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Skilled Nursing Facility

What is a skilled nursing facility? Skilled nursing facility (SNF) also known as nursing homes or convalescent home, offers short term rehabilitative care. They provide around the clock long-term... more
What is a skilled nursing facility? Skilled nursing facility (SNF) also known as nursing homes or convalescent home, offers short term rehabilitative care. They provide around the clock long-term medical care to seniors with serious health problems. Services include: semi-private room, meals, therapy services, social services, medications and dietary counseling. To qualify for services, the person needing services needs to have been an inpatient at the hospital for 3 nights (stays in the emergency room does not count). Secondly, you will need a physician order to qualify need of services. How do I pay for services? Services are paid through Medicare, Medicaid, your private health insurance, or out of pocket. Check with your individual insurance plans for coverage. Medicare pays for the first 20 days of stay, afterwards a co-pay is usually required up until the 100th day. When the 100 days are up, the individual is responsible for all costs. Please check with your facility about co-pay costs.
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Questions and Answers

How much does Medicare cover for a skilled nursing facility stay?

Admond Fong
Admond Fong
Senior Specialist

This question depends on what type of Medicare insurance you have. There are two types of Medicare plans traditional (Medicare part A/B) and Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare part C). Under the traditional Medicare plan, in order to qualify for a Skilled Nursing Facility stay you must met a 3 day... more

We at Care Giving Answers strive to provide helpful and...  (more)We at Care Giving Answers strive to provide helpful and relevant information to senior citizens and their families and loved ones. The material provided through our site is made available for informational purposes only. In no way should users of our site rely or act upon any information provided herein without seeking appropriate professional advice (medical, legal or financial). Users should independently verify the accuracy, completeness and relevance for their specific purposes. The information provided through our site is not intended to constitute professional advice and in no way forms or constitutes a professional-client relationship of any kind.

If I pay for my wife's care in a nursing home will Medicare reimburse me a percentage of the monthly cost?

Vanessa Terzian
Vanessa Terzian
Estate Planning Attorney

Medicare is a federal insurance program paid out of Social Security deductions. All persons 65 or older who have made Social Security contributions are entitled to the benefits, as well as persons under 65 with disabilities who have been eligible for Social Security disability benefits for... more

We at Care Giving Answers strive to provide helpful and...  (more)We at Care Giving Answers strive to provide helpful and relevant information to senior citizens and their families and loved ones. The material provided through our site is made available for informational purposes only. In no way should users of our site rely or act upon any information provided herein without seeking appropriate professional advice (medical, legal or financial). Users should independently verify the accuracy, completeness and relevance for their specific purposes. The information provided through our site is not intended to constitute professional advice and in no way forms or constitutes a professional-client relationship of any kind.
Chris Cooper
Chris Cooper
Private Fiduciary, Trustee,Conservator, Financial Advisor

Unfortunately, no, Medicare does not pay for long term care in a nursing home. Only your own money or if you and she can qualify will Medicaid pay for your wife's nursing home care. Your state is an income cap state, you if your income is too high, regardless of the assets you have, you still may... more

We at Care Giving Answers strive to provide helpful and...  (more)We at Care Giving Answers strive to provide helpful and relevant information to senior citizens and their families and loved ones. The material provided through our site is made available for informational purposes only. In no way should users of our site rely or act upon any information provided herein without seeking appropriate professional advice (medical, legal or financial). Users should independently verify the accuracy, completeness and relevance for their specific purposes. The information provided through our site is not intended to constitute professional advice and in no way forms or constitutes a professional-client relationship of any kind.
Scot Cheben
Scot Cheben
Senior Advisor

Without understanding your plans or financial situation completely, I’ll explain the rules and give guidance of where to turn to for specific answers on your situation. Medicare Part A only covers skilled care given in a certified nursing facility for individuals who meet certain conditions... more

We at Care Giving Answers strive to provide helpful and...  (more)We at Care Giving Answers strive to provide helpful and relevant information to senior citizens and their families and loved ones. The material provided through our site is made available for informational purposes only. In no way should users of our site rely or act upon any information provided herein without seeking appropriate professional advice (medical, legal or financial). Users should independently verify the accuracy, completeness and relevance for their specific purposes. The information provided through our site is not intended to constitute professional advice and in no way forms or constitutes a professional-client relationship of any kind.

After I have spent all of my money, do i have to sell my home to continue being in a nursing home?

Chris Cooper
Chris Cooper
Private Fiduciary, Trustee,Conservator, Financial Advisor

Yes, in some states you must list your home for sale and use the proceeds to pay for nursing home care. In other states, you can keep your home, but no income to maintain it and the State will place a lein on it when you die to pay back Medicaid. You are well served to contact an elderlaw... more

We at Care Giving Answers strive to provide helpful and...  (more)We at Care Giving Answers strive to provide helpful and relevant information to senior citizens and their families and loved ones. The material provided through our site is made available for informational purposes only. In no way should users of our site rely or act upon any information provided herein without seeking appropriate professional advice (medical, legal or financial). Users should independently verify the accuracy, completeness and relevance for their specific purposes. The information provided through our site is not intended to constitute professional advice and in no way forms or constitutes a professional-client relationship of any kind.
Vanessa Terzian
Vanessa Terzian
Estate Planning Attorney

In California, you do not have to sell your home to qualify for Medicaid as long as you have an intent to return to the house. However, Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program) can recover against your estate after you pass, including outing an estate claim against the equity in your home. You will... more

We at Care Giving Answers strive to provide helpful and...  (more)We at Care Giving Answers strive to provide helpful and relevant information to senior citizens and their families and loved ones. The material provided through our site is made available for informational purposes only. In no way should users of our site rely or act upon any information provided herein without seeking appropriate professional advice (medical, legal or financial). Users should independently verify the accuracy, completeness and relevance for their specific purposes. The information provided through our site is not intended to constitute professional advice and in no way forms or constitutes a professional-client relationship of any kind.
Scot Cheben
Scot Cheben
Senior Advisor

I know that most people want to live in their home for as long as one can... Here are some things to remember about cost, housing, legal and home care. It sounds like you are leaving your home to your guardian that is taking care of you. Questions to consider is: Do you have the proper... more

We at Care Giving Answers strive to provide helpful and...  (more)We at Care Giving Answers strive to provide helpful and relevant information to senior citizens and their families and loved ones. The material provided through our site is made available for informational purposes only. In no way should users of our site rely or act upon any information provided herein without seeking appropriate professional advice (medical, legal or financial). Users should independently verify the accuracy, completeness and relevance for their specific purposes. The information provided through our site is not intended to constitute professional advice and in no way forms or constitutes a professional-client relationship of any kind.

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