Medicare Skilled Nursing: Part A Coverage

Medicare Part A helps cover short-term Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) care when you need daily skilled nursing or therapy services after a qualifying hospital stay. Coverage is limited to medically necessary care provided by a Medicare-certified facility and is designed to support recovery, not long-term custodial care.

Medicare Coverage for Skilled Nursing Services

Skilled nursing care involves medical services and therapy provided by licensed healthcare professionals. This type of care is necessary when your condition requires specialized nursing or therapeutic treatment for management, observation, and evaluation. Medicare Part A covers short-term care in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF).

You qualify for Medicare skilled nursing coverage when:

• You are enrolled in Part A
• You have remaining days available in your current benefit period. A benefit period starts the day you’re enrolled in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) or admitted to a hospital and ends after you’ve gone 60 days in a row without receiving inpatient or skilled nursing services.
• Your hospital inpatient stay lasted at least three consecutive days (72 hours). The count starts at midnight after admission and excludes any time on the day of discharge.
• A doctor has ordered daily skilled care for your condition.
• The care must be provided by, or under the supervision of, a skilled nursing or therapy staff member at a Medicare-certified SNF.
• Coverage extends up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicare pays the full cost for the first 20 days, while days 21 through 100 require a daily coinsurance payment.

What Services Are Covered at a Skilled Nursing Facility?

Medicare covers the following services during your SNF stay:

• Semi-private room (shared with other patients) and meals
• Skilled nursing care on a part-time basis
• Rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology, when medically necessary
• Medical social services and nutrition counseling
• Prescription medications administered during your facility stay
• Medical supplies, equipment, and swing bed services are provided at the facility
• Emergency ambulance transport to access necessary services not available at your SNF, when other forms of transportation would compromise your health

What’s Not Covered: Extended Nursing Home Stays

Medicare doesn’t cover extended nursing home care or assisted living when the services are purely custodial or related to activities of daily living. Custodial care refers to assistance with routine everyday tasks. This covers help with everyday activities, including:

• Bathing
• Getting dressed
• Using the bathroom
• Eating
• Other daily tasks that require caregiver support

For long-term custodial care needs, you may need to consider long-term care insurance or other coverage options, such as supplemental coverage from private insurance companies.

How Much Does Skilled Nursing Care Cost?

Medicare skilled nursing facility costs depend on the length of your stay. As reported by Medicare.gov, Medicare Part A coinsurance for 2026 includes:

• Days 1–20: $0 coinsurance per day
• Days 21–100: $217 coinsurance per day
• Days 101 and onwards: You’re responsible for all expenses.

Agent tip:

Medicare only covers skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying inpatient hospital stay. Time spent in the hospital under observation status does not count toward the three-day requirement.

Bottom Line

Medicare Part A can help cover short-term skilled nursing facility care when you meet specific eligibility requirements, including a qualifying inpatient hospital stay and a doctor’s order for daily skilled care. While Medicare covers the first 20 days in full, expenses can increase after that, and coverage does not extend to long-term custodial nursing home care. Understanding these limits can help you plan ahead and avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs during recovery.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare cover a skilled nursing facility?

Yes. When skilled nursing care is needed for medical reasons, Medicare Part A can provide coverage for up to 100 days during a benefit period. You must have a qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay and receive care at a Medicare-certified facility.

Does Medicare Part A cover skilled nursing facility care?

Yes. Medicare Part A covers short-term skilled nursing facility care when it’s medically necessary, ordered by a doctor, and provided after a qualifying inpatient hospital stay at a Medicare-certified facility.

What is the three-day hospital stay requirement for SNF coverage?

You must first complete at least three consecutive days (72 hours) as a hospital inpatient to become eligible for Medicare SNF coverage. Hospital observation time does not meet this requirement.

What is a benefit period for Medicare skilled nursing coverage?

A benefit period begins on the day of admission to a hospital or skilled nursing facility and ends after 60 consecutive days without inpatient or skilled nursing services. This determines how many coverage days you have available.

How much does skilled nursing facility care cost under Medicare in 2026?

In 2026, the first 20 days of Medicare coverage for skilled nursing facilities are at no cost. Starting on day 21 through day 100, you’re responsible for a $217 coinsurance payment each day. After day 100, you’re responsible for all costs.

Does Medicare cover long-term nursing home or assisted living care?

No. Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care or assisted living when you only need custodial care, which includes daily living assistance such as bathing, dressing, and eating.