Here's the difference between skilled nursing and everything else.

A skilled nursing facility (SNF) delivers continuous medical care from registered nurses who are on-site 24 hours a day. Not aides who pop in twice daily. Not visiting nurses who stop by weekly. Round-the-clock medical professionals who handle complex care needs.

Learn more about what is long-term care/skilled nursing to understand this care level completely.

Your loved one gets nursing care for medication management, wound care, IV therapy, and disease monitoring. Three meals daily prepared to dietary restrictions. Complete assistance with bathing, dressing, and mobility. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy when needed. All coordinated under one roof.

This is the highest level of care outside a hospital setting. Some people need skilled nursing facilities temporarily after major surgery or illness – they come for rehabilitation and return home in weeks or months. Others require permanent placement because conditions like advanced dementia, paralysis, or organ failure need ongoing medical management that never stops.

Explore the complete guide to skilled rehabilitation for seniors to understand causes, costs, and what to expect during recovery.

Senior Care Finder shows you over 16,000 skilled nursing facilities nationwide. Compare medical services offered, staffing levels, and official quality ratings. Filter by specialized care like ventilator support, dialysis, or memory care units.

See how skilled nursing differs from assisted living if you're weighing multiple care levels.

Medicare covers skilled nursing in very specific situations only.

After a qualifying hospital stay of at least three days, Medicare pays for up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility. Days 1 through 20 are fully covered if you're receiving skilled services like physical therapy or wound care. Days 21 through 100 require copays around $200 per day. After 100 days, Medicare stops paying completely unless you qualify again with another three-day hospital stay.

This covers short-term rehabilitation and recovery. Not permanent long-term care.

Medicaid covers long-term skilled nursing if your loved one meets income and asset requirements. Every state has different eligibility rules. Some facilities have years-long waiting lists. Most require you to spend down savings and assets to qualify. Community spouse protections exist but vary by state.

Private pay costs run $8,000 to $12,000 monthly depending on location and care complexity. Urban areas cost more. Specialized services like ventilator care or advanced memory care add thousands more. You'll pay this rate until Medicaid kicks in or you run out of money.

Get itemized pricing from every skilled nursing facility you consider. Ask specifically what Medicare doesn't cover. Understand discharge policies if payment becomes an issue. Budget realistically for long-term needs, not just the first few months.

Compare costs across different care levels to understand what each option actually runs financially.