How Many Days Medicare Covers in a Rehab Facility

Medicare covers up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility per benefit period, but you only pay nothing for the first 20 days

Medicare Part A covers inpatient care at a skilled nursing facility (SNF) — a place where you receive medical care and rehabilitation after a hospital stay. The coverage works in tiers: you pay nothing for days 1 through 20, you pay a daily coinsurance amount for days 21 through 100, and Medicare pays nothing after day 100.

A benefit period starts the day you enter the hospital and ends 60 days after you leave the hospital or SNF without being readmitted. If you are readmitted after that 60-day gap, a new benefit period begins and your day count resets to 1.

You must meet two conditions for Medicare to cover any days at all: you must have been in the hospital for at least three consecutive days (not counting the day you leave), and you must be admitted to the SNF within 30 days of leaving the hospital.

Key Takeaways

Medicare covers up to 100 days per benefit period, with no cost to you for days 1–20 and a daily coinsurance charge for days 21–100.
You must spend at least three nights in the hospital before Medicare will cover any SNF days, and you must enter the SNF within 30 days of hospital discharge.
A benefit period ends 60 days after you leave the hospital or SNF; if you return after that gap, your day count starts over at 1.
The daily coinsurance amount for days 21–100 changes each year and is set by Medicare; you should ask your SNF what the current amount is.
If you need care beyond 100 days, Medicare does not cover it, but Medicaid or private insurance may, depending on your state and policy.

What counts as a hospital stay for SNF coverage

Medicare requires a three-day hospital stay before it will cover any days at a skilled nursing facility. The three days must be consecutive, and they do not include the day you are discharged from the hospital. If you are admitted to the hospital on a Monday and discharged on Thursday, that counts as three days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).

Observation status is not the same as inpatient status. If you spend time in the hospital under observation — a common situation for people admitted through the emergency department — those days do not count toward the three-day requirement. Ask your hospital before discharge whether you were admitted as an inpatient or kept under observation, because this directly affects whether Medicare will cover your SNF stay.

The 30-day window for entering a skilled nursing facility

You must be admitted to the SNF within 30 days of leaving the hospital. If you go home first and then enter a SNF more than 30 days later, Medicare will not cover that SNF stay under the same benefit period, even if you have days remaining.

The 30-day clock starts the day you leave the hospital. If you are discharged on a Thursday, day 1 of the 30-day window is Friday. You must be admitted to the SNF by the 30th day or Medicare coverage does not explore. Some people go home for a few days and then enter a SNF within this window; that is allowed and does not reset the clock.

How the daily coinsurance works for days 21 through 100

For days 1 through 20, you pay nothing if you meet the hospital and timing requirements. Starting on day 21, you owe a daily coinsurance amount. This amount is set by Medicare each year and is one-eighth of the Medicare Part A hospital deductible for that year. In 2024, the daily coinsurance is $194.50, but this changes annually.

You are responsible for paying this coinsurance directly to the SNF. Medicare pays the facility the rest of the cost. If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, it may cover some or all of this coinsurance, so check your plan documents or call your insurance company to understand what you owe.

The coinsurance applies only to days 21–100. Once you reach day 101, Medicare stops paying and you owe the full cost of care unless another payer (Medicaid, private insurance, or out-of-pocket) takes over.

What happens when you reach 100 days

Medicare coverage ends on day 100 of your SNF stay within a single benefit period. If you need to stay longer, you must pay out of pocket, rely on Medicaid (if you are may be able to access in your state), or use private long-term care insurance if you have it.

Some people are discharged before day 100 and then readmitted to a hospital or SNF later. If you are readmitted to the hospital after a 60-day gap from your last hospital or SNF discharge, a new benefit period begins and your SNF day count resets to 1. This means you could potentially receive another 100 covered days in the same calendar year if the timing works out.

How a benefit period works and when it resets

A benefit period is not the same as a calendar year. It is tied to your hospital and SNF use. A benefit period starts the day you enter the hospital and ends 60 days after you leave the hospital or SNF without being readmitted.

If you are discharged from a SNF on January 15 and do not return to a hospital or SNF, your benefit period ends on March 16 (60 days later). If you are readmitted to the hospital on March 10, you are still in the same benefit period, and your SNF day count does not reset. If you are readmitted on March 17 or later, a new benefit period begins.

You can have multiple benefit periods in one calendar year. Each benefit period gives you a fresh 100-day SNF allowance, but only if the 60-day gap requirement is met.

What to ask your hospital and SNF before discharge

Before you leave the hospital, ask the discharge planner whether you were admitted as an inpatient or kept under observation. This determines whether the three-day requirement is met. Also ask which SNF they recommend and whether that facility has an available bed for your expected discharge date.

When you arrive at the SNF, ask the admissions staff to confirm that Medicare has approved your stay and for how many days. Ask what your daily coinsurance will be for days 21 and beyond, and whether your supplemental insurance (if you have it) will cover that amount. Ask the SNF to notify you when you are approaching day 100 so you have time to plan for what happens next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my 100 days across multiple SNF stays in one benefit period?

Yes. If you are discharged from one SNF and readmitted to the same or a different SNF within the same benefit period (before the 60-day gap ends), the days count toward your total of 100. For example, 30 days at one facility and 40 days at another would use 70 of your 100 days.

What if I was in the hospital under observation, not as an inpatient?

Observation days do not count toward the three-day requirement. You must have three consecutive days as an inpatient. If you were only under observation, Medicare will not cover your SNF stay. Ask your hospital to clarify your status in writing before you are discharged.

Does Medicare cover days at a regular nursing home or assisted living facility?

No. Medicare covers only skilled nursing facilities where you receive medical care and rehabilitation. Custodial care facilities, assisted living, and independent living communities are not covered by Medicare Part A, even if you need help with daily activities.

What happens if I need care after my 100 days are used?

Medicare stops paying after day 100. You would need to pay out of pocket, use Medicaid (if you are may be able to access in your state), or rely on private insurance. Some people return home with home health services, which Medicare may cover under different rules.

If I go home for a week and then return to the SNF, do my days reset?

No. As long as you return within the same benefit period (before the 60-day gap ends), your days continue counting toward the 100-day total. You do not lose days for time spent at home between SNF stays.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.