MEDICARE BENEFITS

To get Medicare to pay for care in a skilled nursing facility:

• If you are in the hospital talk to your doctor, the discharge planner, or social worker to arrange for your discharge to a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility. (The Elms)
  
  
• If you are at home - At times people are discharged from the hospital and then realize they are in need of skilled nursing care. Talk with your doctor about your need for skilled nursing facility care. To be eligible for Medicare Part A coverage, you need to have been in a hospital for at least 3 midnights in the 30 days before you are admitted into the skilled nursing facility. (The Elms)

What types of care will Medicare pay for?

• Skilled nursing care, such as injections and wound care
  
  
• Skilled therapy services, such as physical, speech, and occupational therapies
  
  
• Medical equipment and supplies, such as oxygen equipment and gauze
  
  
• Medical social services, such as counseling
  
  
• Prescription drugs

How much care will Medicare pay for?

• Medicare covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing facility care each benefit period, but most people do not require the full 100 days.  A new benefit period begins after you have been out of the skilled nursing facility for 60 consecutive days.
  
  
• Medicare pays the full cost of your care for the first 20 days. After that, you or your supplemental insurance must pay a daily co-pay.