Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) and Rehab
Who They Are and What They Do…
A skilled nursing facility (SNF) is a place of residence for individuals who require extensive skilled nursing assistance with activities of daily living. Their patients include both elderly and younger adults who have physical and mental limitations. SNFs offer rehabilitation services such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Rehab facilities are often combined with a SNF, but sometimes they can be a separate facility which is focused on short-term recovery with therapy services.
Facts about Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
- Each state licenses its SNFs, making them subject to the State’s laws and regulations
- May choose to participate in Medicare and/or Medicaid
- Medicare covers SNF services for 20 to 100 days for beneficiaries who require services following hospitalization of at least three consecutive days (co-pay applies after day 20)
- Some patients go to a SNF for short-term therapy and leave after a few days or weeks
Some patients stay in the SNF long-term for several weeks, months, or permanently *
The process for discharge of a patient usually involves a care meeting where the social worker, director of nurses, and therapists meet with the patient and/or their family to discuss what the next steps will be for the patient. If returning home is not a safe option, the social worker may recommend other Senior Living options.
