Does Medicare cover a skilled nursing facility stay?

What counts as skilled care

Part A helps cover the cost of inpatient care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. This coverage applies to short-term stays only. Skilled care involves nursing and therapy that professionals must perform or supervise. Skilled care is the treatment you receive when your condition requires nursing or therapy to be treated, managed, and observed.

Covered services in a skilled nursing facility include a semi-private room. Physical therapy is also covered if it is necessary to reach your health goal. Occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services are covered if they are needed to meet your health goal. This coverage also includes the cost of supplies and equipment used in the facility.

The 3-day hospital rule

Medicare only pays for care in a SNF if you first complete a qualifying inpatient hospital stay. Before you enter the SNF, you must have stayed in a hospital as an inpatient for 3 consecutive days for a medical reason. Any time you spend in the emergency room or under observation before being admitted does not apply to the 3-day qualifying inpatient hospital stay.

If your doctor works with an Accountable Care Organization that has a Skilled Nursing Facility 3-Day Rule Waiver, you may not need to meet the 3-day minimum inpatient hospital stay requirement. Medicare Advantage Plans may also allow you to bypass the 3-day minimum inpatient hospital stay. Check with your doctor or hospital staff to confirm whether Medicare will cover your SNF stay.

Eligibility conditions for coverage

You must meet all of these conditions to receive coverage. You have Part A and still have days remaining in your benefit period. You have a qualifying inpatient hospital stay and enter the SNF within a short time of leaving the hospital. Your doctor or other health care provider must decide that you need daily skilled care.

Skilled nursing or therapy staff must provide or supervise the care you receive. These skilled services must be received in a Medicare-certified SNF. You require skilled services for an ongoing condition that was treated during your qualifying inpatient hospital stay. A new condition that arises while you are receiving SNF care for an ongoing condition also qualifies for coverage.

Costs and daily limits

Your costs for each benefit period in 2026 depend on how long you receive skilled nursing facility care. After paying the $1,736 deductible, your daily cost is $0 for Days 1–20. If you already paid the Part A deductible for hospital care in the same benefit period, you do not pay it again for skilled nursing facility care.

Your daily cost is $217 for Days 21–100. You pay all costs for Days 101 and beyond. Part A caps SNF coverage at 100 days per benefit period. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may face copayments during the first 20 days. Check with your plan for more information about these specific charges.

What is not covered

Medicare covers certain SNF services each day for a limited time. If you did not have a 3-day qualifying inpatient hospital stay but still need care after leaving the hospital, ask about getting care in places like a home health agency. You can also ask if Medicaid or Veterans’ benefits will pay for your SNF care.

Common questions

Last reviewed October 2026. Medicare rules, dates and dollar amounts can change each year; Medicare.gov has the official details.