How Long Does Medicare Cover Skilled Nursing Rehab?

The Short Answer: Up to 100 Days Per Benefit Period

Medicare Part A can cover skilled nursing facility (SNF) care for up to 100 days within a single benefit period. However, ‘up to 100 days’ doesn’t mean 100 days are automatically guaranteed. Coverage depends on whether your loved one continues to need and receive skilled care — and that’s reassessed on an ongoing basis.

Breaking Down the 100-Day Medicare Coverage Window

Days 1 Through 20 — Full Coverage

During the first 20 days, Medicare covers 100% of the approved costs. There is no out-of-pocket expense to you during this phase, as long as the care qualifies as medically necessary skilled care.

Days 21 Through 100 — Coverage With a Daily Copay

From day 21 onward, Medicare still covers a significant portion of the cost, but you’ll be responsible for a daily coinsurance amount — in 2026, that’s $209.50 per day. Many Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, as well as Medicare Advantage plans, cover this coinsurance entirely. If your loved one has a supplemental plan, check the specifics before discharge.

Day 101 and Beyond — Medicare Coverage Ends

After 100 days in a benefit period, Medicare no longer covers skilled nursing facility costs. Families will need to explore alternative funding such as Medicaid (for those who qualify), long-term care insurance, or private pay. Our admissions team at Alpine Fireside Health Center can walk you through all your options.

What Is a ‘Benefit Period’ and Why Does It Matter?

A Medicare benefit period begins the day your loved one is admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility and ends after they’ve been out of inpatient care for 60 consecutive days. Once a benefit period ends and a new one begins, the 100-day clock resets — meaning Medicare can potentially cover another full round of skilled nursing rehab.

This is an important distinction for families managing chronic conditions or multiple hospital stays throughout the year.

Can Medicare Coverage End Before 100 Days?

Yes — and this surprises many families. Medicare doesn’t simply pay for a flat period of time. Coverage continues only as long as your loved one is making measurable progress in therapy and still requires skilled care. If their condition plateaus and the treatment team determines they no longer need skilled nursing services, Medicare coverage can end even if fewer than 100 days have passed.

You have the right to appeal any coverage termination through the Medicare appeals process, and skilled nursing facilities are required to give you written notice before coverage ends.

What Qualifies as ‘Skilled Care’ Under Medicare?

To maintain Medicare coverage, your loved one must be receiving services that require the professional expertise of licensed therapists or nurses. This includes:

• Physical therapy for rebuilding strength, balance, and mobility
• Occupational therapy for regaining independence with daily activities
• Speech-language therapy for swallowing or communication difficulties
• Skilled nursing care such as IV medications, complex wound care, or tube feeding management

Custodial care alone — like help with bathing, dressing, or eating — does not qualify for Medicare coverage. However, these supportive services are often provided alongside skilled care at facilities like Alpine Fireside.

How to Make the Most of Your Medicare-Covered Rehab Days

The best outcomes happen when families are engaged from day one. Here are a few things that help:

• Ask for regular updates from the therapy team about your loved one’s progress
• Understand the discharge plan early — where will your loved one go after rehab?
• Talk with the social worker or admissions coordinator about what happens if Medicare coverage ends
• Explore Medigap or Medicare Advantage benefits to reduce out-of-pocket costs during days 21–100

Skilled Nursing Rehab Close to Home in Rockford, IL

Alpine Fireside Health Center has helped Rockford-area families navigate Medicare-covered rehabilitation for over 50 years. Our compassionate, experienced team works closely with each patient and their family to create a personalized recovery plan — and to make sure no one is caught off guard by a change in coverage.

As a Medicare and Medicaid-certified facility, we accept both forms of coverage and are experienced in coordinating care transitions smoothly. Our goal is simple: get your loved one home safely, on their timeline.