Long Term Care: Skilled Nursing Facilities

Skilled Nursing Facilities provide the highest level of care to an individual outside a hospital setting, known as sub-acute care.  The primary focus initially in a Skilled Nursing facility is rehabilitation care through skilled therapies.  Theses therapies include nursing (medication/wound care etc.), physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

Rehabilitative care is covered by Medicare if the individual had a three-day qualifying hospital stay prior to needing to be moved to a skilled nursing facility.  The belief at the time of admission is that the individual will be able and willing to work towards goals, if at any time this is not the case the status of the individual can be moved from Rehabilitative to Long-Term Care.  This means that Medicare stops paying for the services and an alternative option is required for payment. Medicare will cover skilled nursing rehabilitative care up to a maximum of 100 days.

In Alaska, Medicaid is the primary funding source for Skilled Nursing Care.  Often individuals will pay privately to spend down their assets on their care needs while pending approval by Medicaid. Medicaid does often require a Cost of Care monthly payment for long-term care services. Below are two brochures with information explaining Cost of Care:

Understanding Your Cost of Care: A Guide for People Getting Long-Term Services and Supports (Medicaid Recipient’s version)

Navigating Cost of Care Amount: A Practical Guide for LTSS Providers and Care Coordinators (Professional Version)

Veterans with 75-100% service-connected disability, can have the VA cover the costs for a qualified placement.  The VA may have preferred facilities for placement.

There are not alternative payment options through grants or programs to cover the costs of Skilled Nursing facility care.

The State of Alaska, Department of Health, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services does offer a program to assist with the cost associated for moving out of a Skilled Nursing, Long-Term Care, or Assisted Living Facility.

Nursing Facility Transition/Assisted Living Transition Program