At a glance
Skilled nursing in four questions
Who it's for
People with complex medical needs, chronic conditions requiring medical supervision, or those recovering and rehabilitating after surgery or hospitalization.
What's included
Round-the-clock care from licensed nurses, physician oversight, rehabilitation therapies, personal care, meals and dietary services, and social services support.
What it costs
The most intensive — and most expensive — senior care setting. Monthly costs vary enormously by region, from roughly $6,700 to $30,000+ for a private room.
How it's paid
Medicare covers qualifying short-term stays after a hospital admission. Long-term stays are paid by Medicaid, long-term care insurance, or private funds.
What is a skilled nursing facility?
A skilled nursing facility is a licensed residential healthcare setting providing 24-hour nursing care for people whose medical needs exceed what home care or assisted living can safely manage. Core services include:
- Skilled nursing care — licensed nurses administer medications, manage treatments, monitor vitals, and provide wound care around the clock
- Rehabilitation — physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help residents recover function and independence
- Medical management — physician oversight, access to medical equipment and diagnostics, and coordination with specialists
- Personal care — full assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility as needed
- Social services — case managers who support families with discharge planning and navigating the healthcare system
- Nutrition — meals managed by dietary staff, including therapeutic and restricted diets
SNFs are regulated and licensed by state and federal authorities and must meet specific standards of care — you can compare inspection results alongside family reviews when evaluating facilities.
Skilled nursing vs. nursing home: what's the difference?
The terms overlap, and many facilities serve both roles — but the distinction that matters to families is short-term rehabilitation versus long-term custodial care:
- Skilled nursing (short-term) — medically intensive rehabilitation after a hospital stay, with the goal of recovering and returning home. This is what Medicare covers.
- Nursing home care (long-term) — ongoing 24-hour care for chronic conditions when returning home isn't realistic. This is typically paid by Medicaid, long-term care insurance, or private funds.
The same building often provides both, which is why the terms get used interchangeably. When touring, ask specifically about the experience for your situation — a facility excellent at rehab isn't automatically excellent at long-term care, and vice versa. Our guide to skilled nursing vs. nursing homes covers the differences in depth.
What does Medicare cover?
Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing care only after a qualifying hospital stay (generally three inpatient days), and only when skilled care — not just custodial help — is medically necessary:
- Days 1–20: covered in full
- Days 21–100: covered with a significant daily coinsurance
- After day 100: Medicare coverage ends entirely
This surprises many families: Medicare is a short-term rehabilitation benefit, not a long-term care program. If care will be needed beyond 100 days, planning for what happens when Medicare stops paying — Medicaid eligibility, long-term care insurance, or private funds — should start early, ideally at admission.
What does skilled nursing cost?
Skilled nursing is the most expensive senior care setting because it's the most medically intensive. Costs vary enormously by region and room type — from roughly $6,700 per month in lower-cost areas to $30,000 or more for a private room in the most expensive markets.
For long-term stays, Medicaid is the largest payer of nursing home care in the U.S., covering costs for those who meet income and asset limits. Long-term care insurance and private funds cover most of the rest. Because Medicaid eligibility rules (including look-back periods for asset transfers) are complex, families planning for long-term care often benefit from consulting an elder law attorney early.
Not sure this is the right fit?
Compare skilled nursing with other care types
Skilled nursing is the highest level of care. If your loved one's needs are less medical — or primarily memory-related — a different setting may fit better and cost less.
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Explore independent living →Browse communities
Skilled Nursing by city
- Albuquerque
- Anchorage
- Atlanta
- Augusta, ME
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Billings
- Boise
- Boston
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Colorado Springs
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Flagstaff
- Fresno
- Grand Rapids
- Honolulu
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Jacksonville
- Kansas City
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York City
- Oklahoma City
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Sacramento
- Saint Louis
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington, DC
- Wichita
Skilled Nursing by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Common questions
Skilled Nursing FAQs
What is the difference between a skilled nursing facility and a nursing home?
The terms overlap, and many facilities serve both roles. “Skilled nursing” usually refers to short-term, medically intensive rehabilitation after a hospital stay (covered by Medicare), while “nursing home” care means long-term custodial care for chronic conditions, typically paid by Medicaid or private funds.
How long will Medicare pay for skilled nursing care?
After a qualifying hospital stay, Medicare Part A covers days 1–20 in full and days 21–100 with a daily coinsurance. After day 100, Medicare coverage ends, and families must rely on Medicaid, long-term care insurance, or private funds.
How much does a skilled nursing facility cost?
Skilled nursing is the most expensive senior care setting. Monthly costs range from roughly $6,700 in lower-cost regions to $30,000 or more for a private room in the most expensive markets.
Who qualifies for Medicaid nursing home coverage?
Medicaid covers long-term nursing home care for people who meet strict income and asset limits, which vary by state. Rules include look-back periods on asset transfers, so many families consult an elder law attorney when planning.
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