Skilled nursing is medical care that must be given or supervised by licensed nurses and therapists. A skilled nursing facility, often shortened to SNF, provides that care around the clock, typically after a hospital stay for surgery, a stroke, a fall or a serious illness. The goal for most residents is rehabilitation: to recover strength and skills and go home again.
Who skilled nursing is for
People who are medically stable but not yet well enough to manage at home. Typical needs include physical, occupational or speech therapy several times a week, intravenous medication, wound care, feeding tubes, injections or close monitoring of a new condition. Some facilities also serve residents who need this level of care for the long term.
What to expect
Care is planned by a team that includes a physician, nurses, therapists, a dietitian and a social worker, with a written care plan and regular reviews. Days are structured around therapy sessions. Rooms are often shared, and stays range from a week or two to a few months depending on progress. Discharge planning starts early and should include arranging home health care or other support for the return home.
Skilled nursing, nursing homes and assisted living
The terms overlap, and many buildings offer more than one level of care. Skilled nursing refers to the medical level of care; a nursing home may provide skilled care, long-term custodial care, or both. Assisted living is a residential, non-medical setting for people who need help with daily tasks but not daily nursing.
How it is paid for
Medicare Part A covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing care per benefit period after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three days, with the first 20 days fully covered and a daily co-payment after that, as long as the resident continues to need and receive skilled care. Medicare Advantage plans have their own rules. Beyond that, costs are met privately, by long-term care insurance, or by Medicaid for those who qualify.
Choosing a facility
Look at the facility's Medicare star ratings and most recent state inspection report, ask about therapy hours per day, nurse staffing levels and infection control, and find out how the facility communicates with families. The pages on this site let you compare skilled nursing facilities by state and city.