Medicare covers rehabilitation for a set number of days, depending on the type of facility and your medical needs

Medicare Part A covers inpatient rehabilitation in a skilled nursing facility for up to 100 days per benefit period, but you typically won't use all 100 days. The actual length of your stay depends on your doctor's orders, your progress, and whether Medicare determines the care is medically necessary. Most people stay between 10 and 30 days.

If you need rehabilitation at home instead of in a facility, Medicare Part B covers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy with different rules. Home health rehabilitation is not limited to a set number of days — it continues as long as your doctor orders it and you meet Medicare's homebound requirement.

The type of facility you use and how quickly you recover both affect how long your coverage lasts. Understanding these timelines helps you plan for costs after Medicare coverage ends.

Key Takeaways

  • Skilled nursing facility rehabilitation is covered for up to 100 days per benefit period, though most stays last 10 to 30 days.
  • You must have been hospitalized for at least three consecutive days before Medicare will cover a skilled nursing facility stay.
  • Home health rehabilitation therapy is not limited to a specific number of days as long as your doctor orders it and you remain homebound.
  • After your Medicare coverage ends, you may owe the full cost of rehabilitation, so understanding your timeline helps you plan ahead.
  • Inpatient rehabilitation facilities have different coverage rules than skilled nursing facilities and may have different daily costs.

Skilled Nursing Facility Rehabilitation Coverage

A skilled nursing facility is a residential setting where you receive nursing care and rehabilitation therapy after a hospital stay. Medicare Part A covers up to 100 days per benefit period, but the coverage breaks down into two cost tiers. Days 1 through 20 are fully covered by Medicare — you pay nothing. Days 21 through 100 require you to pay a daily coinsurance amount, which changes each year. In 2024, that daily cost is $194.50, though this amount increases annually.

To be covered, you must have been admitted to a hospital as an inpatient for at least three consecutive days before moving to the skilled nursing facility. The three days must be within 30 days of your facility admission. If you were in the hospital for only one or two days, Medicare will not cover your skilled nursing facility stay. Your doctor must also order the care, and Medicare must determine it is medically necessary — not just helpful or convenient.

A benefit period ends 60 days after you leave the hospital or skilled nursing facility. If you need rehabilitation again after that 60-day gap, a new benefit period begins, and you get another 100 days of coverage. This matters if you have a second health event or injury later in the year.

Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Coverage

An inpatient rehabilitation facility is different from a skilled nursing facility. These are specialized hospitals focused on intensive rehabilitation, usually for people recovering from stroke, spinal cord injury, or major surgery. Medicare Part A covers inpatient rehabilitation facilities the same way it covers hospital stays — with a daily coinsurance amount that changes each year. In 2024, you pay $389 per day for days 1 through 60, and a different amount for days 61 and beyond within a benefit period.

The length of stay at an inpatient rehabilitation facility is typically shorter than at a skilled nursing facility because the therapy is more intensive. Many people stay 10 to 21 days. Your doctor and the facility's medical team decide when you are ready to go home or move to a less intensive setting. Medicare does not set a maximum number of days for inpatient rehabilitation facilities the way it does for skilled nursing facilities — instead, it covers medically necessary care within a benefit period.

Like skilled nursing facilities, you must have been hospitalized as an inpatient before moving to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. The same three-day hospital requirement and 30-day window explore.

Home Health Rehabilitation Therapy

If you recover at home instead of in a facility, Medicare Part B covers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy through a home health agency. Unlike facility-based rehabilitation, there is no set number of days or visits. Your doctor orders the therapy, and Medicare covers it as long as your doctor continues to order it and you meet the homebound requirement.

Homebound means you cannot leave home without help or without it being medically contraindicated — not that you never leave. You can go to doctor appointments or religious services with help. Home health therapy is often less expensive than facility care because you are not paying for room and board, only the therapy visits themselves.

Medicare Part B also covers outpatient rehabilitation at a hospital or clinic if you are not homebound. This is also not limited to a set number of days, though Medicare reviews whether the therapy is still medically necessary. You pay a copay for each visit, typically $20 to $50 depending on the service.

What Happens When Medicare Coverage Ends

When your 100 days in a skilled nursing facility end, or when your doctor stops ordering home health therapy, Medicare stops paying. If you need to stay longer or continue therapy, you become responsible for the full cost. Some people transition to Medicare Advantage plans or supplemental insurance that may cover additional days, but traditional Medicare does not.

Before your coverage ends, ask your rehabilitation team or social worker about your options. Some facilities offer private-pay rehabilitation at a lower rate than the daily coinsurance you were paying. Some people move to assisted living or go home with family support. Others continue outpatient therapy at a lower intensity. Planning ahead prevents a sudden bill you cannot pay.

If you have a Medigap supplemental insurance policy, check your plan documents to see whether it covers skilled nursing facility coinsurance. Some Medigap plans cover all or part of the daily coinsurance after day 20.

How Your Progress Affects Your Length of Stay

Your actual rehabilitation timeline depends on how quickly you regain function. Someone recovering from a hip replacement might need 14 days of intensive therapy and go home. Someone recovering from a stroke might need 30 days or more. Your age, overall health, and whether you have other medical conditions all affect how fast you progress.

Medicare does not pay for rehabilitation that is not medically necessary. If your doctor determines you have reached a plateau — that you are no longer making progress — Medicare may stop covering your stay even if you have days remaining. This is called medical necessity review. If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to appeal, though the appeal process takes time.

Your rehabilitation team meets regularly to assess your progress and update your discharge plan. Ask them directly how many more days they expect you to need. This helps you understand your timeline and plan for what comes next.

Benefit Periods and How They Reset

A Medicare benefit period for Part A is not the same as a calendar year. It begins the day you are admitted to a hospital and ends 60 days after you leave the hospital or skilled nursing facility. If you are readmitted to a hospital or facility after that 60-day gap, a new benefit period starts.

This matters because your 100 days of skilled nursing facility coverage resets with each new benefit period. If you use 50 days in January and are discharged, then readmitted in April (more than 60 days later), you get another 100 days. But if you are readmitted in February (within 60 days), you only have 50 days remaining from your original 100.

Keep track of when your benefit period ends. Your hospital discharge paperwork or Medicare summary statement will show the dates. If you think you might need rehabilitation again soon, ask your doctor whether waiting past the 60-day mark makes sense for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay anything during the first 20 days in a skilled nursing facility?

No. Medicare Part A covers the full cost of days 1 through 20 in a skilled nursing facility. You pay nothing for room, board, meals, nursing care, or therapy during those days. Starting on day 21, you pay a daily coinsurance amount if you stay longer.

What if my doctor says I need more than 100 days of rehabilitation?

Medicare will not cover more than 100 days per benefit period in a skilled nursing facility. If your doctor believes you need additional days, you can pay out of pocket, look for a facility that offers a lower private-pay rate, or transition to outpatient therapy. Some Medigap plans cover part of the coinsurance, which may help extend your stay affordably.

Does Medicare cover rehabilitation at home after I leave the hospital?

Yes, if your doctor orders it and you are homebound. Medicare Part B covers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy through a home health agency with no set limit on days or visits. You pay a copay for each visit, usually $20 to $50.

Can I choose between a skilled nursing facility and an inpatient rehabilitation facility?

Your doctor and the hospital discharge planner usually recommend which type of facility is appropriate for your condition. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities are for people who can tolerate intensive therapy; skilled nursing facilities are for people who need less intensive care. You can ask about your options, but insurance coverage and medical necessity determine which facilities are available to you.

What if I do not meet the three-day hospital requirement?

Medicare will not cover a skilled nursing facility stay if you were hospitalized for fewer than three consecutive days. You would need to pay for the facility yourself, use another insurance if you have it, or go home and use outpatient therapy instead. Some people choose to stay in the hospital an extra day or two to meet the requirement if their doctor agrees it is medically appropriate.