How many days of hospital stay are required before Medicare will cover admission to a skilled nursing facility?

Medicare requires that a patient be admitted to an inpatient hospital for at least three consecutive days before they can qualify for coverage of skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. This requirement is in place to ensure that the patient has received the necessary medical treatment and that the care in the skilled nursing facility is a continuation of that treatment.

The three-day hospital stay must be an actual admission, not just observation status. This means that the stay is classified as inpatient, which can affect patient coverage and billing. After meeting this requirement, Medicare Part A can provide benefits for a defined period, typically up to 100 days of skilled care, as long as the care is medically necessary.

Understanding this requirement is crucial for both patients and healthcare providers, as it impacts the transition from hospital to skilled nursing care and determines the patient's financial responsibilities.