Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

If you or someone you care for needs Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) care, read this publication so you will know the following information: What Medicare covers and what you pay for services; How to find and compare skilled nursing facilities; How your care is planned; Your rights and protections; Where you can get help. Skilled care is health care given when you need skilled nursing or rehabilitation staff to manage, observe, and evaluate your care. Examples of skilled care include intravenous injections and physical therapy. Medicare will only cover skilled care when you meet certain conditions. A Skilled Nursing Facility could be part of a nursing home or hospital. Medicare certifies these facilities if they have the staff and equipment to give skilled nursing care and/or skilled rehabilitation services, and other related health services. Also available in Spanish.