What does Medicare pay for? Are there any out of pocket expenses?
During an Eligible beneficiary’s stay in a skilled nursing facility, payment is as follows: Traditional Medicare pays 100% of the bill for the first twenty (20) days. No secondary insurance is required (i.e., Blue Cross). From the 21st day through the 100th day, there is a daily co-insurance rate. The co-insurance rate is adjusted yearly by Medicare. The co-insurance rate for the 2008 calendar year is $128.00 while the rate for the 2009 calendar year will be $133.50. Medicare will pay the balance. Please note that your secondary insurance may cover this co-insurance. Again, we advise you to contact your insurance company directly for more information. If your policy does not cover the daily co-insurance, then you are responsible for the payment. The facility will verify any secondary insurance to be sure that the coverage is active. In the case where there is no co-insurance coverage, the Facility will require PRIVATE payment of the daily co-insurance rate. This amount will be due begi