Nursing Homes & Rehabilitation
After a qualifying hospital stay, Medicare may help pay for short-term skilled nursing or rehab — for a limited time, with rules. Learn what is generally covered and what is not.
Medicare Part A may help with short-term skilled care and rehabilitation — which is different from long-term nursing-home care.
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) care:
- Medicare Part A may cover skilled care in a SNF for a limited time after a qualifying inpatient hospital stay.
- Coverage is generally up to 100 days per benefit period IF you keep meeting the requirements. There is usually no daily charge for the first 20 days; a daily copay applies from day 21 onward (amounts can change each year).
- It must be skilled care (such as skilled nursing or therapy), not only custodial care.
Inpatient rehabilitation:
- Medicare Part A may help with inpatient rehabilitation when it is medically necessary — for example after a stroke, surgery, or serious injury.
What this does NOT include:
- Long-term custodial care (ongoing help with daily activities only) is generally not covered by Medicare. See the Long-Term Care & PACE guide for what may help.
Note: Coverage depends on meeting Medicare’s requirements, the type of care, and the benefit period. Amounts and rules can change each year. Verify with Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE), the facility, or a licensed advisor.
This guide is for general education only. Plan availability, benefits, costs, networks, medications, and eligibility may vary by county, plan, and individual situation. For a specific review, a licensed advisor must verify your information.