Will Medicare cover my long-term SNF stay?

Dear Maria, 

Medicare Part A covers up to 100 days of care in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) each benefit period. Your costs during a covered SNF stay are:  

• Days 1–20: You pay $0 each day after you pay the $1,676 amount in 2025 ($1,736 in 2026). 
• Days 21–100: You pay $209.50 each day in 2025 ($217.00 in 2026). 

Past 100 days, you will be responsible for the full cost of the stay.   

Medicare SNF coverage can be extended in some circumstances:  

• Once you have been out of a hospital or SNF for 60 days in a row, a new benefit period will start. At that point, you are eligible for another 100 days of SNF care following a  three-day qualifying inpatient stay. 
• If you are receiving medically necessary physical, occupational, or speech therapy, Medicare Part B may continue to cover those skilled therapy services even when you have used up your SNF days in a benefit period 
  • Note that Medicare will not pay for your room and board, meaning you may face high costs. Check with your provider to see if you qualify for therapy at home through Medicare’s home health benefit, or if you could safely receive therapy as an outpatient while living at home. 
• If you have long-term care insurance, it may cover your SNF stay after your Medicare coverage ends. Check with your plan for more information.  
• If your income is low, you may be eligible for Medicaid to cover your care. To find out if you meet eligibility requirements in your state, contact your local Medicaid office. 

Keep in mind that if your Medicare coverage is ending because you are running out of days, the facility is not required to provide written notice. It is important that you or a caregiver keep track of how many days you have spent in the SNF to avoid unexpected costs after Medicare coverage ends. 

Hope this answers your questions! 

-Marci