When your elderly loved one goes to the hospital, they will be given a status. What that status is can have an adverse effect on what Medicare will cover as far as nursing home rehab after the hospital visit is complete. May hospitals are admitting more patients for observation instead of admitting them directly into the hospital. There has been a 300% increase in observation stays in the period of 2006 to 2010, and the practice continues to increase. Know the difference between the two and what Medicare requires to cover a rehab stay.

Medicare Coverage for Rehab

Medicare Part A will cover some or all of the cost of a rehabilitation stay in a nursing home after a patient has been admitted to the hospital. Up to 20 days of the stay can be covered with nothing out of your or your loved one’s pockets. If more care is needed after that, a copay may be required or supplemental insurance may kick in to cover some or all of those costs. After 100 days, requalification is required after a 60 day period with no claims.

How Observation Affects Rehab Coverage

The important thing to remember is that Medicare Part A will only cover rehab if there is a hospital admission for at least three consecutive days. Any time spent in the hospital under observation does not count to these three days and will therefore not qualify for rehab.

For questions about Medicare or other elder law topics, contact Stano Law group today!