What does Medicare pay for Nursing Home Care?
Medicare was designed to pay for acute medical conditions and rehabilitative care, and was never intended to pay for costs associated with chronic care. To qualify for nursing home care under Medicare, a three-day hospital stay is required, care must be rehabilitative in nature, and skilled nursing care provided. If these conditions are met, Medicare will pay for the first 20 days in full. Days 21-100 require a copayment. There is no coverage after day 100.
Medicare was designed to pay for acute medical conditions and post-rehabilitative care and was never intended to pay for costs associated with chronic long-term care. To qualify for nursing home care under Medicare, a three-day hospital stay is required, care must be rehabilitative in nature, and skilled nursing care provided only for an acute illness. If these conditions are met, Medicare will pay for the first 20 days in full. Days 21-100 require a co-payment. There is no coverage after day 100.
