and she has to pay cash. What can she do?
Hi Gaylene. I would need to know what parts of Medicare your friend has. Part A, Part B, as well as if she has either a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan since they don’t work the same. Part A will only cover up to 150 days of hospital care. A Medigap plan will extend those and give you an additional 365 days, a Medicare Advantage plan will not.
Does a SNF have to submit and get a denial from a manage care before admitting a Resident MCD or MCD Pending for custidail care?
Hi Kathie! Unfortunately, this is a little out of my expertise. I would recommend calling Medicare directly to find out. If they have an Advantage plan, you would need to contact the Advantage carrier directly instead. Sorry I could not be more helpful!
Hi, I was wondering if you are familiar with Medicare part B maintenance programs. I am an occupational therapist and feel that my facility is not taking advantage of med b maintenance programs where we can be reimbursed for skilled services.
Hi Jennifer! Great question! An awesome resource to help get your questions answered regarding the maintenance program under Part B is the American Physical Therapy Association. Their article no the topic is great!
does your doctor say she needs skilled nursing care?
When is a person eligible for time at a skilled nursing facility ? My mother was sent to one after her broken femur and broken ankle. Her doctor and surgeon want her to spend time past the fully covered 20 day stay. The facility insists she does not need skilled nursing care and will charge the full daily rate instead of the reduced insurance premium rate.
Hi David! Unfortunately, unless your mother has a Medigap plan, she will only have coverage for her skilled nursing facility stay for the first 20 days. Part A only covers 100% of an SNF stay for the first 20 days. For days 21-100, she will have a copay for each additional day.