What Is a Nursing Home?
Nursing homes — also called skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) — provide 24-hour medical care from licensed nurses. They serve residents with complex medical needs, those recovering from surgery or hospitalization, and individuals requiring long-term care support.
CMS Five-Star Quality Ratings
Medicare-certified nursing homes receive Five-Star Quality Ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), covering:
- Overall Rating: Combined score (1-5 stars)
- Health Inspections: Based on deficiency findings from state surveys
- Staffing: Based on registered nurse and total nursing hours per resident day
- Quality Measures: Based on clinical outcomes data
Medicare vs. Medicaid Coverage
Medicare covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing care following a qualifying hospital stay. Medicaid may cover long-term nursing home care for individuals who meet financial and medical eligibility requirements. Contact the facility to confirm current acceptance.