What is the skilled nursing facility “SNF” benefit?
For seniors and disabled individuals, CMS allows up to 100 days of skilled nursing treatment in a nursing facility setting after an episode of illness that requires continued care outside the acute hospital. Medicare beneficiaries must still have a 3 day qualifying stay at an acute hospital in order to gain admission to a SNF for further care and therapies. Managed Medicare beneficiaries (HMO) patients can be admitted directly from their doctors office, their assisted living or the ER to a SNF and receive skilled benefits without ever having spent time in a hospital. Typically, patients receive physical, occupational and speech therapy, IV antibiotics or fluids or wound care on a daily basis.
Related Questions
- When Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) is administered in a skilled nursing facility (SNF), how is the provider reimbursed for the HBO therapy?
- When must the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) notify a beneficiary that he/she no longer needs a Medicare skilled level of care?
- What is the skilled nursing facility "SNF" benefit?
