What is skilled nursing?

A patient’s doctor or treatment team will be the best judge of when it’s time to transition to skilled nursing care, whether short- or long-term.

This type of care is available in the care centers of Life Plan Communities or CCRCs, in-home, in some hospitals, and in dedicated skilled nursing facilities, also known as nursing homes.

No matter the setting, the goal of skilled nursing is the same: provide a safe, nurturing environment where patients can regain or maintain as much independence as possible for as long as possible — whether they’re eventually discharged or remain in the facility longer-term.

It’s common to equate skilled nursing with inpatient rehabilitation facilities and assisted living communities, but each has differentiating features.

Let’s take a look at some of the major differences among these often similar, but not identical, types of care.

According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the national median cost of a private room in a skilled nursing facility is just over $9,000 per month.

Of course, the cost of care varies based on a number of factors, such as geographic location, the facility’s ratings, and staff qualifications and tenure.

If you have Medicare Part A, Medicare may pay for part or all of your stay in a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility. Generally, to be eligible for coverage, you must be admitted to the facility within 30 days of a hospital stay of at least three days. 

Within the first 20 days of skilled nursing treatment, patients pay no coinsurance. After that, you may pay up to $194.50 per day in coinsurance. And at the 100-day mark, Medicare provides no coverage for skilled nursing.

If you don’t have Medicare or have exhausted your coverage benefits, you’ll be responsible for paying your remaining costs out-of-pocket or with private long-term care insurance or Medicaid (if you’re eligible). 

No matter what type of insurance you have, it’s always worth double checking your coverage with your insurance provider. 

Every facility’s costs are different, so be sure to speak with the sales or intake team at any facilities you’re considering about what to expect financially.

If you’re looking for somewhere to keep enjoying everything you love about retirement and have a plan in place for future care (including skilled nursing), should you need it, a Continuing Care Retirement Community or CCRC may be a great option for you.

For residents in a Life Plan Community or Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), skilled nursing is part of the continuum of care. Depending on the contract type, residents seamlessly transition from independent living into a care center that offers assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care , often with little to no increase in monthly costs.

All of Vi’s 10 communities are CCRCs and offer skilled nursing in our care centers, where residents receive specialized, whole-person care from qualified, compassionate caregivers. Our staff members get to know each resident throughout the years they’re living at Vi, which allows us to provide the most attentive and personalized care possible.