Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rehabilitation & Extended Stay?
A Rehabilitative & Extended Stay (Skilled Nursing) community provides 24-hour medical supervision, meals, activities, wellness programming, and health management support for post-surgery and post-hospital residents. In addition, Rehabilitative & Extended Stay Wellness Centers offer long-term residency for individuals who require 24-hour oversight and care management. Nursing staff members develop personalized care plans that can include physical, occupational and speech therapies for each resident and work with them daily to ensure exceptional outcomes.
When should you consider Rehabilitation & Extended Stay?
Each person’s journey is unique. You should consider Skilled Nursing as an option when there has been a recent decline in health or a recent hospitalization. If these indicators are present, discuss options with your physician. A personalized assessment will be completed by the Skilled Nursing/post-acute care provider of your choice prior to admission to ensure all needs can be met.
What can I bring to a Rehabilitation & Health Care Center?
Most rehabilitation centers provide furnished suites with room amenities not unlike your favorite hotel. The room typically includes furniture, electric bed, linens, television, and telephone service. For a short-term stay, you should pack a suitcase with a week’s worth of toiletries and clothes. We encourage our guests to bring family pictures and other personal mementos for inspiration.
How often will a doctor visit me at a Rehabilitation & Health Care Center?
A doctor sees a resident as often as is medically necessary. Medicare and insurance companies may also make recommendations on how often a resident should be seen, but visits are determined by individual resident needs.
Will room service be available to me if I don’t want to eat in the dining room?
Dining in the resident suite is an available option. Please notify your care team of your request and your meal will be delivered to you as requested, unless contraindicated by your physician plan of care.
Are there visiting hours in a Rehabilitation & Health Care Center?
Visitation with family and friends is always encouraged. When the resident resides in short-term care, the visitor should check with the nurse to avoid conflict with the resident’s therapy schedule.
How does Medicare work for short-term skilled services care?
A skilled care stay is often needed after a surgery or hospitalization due to illness or injury. Medicare provides coverage for skilled care on a short-term basis when the following criteria are met:
- A senior is currently receiving Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) benefits and is therefore 65 years or older or has been formally diagnosed with renal failure.
- A hospital stay of three or more consecutive days (three midnights) within the past 30 days.
- A physician has determined that skilled care and/or rehabilitation is medically necessary due to a current health condition.
- The skilled services required are provided in a clinical residential setting certified by Medicare.
If all these conditions are met, Medicare will contribute to the nursing home cost required on a short-term basis (up to 100 days). Specifically, Medicare will provide 100% coverage for Skilled Nursing costs for the first 20 days of a nursing home stay. From day 21 through day 100 of the benefit period, the individual is responsible for paying 20% of the total cost while they continue to meet Medicare requirements.
How does my insurance work with Medicare to cover my skilled services cost?
Most Medicare supplement insurance will cover the co-pay up to day 100 of skilled services, providing the individual continues to meet Medicare requirements. Prior to admission, all insurance is verified by our facility financial advisor to give the family peace of mind that services will be covered.
Will I be notified prior to my benefits ending?
Yes. When your coverage under Medicare Skilled Nursing is soon to end, the provider must give you a written notice titled, “Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage.” The form explains why your care is no longer covered. You or your legal representative will be asked to sign the form to acknowledge receipt.
What is the 30-Day Window?
When a patient is discharged from a hospital or skilled nursing community, a 30-day window exists where coverage may be reinstated. If a patient goes home from a hospital or skilled nursing community and their condition worsens within 30 days, Medicare may cover continued skilled nursing care.
You or your loved one may be eligible to receive short-term skilled nursing and rehabilitative services through Medicare benefits if:
- The person has traditional Medicare.
- The person was admitted to a hospital for three consecutive days, not counting the day of discharge or observation days.
- The person needs further care of the condition that was treated in the hospital or other conditions requiring skilled nursing or rehabilitation services.
- A physician certifies the patient requires skilled or rehabilitative care after a hospital stay.