Skilled Nursing Facilities - What You Should Know...
A skilled nursing facility provides 24-hour skilled care and rehabilitation services to people with illnesses, injuries or functional disabilities. Some people may refer to skilled nursing facilities as nursing homes, but the term nursing home is considered a bit outdated and has a negative connotation. Skilled nursing facility more accurately describes the care delivered in this setting which has increased significantly over the past decade or so.
Most nursing homes now focus their attention on rehabilitation, so that their patients/residents can return to their own homes as soon as possible. But there are times, when the nursing home becomes home - perhaps due to the level of care required of the patient round the clock or an inadequate support system to sustain the level of care required of the patient in a different setting.
Some of the services a nursing home may provide include:
Therapies (Inpatient and some outpatient)
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech Therapy
Following a hospitalization, many times Medicare provides some coverage in the skilled nursing facility environment. But criteria for that coverage must be assured based on the length of stay in the hospital, medical needs of the client, and/or skilled care required by the patient. In addition, there is ongoing coverage criteria which must be met to qualify for Medicare coverage in the skilled nursing facility. The maximum coverage by Medicare is 20 days at 100% then the next 80 days require a co-insurance amount (this amount may be covered by a Medicare supplement policy).
A skilled nursing facility can provide nursing care, personal care, custodial care and rehabilitative care to its residents. This care can be provided on a long term basis. Remember Medicare's coverage has limitations so on a long-term basis, payment changes to private pay, Medicaid or a long-term care insurance policy.
Skilled nursing facilities are regulated by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The results of surveys are available through AHCA or ask the skilled nursing facility you are visiting to see their survey results. The interpretation of these survey results may be easily misinterpreted. Don't be afraid to ask the administrative staff at a skilled nursing facility about their survey results. Communication is always important to understanding care issues.