What is the Medicare Skilled Nursing Benefit?

Medicare does generally step forward to help its participants fight their way through the ailments and conditions that harm them.  In this way, certain benefits like the Medicare skilled nursing benefit will help you recover the right way by giving you access to dedicated caregivers who will get you back to where you belong.  Do you know if you qualify for the Medicare skilled nursing benefit?

Here are a few facts about the Medicare skilled nursing benefit:

• The Medicare skilled nursing benefit only kicks in to effect after you have had a 3 day minimum hospital stay for a related injury or illness. 
• Your doctor must assist you in getting access to the Medicare skilled nursing benefit.  To do this your doctor must certify that you need access to daily skilled care to help with things like intravenous injections or physical therapy.
• While you are utilizing the Medicare skilled nursing benefit you will have access to a semi-private room with meals and constant access to the skilled nurses.  Other services and supplies will also be available with the Medicare skilled nursing benefit such as rehabilitative services.
• In this setting, Medicare does not cover long-term or custodial care within the Medicare skilled nursing benefit.

It would be worth your time to discuss the Medicare skilled nursing benefit with your doctor if you think you would qualify.

Entry Filed under: Benefits Explained