Does basic health insurance coverage includes benefits for skilled nursing facilities?

Does basic health insurance coverage includes benefits for skilled nursing facilities?

  • What does Medicare cover?

  • When does Medicare cover skilled nursing facility care?

  • Can a patient who is receiving non-skilled “custodial” services receive Medicare coverage in a SNF?

  • What are examples of skilled services in a SNF?

  • Are there any tools for comparing nursing facilities?

For further information, follow one of the links below or scroll down the page.


  • Quick Screen for SNF Coverage

  • Toolkit: Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage and Jimmo v. Sebelius

  • Self-Help Packet for SNF Appeals

  • Articles & Updates


Medicare Part A provides payment for post-hospital care in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for up to 100 days during each spell of illness.  A “spell of illness” begins on the first day a patient receives Medicare-covered inpatient hospital or skilled nursing facility care and ends when the patient has spent 60 consecutive days outside the institution, or remains in the institution but does not receive Medicare-coverable care for 60 consecutive days.

If Medicare coverage requirements are met, the patient is entitled to full coverage of the first 20 days of SNF care.  From the 21st through the 100th day, Medicare pays for all covered services except for a daily co-insurance amount; which is adjusted annually.

Skilled nursing facility coverage includes the services generally available in a SNF: nursing care provided by registered professional nurses, bed and board, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social services, medications, supplies, equipment, and other services necessary to the health of the patient.

Unfair denials of Medicare coverage for skilled nursing facility care occur with surprising frequency.  Because Medicare uses rules and procedures which may improperly restrict coverage, patients are sometimes required to pay for care which should be covered by Medicare.

A Quick Screen to Aid in Identifying Coverable Cases

Medicare should pay for skilled nursing facility care if:

  • The patient was hospitalized as an inpatient for at least three days and was admitted to the SNF within 30 days of hospital discharge.  (In unusual cases, it can be more than 30 days.
  • A physician certifies that the patient needs SNF care.
  • The beneficiary requires skilled nursing or skilled rehabilitation services, or both, on a daily basis.  Skilled nursing and skilled rehabilitation services are those which require the skills of technical or professional personnel such as nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists.  In order to be deemed skilled, the service must be so inherently complex that it can be safely and effectively performed only by, or under the supervision of, professional or technical personnel.
  • The skilled nursing facility is a Medicare certified facility.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS

  • The restoration potential of the patient is not the deciding factor in determining whether skilled services are needed.
  • The management of a plan involving only a variety of “custodial” personal care services is skilled when, in light of the patient’s condition, the aggregate of those services requires the involvement of skilled personnel.
  • The requirement that a patient receive “daily” skilled services will be met if skilled rehabilitation services are provided five days per week.
  • Examples of skilled services:
    • Overall management and evaluation of care plan;
    • Observation and assessment of the patient’s changing condition;
    • Levin tube and gastrostomy feedings;
    • Ongoing assessment of rehabilitation needs and potential;
    • Therapeutic exercises or activities;
    • Gait evaluation and training.

What to Do when Medicare Denies Coverage for Skilled Nursing Facility Care

  • The doctor is the patient’s most important ally.  If it appears that Medicare coverage will be denied, ask the doctor to help demonstrate that the standards described above are met.

  • If the nursing home issues a notice saying Medicare coverage is not available and the patient seems to satisfy the criteria above, exercise the beneficiary’s right to an expedited appeal.  Call the 1-800 number on the notice by no later than noon of the calendar day following receipt of the notice.  Also, review the Center’s self-help packet for skilled nursing facility appeals.

  • Don’t be satisfied with a Medicare determination unreasonably limiting coverage; appeal for the benefits the patient deserves.  It will take some time, but appeals are often successful.

  • If the denial is oral (no written notice), call the Center for Medicare Advocacy for free advice.

  • If coverage is still denied in Medicare’s determination, APPEAL.  Call the Center for Medicare Advocacy for legal help.  Download a Self-Help Packet here.


Articles and Updates

  • Nursing Home Residents’ Rights and the LGBT Community (Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman)
  • Nursing Home Reform: Where Are We Now? Where Do We Need to Go? December 1, 2022
  • Report | Trained Workers in Nursing Homes, a Requirement Since 1990, Threatened December 1, 2022
  • Home for the Holidays | Leaving the Nursing Home During a Medicare-Covered Stay During the Coronavirus Pandemic November 17, 2022
  • Long-Stay Nursing Facility Placements for Younger People Are Increasing October 27, 2022
  • Supreme Court to Hear Nursing Home Case with Broad Implications for Litigation to Enforce Federal Laws October 27, 2022
  • Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter | Vol. 4, Issue 5 Now Available October 19, 2022
  • CMS Must Strengthen Oversight of Infection Prevention and Control in Nursing Home October 13, 2022
  • CMS and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Address Illegal Debt Collection Practices of Nursing Facilities September 14, 2022
  • Private Equity and Nursing Facilities: A Bad Combination for Residents September 8, 2022
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Wants to Hear about Nursing Home Debt Collection September 1, 2022
  • CMS Authorizes New Waivers of Nurse Aide Training Requirements for Nursing Facilities September 1, 2022
  • CMS Hosts Public Call on Nursing Home Staffing on August 29 August 25, 2022
  • CMS Encourages Health Care Providers to Prepare for the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency August 25, 2022
  • New from the Center: Form to Contest Multiple Medicare Denials Issued by Medicare Advantage Plans August 25, 2022
  • Report: Nursing Home MA Issues Survey August 18, 2022
  • Nursing Home Trade Group Asks for New Waiver of Nurse Aide Training Requirements August 18, 2022
  • Nursing Home Roundup August 11, 2022
  • Nurse Staffing Study Confirms Nursing Home Resident Deaths Increased When Nurse Staffing Levels Declined During Pandemic July 28, 2022
  • CMS Announces Changes to Staffing Measure in Five-Star Rating System; Staffing Ratings Decline for One-Third of Nursing Facilities July 28, 2022
  • Improving Nursing Home Staffing Levels Can And Must Be Done July 21, 2022
  • Special Report | Nursing Home Closures: Causes and Solutions July 14, 2022
  • New York State’s For-Profit Nursing Facilities’ Related-Party Transactions Hide High Profits July 14, 2022
  • CMS Acts to Implement Revised Nursing Home Standards of Care July 7, 2022
  • Nursing Home Staffing at All-Time Low; Which Solutions Will Help? June 23, 2022
  • Kaiser Family Foundation: Medicare Spending for Skilled Nursing Facilities Increased During Pandemic, While Fewer Residents Were Covered June 9, 2022
  • Comments On Mandatory Staffing Ratios for Nursing Homes Due to CMS by June 10 May 26, 2022
  • Fewer Residents Died from COVID in Unionized Nursing Homes May 12, 2022
  • Nursing Home Staffing and Immigration April 28, 2022
  • Study Finds Relationship Between Religiously Affiliated Nursing Homes and Standard of Care Complaints and Violations April 21, 2022
  • Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Medicare Part A Payments to Skilled Nursing Facilities Published – CMS Requests Information About Nurse Staffing April 21, 2022
  • CMS Begins Process of Setting Mandatory Nurse Staffing Standards for Nursing Facilities April 14, 2022
  • Federal Government Must Enact and Enforce Nurse Staffing Standards for Nursing Facilities April 14, 2022
  • National Academy of Sciences’ Nursing Home Report Continues the Drumbeat for Reform April 7, 2022
  • Instability In Staffing Levels at Nursing Homes Affects Quality of Care for Residents March 24, 2022
  • Connecticut Legislation Takes Aim at Nursing Home Temporary Staffing Agencies March 10, 2022
  • Case Against Nursing Facility Alleging Negligence and Wrongful Death From COVID-19 Affirmed to Belong in State Court March 3, 2022
  • Biden Administration Issues Bold and Comprehensive Nursing Home Reform Agenda March 3, 2022
  • Nursing Homes Lose Almost All Formal Appeals of Deficiencies and Civil Money Penalties February 24, 2022
  • What Happened to Harm and Jeopardy Deficiencies Cited – and Penalties Imposed – at Nursing Facilities? February 24, 2022
  • CMS Tells Public to File Complaints About Quality of Care with CMS Locations February 17, 2022
  • Issue Brief | States Are Weakening Training Standards for Nursing Facility Aides February 15, 2022
  • Second State Report Recommends Barring Medicaid Payments to Chronically Poor-Performing Nursing Facilities February 10, 2022
  • What’s Happening in the Nursing Home Industry? February 10, 2022
  • It’s Time: Repeal the 3-Day Inpatient Hospital Requirement for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage February 10, 2022
  • Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Disabilities Linked to Longer Stays & Greater Risk of Readmission February 3, 2022
  • New York Nursing Homes Suing the State Received Federal Provider Relief Funds February 3, 2022
  • Former Owner of Skyline Faces Numerous Criminal and Civil Lawsuits January 27, 2022
  • Report | How Do Nursing Homes Spend the Reimbursement They Receive for Care? January 26, 2022
  • New Study: Men Report Worse Quality of Life Nursing Homes January 20, 2022
  • HHS Office of Inspector General Reports Inadequate CMS Oversight and Enforcement of States’ Nursing Home Surveys January 20, 2022
  • CT Governor Issues Executive Order Requiring Nursing Home Visitors Have Vaccine and Booster or Proof of Negative COVID Test – CT Long Term Care Ombudsman Expresses Support and Offers Assistance if Needed January 20, 2022
  • CMS Again Revises Visitation Guidance in Nursing Facilities January 13, 2022
  • CMS to Post Nursing Home Staff Turnover and Weekend Staffing Level Information on Care Compare January 13, 2022
  • CMS Revises November Visitation Guidance after Nursing Home Industry Calls on CMS to Allow Facilities to “Limit, Restrict, or Prohibit Visitors” December 23, 2021
  • Vaccination of Nursing Home Staff Correlated with Fewer Cases and Deaths among Residents December 16, 2021
  • CMS Will Now Post All Civil Money Penalties Imposed Against Nursing Facilities December 16, 2021
  • Build Back Better Act: House and Senate Nursing Home Provisions Compared December 16, 2021
  • Courts Order Preliminary Injunctions Against Vaccination Mandate for Medicare and Medicaid Providers and Suppliers December 9, 2021
  • Special Report | Why Do Nursing Home Operators Who Provide Poor Quality Care Control Increasing Numbers of Facilities? December 6, 2021
  • Pass Build Back Better — Seize the Moment to Protect Nursing Home Residents December 2, 2021
  • Updated Factsheet | CMS Nursing Home Visitation Guidance December 2, 2021
  • Elder Justice Vol. 3 Issue 10 Now Available December 2, 2021
  • CMS Revises Visitation Rules for Nursing Facilities November 18, 2021
  • Connecticut Begins Penalizing Long-Term Care Facilities Failing to Comply with Governor’s Vaccine Mandate November 4, 2021
  • Affirmed: Negligence and Wrongful Death Cases Against Nursing Homes During COVID-19 Pandemic Belong in State Court November 4, 2021
  • 8th Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Trump Administration’s Regulation Permitting Pre-Dispute Arbitration Agreements in Nursing Home Admissions Contracts October 21, 2021
  • Study | Black Nursing Home Residents Disproportionately (and Incorrectly) Diagnosed with Schizophrenia October 21, 2021
  • CMA Report | Privatization of County-Owned Nursing Facilities is Not Good for Residents, Staff, or States October 21, 2021
  • Report: COVID-related Death Rates in Nursing Homes Spike Due to Delta Surge October 7, 2021
  • Government Releases $25.2 Billion in Provider Covid-19 Relief September 23, 2021
  • CMS Now Reports Resident and Staff COVID-19 Vaccination Rates on Care Compare September 23, 2021
  • Private Equity Companies Continue Buying Nursing Facilities September 15, 2021
  • Special Report | Who Provides Care for Nursing Home Residents? An Update on Temporary Nurse Aides September 15, 2021
  • Study: Long-Term Care Facilities in Socially Isolated Neighborhoods Are Associated with 30-Day Mortality Risk September 2, 2021
  • CMS Delays Adjusting Medicare Rates for Skilled Nursing Facilities to Reflect Changes in Therapy September 2, 2021
  • Nursing Home Residents Have Private Right of Action to Enforce the Nursing Home Reform Law Against Publicly-Owned Facilities August 26, 2021
  • Report Documents Private Equity’s Role in Ownership of Nursing Facilities August 19, 2021
  • Senators Introduce Nursing Home Legislation to Improve Quality of Care August 12, 2021
  • GAO Issues New Report on Nurse Staffing in Nursing Facilities August 12, 2021
  • American Bar Association Adopts Resolution on Nursing Home Size and Density August 12, 2021
  • Study Links Long-Term Care Staff Vaccination Rates with Disparities August 5, 2021
  • CMA Special Report | What Can and Must Be Done about the Staffing Shortage in Nursing Homes August 5, 2021
  • Per Day Civil Money Penalties are Back for Nursing Facilities July 29, 2021
  • Immunity for Long-Term Care Facilities During the Coronavirus Pandemic July 22, 2021
  • Special Report | Nursing Home Industry is Heavily Taxpayer-Subsidized July 9, 2021
  • Elder Justice Newletter, Vol. 3 Issue 8 Now Available July 8, 2021
  • Bill To Recognize Essential Caregivers Introduced in Congress July 1, 2021
  • Advocates for Nursing Home Residents Propose Framework for Legislative and Administrative Changes to Benefit Residents June 24, 2021
  • Racial/Ethnic Minorities and Dually Eligible Beneficiaries More Likely to Get COVID-19 in Nursing Homes, According to Office of Inspector General June 24, 2021
  • Nursing Home Health Equity: More Evidence Showing COVID-19’s Racial Disparities June 10, 2021
  • Elder Justice Newletter, Vol. 3 Issue 7 Now Available June 10, 2021
  • United States Settles False Claims Act Case with SavaSeniorCare June 10, 2021
  • Report: Nursing Homes Had Highest Death Rate of All Senior Housing From COVID – Although 39% Had None June 10, 2021
  • Nursing Homes Fined for Infection Control Should Not Receive COVID-19 “Performance Based” Relief Funds May 27, 2021
  • CMS Interim Final Rule Addresses Covid-19 Vaccinations for Nursing Home Residents and Staff May 20, 2021
  • Jimmo v. Sebelius Factsheet: Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage Does Not Require Improvement May 20, 2021
  • Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill Reauthorizing Nursing Home Administrator Licensing Board After The Arizona Republic Reports That Board Granted A License To A Convicted Felon May 13, 2021
  • HHS Inspector General Finds CMS Data Understates Antipsychotic Drug Use in Nursing Homes May 13, 2021
  • CMS Confirms Steep Decline in Therapy at Nursing Facilities May 6, 2021
  • Policies and “Regulatory Failure” Endangered Nursing Home Residents April 29, 2021
  • Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol 3, Issue 6 Now Available April 29, 2021
  • Personal Care Attendants: Troubling New Class of Worker in Florida Long-Term Care Facilities April 22, 2021
  • Oscar Nominated Documentary Goes Undercover in Chilean Nursing Home April 22, 2021
  • Nurse Aide Training Bill Could Diminish Quality of Care for Nursing Home Residents April 22, 2021
  • New Study: High Nursing Home Staff Turnover Impacts Quality of Care April 15, 2021
  • Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Tackles the Long-Term Care Crisis April 15, 2021
  • Experts Spotlight Systemic Racism in U.S. Nursing Homes and Call for Action April 8, 2021
  • Covid-19 and Nursing Home Residents: Increased Loneliness and Isolation April 8, 2021
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy submits Statement for the Record for Senate Finance Committee March 17 Hearing on Nursing Homes and COVID-19 March 25, 2021
  • Nursing Home Trade Associations’ Legislative Agenda for 2021: More Familiar Than Bold March 25, 2021
  • Center Report: Billions of Dollars to Nursing Homes in Covid-19 Relief March 25, 2021
  • Senate Finance Committee Hearing on Covid-19 and Nursing Homes March 18, 2021
  • Special Report | Nursing Facilities Have Received Billions of Dollars in Direct Financial and Non-Financial Support During Coronavirus Pandemic March 17, 2021
  • New CMS Guidance Allows Visitors in Nursing Homes March 11, 2021
  • Congressman Neal Asks CMS to Reinstate Nursing Home Surveys and Enforcement March 4, 2021
  • Nursing Home Advocates and Members of Congress Call for Reinstatement of Nurse Aide Training Rules March 4, 2021
  • New Report Documents Causes and Cures for COVID-19 Crisis in Long-Term Care Facilities February 18, 2021
  • It’s Time to Repeal the 3-Day Inpatient Hospital Requirement for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage February 11, 2021
  • Staffing is Key to Determining Whether Covid-19 Affects Nursing Home Residents February 4, 2021
  • Expanded Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage During the Covid-19 Pandemic January 28, 2021
  • Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol 3, Issue 4 Now Available January 21, 2021
  • Consumer Advocacy Organizations Sue CMS Over 2017 Guidance on Civil Money Penalties Imposed Against Nursing Facilities January 21, 2021
  • HHS Inspector General Issues Report on Focused Infection Control Surveys in Nursing Facilities December 31, 2020
  • “Observation Status” May Disproportionately Burden Medicare Beneficiaries in the Most Vulnerable Neighborhoods December 17, 2020
  • Senators Casey and Wyden Release Third Report on Nursing Homes and COVID-19 December 17, 2020
  • Toby S. Edelman on This is Getting Old: Moving Towards an Age-Friendly World December 15, 2020
  • Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol 3, Issue 3 Now Available December 10, 2020
  • CMS Replaces all Eight Care-Specific Websites with Single Website: Care Compare December 10, 2020
  • Nursing Home Residents and COVID-19: Staffing and Quality of Care Matter December 3, 2020
  • Home for the Holidays | Leaving the Nursing Home During a Medicare-Covered Stay During the Coronavirus Pandemic November 19, 2020
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy Senior Policy Attorney, Toby Edelman and Health and Aging Policy Fellow, Cinnamon St. John Featured On This Is Getting Old Podcast November 19, 2020
  • HHS Continues Giving Provider Relief Funds to Nursing Facilities November 12, 2020
  • Infection Control Surveys In Nursing Facilities: As Deaths Soar, CMS Reports Few Deficiencies, Primarily “No Harm” November 12, 2020
  • Nursing Facilities and COVID: Staffing Matters November 5, 2020
  • Members of Congress Write CMS Urging Restoration of Nurse Aide Training Requirements for Nursing Facilities November 5, 2020
  • Infection Control Surveys At Nursing Facilities October 29, 2020
  • Provider Relief Funds: Care for Patients or Boosting Provider Revenues? October 29, 2020
  • Long-Term Care Policy: Trump vs. Biden October 22, 2020
  • Paying Direct Care Workers a Living Wage October 15, 2020
  • COVID-Only Nursing Facilities: What Happened To A Good Idea? October 15, 2020
  • Special Report: CMS Releases Fifth Cumulative List of Focused Infection Control Surveys October 8, 2020
  • AHRQ Launches National Nursing Home COVID Action Network Training Program October 8, 2020
  • Nursing Facilities and Covid-19 – It’s not Inevitable October 8, 2020
  • Study Finds Lower Mortality Rates in Unionized New York State Nursing Facilities September 17, 2020
  • CMS Long-Term Care Commission Issues Report September 17, 2020
  • Testing Nursing Home Residents for COVID-19 September 10, 2020
  • What’s New in Infection Control Surveys for Nursing Facilities? September 3, 2020
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy Toolkit: How to Obtain an Additional 100 Days of Medicare Coverage in a Skilled Nursing Facility During the COVID Public Health Emergency September 3, 2020
  • CMS Restarts Survey and Enforcement Activities at Nursing Facilities August 27, 2020
  • Congress Gives COVID Relief Money to Nursing Facilities, Regardless of Fraud Lawsuits, Poor Quality of Care August 27, 2020
  • Responding to CMS Announcement on Nursing Home Enforcement – Infection Control Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities: QCOR Data August 20, 2020
  • Nursing Homes Nationwide Report Shortages of Nursing Staff August 20, 2020
  • Nursing Facilities Owned By Private Equity Firms Have Higher Rates of Covid Infections than Other Facilities August 13, 2020
  • Studies Find Higher Nurse Staffing Levels in Nursing Facilities Are Correlated With Better Containment Of Covid-19 August 13, 2020
  • Inspector General Finds More Than Half of All Nursing Facilities Failed to Meet Professional Nurse Staffing Standards in 2018 August 13, 2020
  • Infection Control Surveys and Deficiencies In Nursing Facilities August 11, 2020
  • CMS Will Not Track Minimally Trained Aides at Nursing Facilities August 6, 2020
  • Coalition Opposes Immunity for Nursing Facilities August 6, 2020
  • Who’s Providing Care to Nursing Home Residents? July 29, 2020
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Recommendations to the Nursing Home Commission July 23, 2020
  • COVID Does Not Have to Lead to Deaths in Nursing Homes July 23, 2020
  • American Health Care Association’s CEO Issues Message to Members: “We Won’t Back Down” July 16, 2020
  • Groups File Petition Demanding that HHS and its Agencies “Mitigate the COVID-19 Crisis in America’s Nursing Homes” July 16, 2020
  • Additional Infection Control Surveys at Nursing Facilities Show Same Results: Few Deficiencies, Most Called “No Harm” July 9, 2020
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments on Coronavirus Reporting Requirements for Nursing Facilities July 9, 2020
  • Special Report – Nursing Homes Cited With Immediate Jeopardy Deficiencies During Pandemic: Poor Health Inspection Results, Low Staffing Levels July 2, 2020
  • CMS Liberalizes Visitation to Nursing Homes. . . A Little July 2, 2020
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy Senior Policy Attorney Testifies Before Congressional Committee re: Nursing Facilities and the COVID-19 Crisis June 25, 2020
  • Special Report – Nursing Homes Cited with Infection Control Deficiencies During the Pandemic: Poor Results In Health Inspections, Low Staffing Levels June 17, 2020
  • House Briefing on Covid and Nursing Homes Highlights Longstanding Problems in Staffing and Infection Control; Committee Launches Investigation of CMS and Five Nursing Home Chains June 17, 2020
  • COVID-19’s Impact on Beneficiary Rights – A Case Study Examining Medicare Coverage Exceeding 100 Days in a Skilled Nursing Facility June 11, 2020
  • Infection Control Surveys at Nursing Facilities: CMS Data Not Plausible June 11, 2020
  • How Many Nursing Home Residents Have Died of Covid-19? June 4, 2020
  • CMS Rule: Nursing Facilities Must Report Covid-19 Data to CDC, Residents, Families and Representatives May 28, 2020
  • GAO on Infection Control Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities Before Covid-19 Pandemic: “Widespread,” “Persistent,” “Ignored” May 21, 2020
  • State Attorneys General Open Criminal Investigations of Nursing Facilities in Light of the Pandemic; For Regulatory Agencies, Business As Usual May 21, 2020
  • New CMA Report – Nursing Home Industry Seeks Immunity During COVID Crisis; States Are Obliging May 14, 2020
  • Case Study: Medicare Advantage and Repeated Coverage Denials Amid the COVID Crisis May 14, 2020
  • CMA Special Report – Infection Control Surveys at Nursing Facilities: It Looks Like Business as Usual May 7, 2020
  • CMS to Require Transparency Regarding Coronavirus in Nursing Facilities April 23, 2020
  • Federal District Court in Arkansas Upholds Federal Rule Authorizing Arbitration Requirements in Nursing Home Contracts April 16, 2020
  • CDC’s Report on Coronavirus in a Seattle Nursing Facility: What it Tells Us About Staffing Problems Nationwide; What We Must Do to Address Lessons Learned April 9, 2020
  • Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage, Discharges, and Transfers During the COVID Crisis April 9, 2020
  • Hospitals Should Discharge Patients with Coronavirus Only to Qualified Nursing Homes April 2, 2020
  • New Guidance On Nursing Home Health Inspections Severely Limits Oversight and Enforcement for a Three-Week Period March 26, 2020
  • CMS Temporarily Waives Medicare Access Barriers for Skilled Nursing Facility Care March 26, 2020
  • Restrictions on Family Caregivers Raise Concerns about Unmet Care Needs In Nursing Homes March 19, 2020
  • The Coronavirus and Nursing Home Residents March 19, 2020
  • Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol. 2, No. 7 Available Now March 19, 2020
  • LTCCC Facts & Tips on Infection Control and Coronavirus March 5, 2020
  • Issue Brief: Medicare Payment vs. Coverage for Home Health & Skilled Nursing Facility Care March 3, 2020
  • Lawmakers Must Be Cautious about Recommendations from a New Industry Report on Nursing Home Closures February 28, 2020
  • Massachusetts Task Force Calls for Closure of Low-Performing, Low Occupancy Nursing Facilities February 20, 2020
  • Changes Coming to CMS Websites for Consumers February 13, 2020
  • Study Finds Nursing Home Compare Data about Patient Falls with Major Injuries Underreported and “Highly Inaccurate” January 30, 2020
  • Medicare SNF Payment Model Creates Changes in Care and Admissions – What about Facility Assessments? January 30, 2020
  • Accountable Care Organizations and Observation Status January 30, 2020
  • Nursing Facilities and Medicare Advantage: If You Can’t Beat ’Em, Join ’Em . . . But What About the Medicare Beneficiaries? January 9, 2020
  • Skilled Nursing Facilities Lay off Therapists, Change Therapy Services – What Can Residents & Therapists Do? December 20, 2019
  • Patients Need Therapy – Medicare Payment Systems Create Barriers December 12, 2019
  • Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act Provides Important Protections December 12, 2019
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Statement to Ways & Means Hearing on “Caring for Aging Americans” December 12, 2019
  • Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents Act of 2019 December 5, 2019
  • Home for the Holidays: Leaving the Nursing Home During a Medicare-Covered Stay November 27, 2019
  • Issue Alert – Medicare Benefit Periods Under PDPM November 21, 2019
  • Poorly Performing Skilled Nursing Facilities: What Happens to Them? November 7, 2019
  • Medicare’s New Skilled Nursing Facility Payment System Alters Access to Care November 7, 2019
  • Potential Impacts of New Medicare Payment Models On Skilled Nursing Facility and Home Health Care October 31, 2019
  • Nursing Home Compare’s Abuse Icon is Now Live October 24, 2019
  • Joint Issue Alert on Medicare Payment and Skilled Therapy Services in Nursing Homes October 17, 2019
  • Drug Company Sued Over Kickbacks for Off-Label Marketing of Psychotropic Drug for Nursing Home Residents to Pay Over $115 Million October 17, 2019
  • Free Webinar about the New Medicare Payment System For SNFs October 10, 2019
  • Nursing Home Residents and Therapy Under The New Medicare Payment System October 10, 2019
  • Important Update to Nursing Home Compare Will Enable Public to Identify Facilities with a History of Abuse October 10, 2019
  • The Patient Driven Payment Model is Here October 3, 2019
  • California Attorney General Calls on CMS to Withdraw Proposed Revisions to Nursing Home Requirements of Participation September 26, 2019
  • House of Representatives Passes Bill Prohibiting Pre-Dispute Arbitration Agreements September 26, 2019
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments Opposing the Administration’s Proposed Roll Back of Nursing Home Standards September 19, 2019
  • Rule Allowing Pre-Dispute Arbitration Agreements in Nursing Homes Takes Effect September 19, 2019
  • Nursing Home Deregulation Continues, Despite Substantial Risk to Residents September 5, 2019
  • Stop Drugging Nursing Home Residents Without their Written Consent August 29, 2019
  • Annual Surveys at Nursing Facilities Are Essential To Protect Residents August 8, 2019
  • Federal Reports Find Incidents of Nursing Home Resident Abuse Are on the Rise but also Underreported August 1, 2019
  • CMS’s Proposed Changes to Nursing Home Requirements of Participation, Survey and Enforcement: Nothing Good for Residents August 1, 2019
  • Senate Finance Committee Holds Hearing on Nursing Home Issues July 25, 2019
  • Center Statement on Nursing Home Reform for Senate Finance Committee July 25, 2019
  • CMS Releases Special Focus Facility Candidate List But Transparency Issues Remain July 25, 2019
  • CMS finalizes Rollback of Pre-Dispute Arbitration Protections July 18, 2019
  • Nursing Home “Quality Measures” Do Not Reflect Quality of Nursing Home Care July 3, 2019
  • Latest Issue – Elder Justice Newsletter June 27, 2019
  • Special Report – “Graduates” From the Special Focus Facility Program Provide Poor Care June 20, 2019
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Joint Comments on Proposed Revisions to the Definition Of Group Therapy In Skilled Nursing Facilities June 20, 2019
  • The New York Times Reports On HUD-Backed Nursing Homes June 13, 2019
  • Senators Release Secret List of Poor Quality Nursing Homes June 6, 2019
  • Nursing Home Study Finds Discharges Linked to Medicare Copayments June 6, 2019
  • Nursing Homes, Medicaid Rates, and Campaign Contributions May 30, 2019
  • Nursing Home Compare Inaccurately Reports Civil Money Penalties Imposed Against Nursing Facilities May 30, 2019
  • Webinar: Where Does the Money Go? Insights and Consumer Perspectives on Nursing Home Profits and Losses May 23, 2019
  • Protecting Nursing Home Residents from Reckless Operators May 16, 2019
  • Improve Physician Staffing in Nursing Homes May 16, 2019
  • Sign-On Opportunity: Advocating for Individualized Therapy in Nursing Homes May 16, 2019
  • CMS Proposed Rule to Redefine Group Therapy in Skilled Nursing Facilities: Concern for Resident Care April 25, 2019
  • How to Prevent Re-Hospitalization Of Nursing Home Residents: More Physicians and Nurses In Nursing Homes April 18, 2019
  • Joint Statement: Federal Report Finds That CMS Failed to Properly Oversee State’s Nursing Home Investigations April 18, 2019
  • Latest Issue – Elder Justice Newsletter April 18, 2019
  • Nursing Home Requirements of Participation: Will the Administration Overturn 2016 Rules for Infection Control? April 11, 2019
  • Observation Status Deprives Medicare Beneficiaries of their Skilled Nursing Facility Benefit. Period. April 11, 2019
  • What’s Causing Nursing Home Closures? April 4, 2019
  • Free Webinar – Overview of Phase 3 Nursing Home Regulations: A Look Ahead April 4, 2019
  • Nursing Home Resident Advocates, Not Invited to Testify, Submit Statement for the Record March 21, 2019
  • LTCCC Publishes Report on Nursing Home Resident Abuse, Neglect, and Crime March 21, 2019
  • Average Nursing Home Fine Drops Significantly After Administration Rolls Back Civil Money Penalties March 21, 2019
  • Members of Congress Reintroduce Legislation to Fix Outpatient Observation Status March 14, 2019
  • Senate Finance Committee Holds Hollow Hearing for the Nursing Home Industry March 7, 2019
  • There’s Nothing Special About How CMS Treats Special Focus Nursing Facilities February 14, 2019
  • Registered Nurses Are the Key to Reducing Hospital Readmissions of Nursing Home Residents January 17, 2019
  • Nursing Home Residents at Risk: Advocates Submit Briefing to Congress January 17, 2019
  • Joint Statement on Turmoil in the Nursing Home Industry January 3, 2019
  • Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter – Issue 10 December 13, 2018
  • State Attorneys General Successfully Take on Nursing Home Issues November 29, 2018
  • CMS Proposes Rollback of Emergency Preparedness Requirements to Reduce “Burdens” for Nursing Home Providers November 20, 2018
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments on Proposed Nursing Home Legislation and Rule November 8, 2018
  • HHS Publishes Final Rules Providing Annual Inflation-Related Increases for Civil Money Penalties in Its Programs. Better Late than Never? November 1, 2018
  • Checklist for Medicare Nursing Home “Improvement Standard” Denials October 25, 2018
  • Who Owns Nursing Facilities and Why? October 4, 2018
  • Transfer and Discharge Deficiencies Cited Since 2017: Surveyors Focus On paperwork, Not Residents’ Rights September 20, 2018
  • House Committee Holds Hearing on Nursing Home Quality Issues September 13, 2018
  • Final Rules for New Medicare Reimbursement System for Skilled Nursing Facilities: Goodbye Therapy August 23, 2018
  • Special Focus Nursing Facilities that “Have Not Improved:” Poor Care for Residents, Overall Ratings Artificially Boosted by 5-Star Ratings in Self-Reported Quality Measures August 15, 2018
  • Nursing Facilities’ “Quality Measures” Do Not Reflect Actual Quality of Care Provided to Residents August 9, 2018
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy Co-Authors Case Study Journal Article on Nurse Staffing Litigation in Arkansas August 2, 2018
  • Special Report – Special Focus Facilities: Poor Care for Residents, Limited Consequences for Providers July 30, 2018
  • Nursing Home “In-House” Managed Care Plans May Harm Residents July 19, 2018
  • Did CMS’s Partnership to Improve Dementia Care Reduce the Inappropriate Prescribing of Antipsychotic Drugs for Nursing Home Residents as Much as CMS Claims? Two Recent Studies Say No June 28, 2018
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy Discusses Nursing Home Resident Protections with CMS Administrator Seema Verma June 28, 2018
  • CMS Reverses Obama Policy on Nursing Home Quality Enforcement June 21, 2018
  • Nursing Home Residents at Risk June 14, 2018
  • Read the Center’s Comments on Proposed Reimbursement for Skilled Nursing Facilities June 14, 2018
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy Emphasizes Need to Protect Nursing Home Residents at Congressional Briefing June 7, 2018
  • Buying and Selling Nursing Homes: Who’s Looking Out for the Residents? May 23, 2018
  • CMS Tries Again: Another New Skilled Nursing Facility Medicare Reimbursement System Proposed – If Implemented, Would Gut Therapy May 17, 2018
  • Corporate Integrity Agreements and Nursing Homes May 10, 2018
  • Nursing Home Roundup April 12, 2018
  • Fact Sheet – Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage and Jimmo v. Sebelius April 5, 2018
  • Elder Justice Newsletter – March 2018 April 5, 2018
  • Elder Justice Alert: New York Times Publishes Article on Drug Use Among Older Adults March 29, 2018
  • Latest Nursing Home Rights Issue Alert February 22, 2018
  • Elder Justice Alert: Human Rights Watch Publishes In-Depth Report on Antipsychotic Drug Use in U.S. Nursing Homes February 7, 2018
  • Lawsuit Challenging Chronic SNF Understaffing Settled for $72 Million January 24, 2018
  • CMS to Propose Revising the Nursing Home Requirements of Participation January 24, 2018
  • Medicare Advantage Enrollees Have Fewer SNF Options than Traditional Medicare Beneficiaries January 24, 2018
  • CMA Alert -Spotlight on SNF Enforcement December 27, 2017
  • CMS Halts Enforcement, as Requested by the Nursing Home Industry December 6, 2017
  • Elder Justice Newsletter: What “No Harm” Really Means for Residents November 30, 2017
  • Alert – Tax Cut Harm Just Got Worse; This Week in Sabotage; CMS Pushing MA Plans; SNF Deregulation November 15, 2017
  • CMA Alert, October 18, 2017 – Nursing Home Rights Roundup; ACA Stabilization; More October 18, 2017
  • Center Submits Statement On SNF Requirements for Senate Aging Committee Hearing on “Disaster Preparedness and Response: the Special Needs of Older Americans” September 20, 2017
  • CMA Alert – OIG Warns of Abuse in SNFs; Ted Kennedy, Jr. Joins CMA Advisory Board; “Jimmo” Corrective Action Plan August 30, 2017
  • CMA Alert – SNF Update: Comments on Reimbursement; Civil Money Penalties Weakened August 9, 2017
  • CMS Extends Comment Period for New Medicare Skilled Nursing Reimbursement System Until August 25, 2017 June 14, 2017
  • Reversing Obama Rules, Trump Administration Proposes Allowing Nursing Homes to Require Pre-Dispute Arbitration Clauses as a Condition of Admission June 14, 2017
  • CMS Considers New Medicare Reimbursement System for Skilled Nursing Facilities: If Implemented, Would Gut Therapy May 17, 2017
  • Issue Brief: Nursing Home Residents in Jeopardy if Medicaid Becomes a Block Grant February 1, 2017
  • Nursing Home “Advancing Excellence” Quality Program Ends after a Decade November 16, 2016
  • Observation Status Impedes Access to End-of-Life Skilled Nursing Facility Care November 3, 2016
  • CMS Rescinds Erroneous Medicare Nursing Home Policy October 26, 2016
  • Don’t be Fooled by the Federal Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System October 5, 2016
  • New Nursing Home Requirements of Participation: A Missed Opportunity October 5, 2016
  • CMS Increases Mandatory Enforcement to Protect Nursing Home Residents August 17, 2016
  • A Model to Waive the Three-Day Inpatient Hospital Stay Requirement for Care in a Skilled Nursing Facility July 20, 2016
  • Center Comments on Proposed Rules for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facilities June 22, 2016
  • Elder Abuse in Nursing Facilities: The Over-Administration of Antipsychotic Drugs to Nursing Home Residents June 15, 2016
  • Improving Quality of Care for Nursing Home Residents by Improving Wages, Benefits, Training and Working Conditions for Nurse Aides April 13, 2016
  • International Study: Privatization of Long-Term Care Facilities Does Not Lead to Greater Transparency or More Care March 23, 2016
  • “Discharge” from a Skilled Nursing Facility: What Does it Mean and What Rights Does a Resident Have? January 13, 2016
  • Budget Act of 2015 Increases Penalties for Programs under the Social Security Act, Including Nursing Facilities November 18, 2015
  • Discharge Planning: Tips for Evaluating a Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility Placement Choices November 17, 2015
  • CMS Proposed Rules for Nursing Facility Requirements of Participation: Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments October 23, 2015
  • CMS Reopens Public Comment Period for Proposed Revisions to the Nursing Home Requirements of Participation September 17, 2015
  • Proposed Requirements of Participation for Nursing Facilities Do Not Strengthen Standards for Residents July 16, 2015
  • Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to Senate Finance Committee and CMS Regarding Important Health Care Proposals June 25, 2015
  • Advancing Excellence: Very Few Nursing Homes are “Full Active Participants” and Nearly Half of Them Provide Poor Care June 18, 2015
  • National Public Radio Program Features CMS’s New Quality Rating System for Nursing Homes March 18, 2015
  • Antipsychotic Drugs and Nursing Home Residents: What Do the Different Numbers Mean? March 12, 2015
  • Has CMS’s Partnership with the Nursing Home Industry Really Reduced the Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs by Nursing Home Residents as Much as CMS Claims? No. March 5, 2015
  • Changes to Nursing Home Compare and the Five Star Quality Rating System February 26, 2015
  • CMS Tool for Assessing Civil Money Penalties Imposed Against Nursing Facilities Continues to Ensure that Penalties Will Remain Low January 29, 2015
  • Twelfth Largest U.S. Nursing Home Company Sued for Inadequate Staffing January 15, 2015
  • No Site Neutral Payments for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities and Skilled Nursing Facilities December 11, 2014
  • Changes to Nursing Home Compare: Some Good, Some Bad November 20, 2014
  • Administration Plans Major Improvements to Nursing Home Compare October 16, 2014
  • Nursing Facilities Owned by Private Equity Firms: Fewer Nurses, More Deficiencies August 20, 2014
  • Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities and Skilled Nursing facilities: Vive La Difference! July 31, 2014
  • Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) In Nursing Homes: Diverting CMS Attention from Enforcement June 12, 2014
  • Harm from Medicare’s Hospital Observation Status Debated In Congressional Hearing – Center for Medicare Advocacy Presents Beneficiary Perspective May 21, 2014
  • Senior Policy Attorney Toby S. Edelman Testifies about Observation Status before Congress May 15, 2014
  • Federal Nursing Home Enforcement System is Not Punitive: Setting the Record Straight Again May 8, 2014
  • The Myth of Improved Quality in Nursing Home Care: Setting the Record Straight Again April 17, 2014
  • OIG Report: Care in Skilled Nursing Facilities Harmed Nearly One-Third of Medicare Residents in August 2011 March 19, 2014
  • Staffing Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities: Rarely Cited, Seldom Sanctioned March 7, 2014
  • CMA Report: Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes, Part Three – Recommendations to Improve the Citing of Deficiencies January 23, 2014
  • CMA Report: Examining Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Facilities December 12, 2013
  • Misuse of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes: Are We Making Any Progress? November 14, 2013
  • $2.2 Billion Johnson & Johnson Settlement Sends New Warning: Antipsychotic Drugs Should Not Be Used to Treat Dementia November 14, 2013
  • Debunking Nursing Home Myths about Quality of Care and Enforcement of Federal Care Standards September 12, 2013
  • HHS Announces First Guidance Implementing Supreme Court’s Decision on the Defense of Marriage Act August 30, 2013
  • CMS Addresses Observation Status Again… And Again, No Help for Beneficiaries May 16, 2013
  • Medicare Paid $5.1 Billion to SNFs that Did Not Provide Care-Planning and Discharge-Planning (February 2013 OIG Report) April 18, 2013
  • Nursing Home Enforcement by United States Attorneys: What Happened to the Regulatory System? February 7, 2013
  • The Worst-Performing Nursing Facilities Are Seldom Sanctioned; Self-Reporting is Not an Accurate Quality Measurement January 24, 2013
  • Déjà Vu All Over Again: CMS Decides (Again) Not to Decide About Observation Status November 20, 2012
  • How the Ryan Budget (and Republican Platform) Would Hurt Current Nursing Home Residents August 30, 2012
  • CMS Invites Public Comment on Observation Status August 9, 2012
  • Compare Hospitals or Nursing Homes Using Medicare’s Online Tools July 20, 2012
  • More Concerns About Observation Status: Hospitals Join the Chorus July 12, 2012
  • Recognizing Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Working Together to Curb Misuse of Powerful Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes June 14, 2012
  • Brown University Confirms Observation Continues to Replace Hospital Admission Status June 7, 2012
  • Low Staffing in Nursing Homes Leads to More Deaths May 3, 2012
  • Press Release – Fewer Antipsychotic Drugs, More Nurses Will Improve Care in Nursing Homes and Save Money April 19, 2012
  • Toby Edelman Statement to Senate Committee Regarding Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Facilities April 19, 2012
  • Non-Profit vs. For-Profit Nursing Homes: Is there a Difference in Care? March 15, 2012
  • Reducing Rehospitalizations… The Right Way March 1, 2012
  • Voluntary Nursing Home Improvement Campaign Does Not Work January 11, 2012
  • Special Focus Facility Study: Nursing Facilities’ Self-Regulation Cannot Replace Independent Surveys December 22, 2011
  • Toby Edelman Testifies Before Senate Special Committee Regarding Antipsychotics In Nursing Homes December 1, 2011
  • Preserving Access to Necessary Care: Ending Hospital “Observation Status” November 3, 2011
  • Congressman Joe Courtney and Center for Medicare Advocacy Hold Congressional Briefing on Observation Status October 24, 2011
  • Medicare Reimbursement For Skilled Nursing Facilities Remains High For 2012 Despite Reductions In Overpayments August 25, 2011
  • The Changing Demographics of Nursing Home Care: Greater Minority Access… Good News, Bad News August 18, 2011
  • New Initiatives to Improve Services for Dual Eligibles July 15, 2011
  • Real Solutions to Save Medicare Dollars in Skilled Nursing Facilities June 30, 2011
  • CMA And Others Support Legislation to End “Observation Status” June 21, 2011
  • Senators Kerry and Snowe, with Representatives Courtney and Latham, Introduce Legislation to Ensure Skilled Care for Seniors April 26, 2011
  • What Happens to Current Nursing Home Residents if the House Budget Resolution Becomes Law? April 21, 2011
  • Reducing Antipsychotic Drug Use in Nursing Homes: Save Residents’ Lives, Save Medicare Billions of Dollars March 17, 2011
  • More Nurses in Nursing Homes Would Mean Fewer Patients Headed to Hospitals March 10, 2011
  • Concern over Skilled Nursing Facilities’ Upcoding Medicare Reimbursement Should Not Be Allowed to Deprive Residents of Necessary Care February 10, 2011
  • Judge Rejects “Eden Alternative” Defense In Nursing Home Appeal February 3, 2011
  • CMS Reins in Overpayments to Skilled Nursing Facilities October 15, 2010
  • Extended Observation Stays in Acute Care Hospitals: Criticism, Legislation and Discussion August 26, 2010
  • Preventable Emergency Department Visits by Nursing Home Residents August 19, 2010
  • Health Reform: The Nursing Home Provisions June 17, 2010
  • New GAO Report Demonstrates Need for Stronger Enforcement of Nursing Home Quality Standards: Health Reform Provisions Could Help May 20, 2010
  • Off-Label Drug Use Is Common and Hurts Nursing Home Residents March 25, 2010
  • Overcoming Barriers to Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care March 10, 2010
  • Observation Services: What Can Beneficiaries and Advocates Do? February 18, 2010
  • Nursing Home Residents’ Access to Physicians and Pain Medication February 4, 2010
  • Serious Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities are Understated and the Problem May Get Worse January 7, 2010
  • Myths About Nursing Home Tort Reforms April 18, 2003
  • Important Provisions Reinstated In Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Regulations September 20, 1999
  • The Medicare Prospective Payment System (SNF) September 20, 1999

For older articles, please see our archive.

Which type of health insurance coverage includes federal and state government health programs?

A program run by U.S. federal, state, or local governments in which people have some or all of their healthcare costs paid for by the government. The two main types of public health insurance are Medicare and Medicaid.

Can you have two health insurance policies with the same company?

Yes, individuals can have coverage under two different health insurance plans. When two health insurance plan providers work together to pay the claims of one person, it's called coordination of benefits. The following situations are reasons employees would have dual insurance coverage: The employee is married.

What is the correct procedure to collect a copayment on a managed care plan?

Chap 11/12.

When the insured is required to pay a percentage of the covered services costs this is referred to as?

The percentage of costs of a covered health care service you pay (20%, for example) after you've paid your deductible. The maximum amount a plan will pay for a covered health care service. May also be called “eligible expense,” “payment allowance,” or “negotiated rate.”