- Before going to a skilled nursing facility, Medicare requires that you stay in the hospital as an inpatient for three consecutive days. Without a three-day inpatient stay, Medicare won’t cover your skilled care charges.
- Sometimes when you go to the hospital, the hospital will put you on observation status before admitting you. This observation period doesn’t count toward the three-day stay that Medicare requires. Talk with your doctor to learn whether you’ve been admitted.
- After you meet the three-day inpatient stay requirement, your skilled nursing facility charges are covered for up to 100 days each benefit period.