What are the costs of skilled nursing?

• Various factors influence the cost, such as where you live, the level of care required, and what type of accommodations you select.
• A combination of financial support is possible, including private pay, long-term care insurance, health insurance, and government assistance, such as Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid.
• Some plans have a copay or coinsurance that the patient is responsible to pay.
• The Skilled Nursing Facility’s Business Office Manager can review coverage and determine out-of-pocket costs that may exist.

Can an individual be admitted from home?

• Yes, and an appointment with the Primary Care Physician (PCP) is recommended.
• The PCP completes paperwork, including list of medications, history and physical, for Skilled Nursing Facility staff review.
• Note that the individual must have a skilled or medical need, and a three-day qualifying hospital stay, in order for Medicare or certain insurances to pay for the skilled care.

Does an individual have to have a physician’s referral for admission?

• Yes, a physician’s certification is required.

Does an individual have to be a certain age for admission?

• Resident ages vary in range, but Skilled Nursing Facilities do not have pediatric rehabilitation programs; each facility reviews referrals with consideration of the clinical need of the individual and also the current population receiving care.

Can an individual see his/her Primary Care Physician (PCP) during their stay?

• Attending physicians are assigned to new residents upon admission.
• The Admissions office can provide a list of physicians with privileges and if your PCP is not listed, the office can contact them about becoming credentialed to see our residents.

How are medications received?

• The Skilled Nursing Facility staff will offer to order medications through a contracted pharmacy and administer at the prescribed times.
• Medications are not allowed to be kept in resident rooms.

What is skilled nursing care?

• Licensed, comprehensive care for short-term rehabilitation or long-term nursing care and monitoring, both under direct physician oversight with nutritional support for recovery; services include but are not limited to, diabetes management, ostomy care, tracheostomy care, IV management, enteral nutrition, post-surgical care, and wound care.

How long does an individual receive short-term rehabilitation?

• Times vary, depending on progress/response to therapy, as well as medical conditions and history; however, short-term patients average 2-6 weeks in skilled care.

What is an interdisciplinary care plan?

• A plan designed to provide a continuum of care for the individual with a team of dedicated professionals, including the nursing and dietary teams, social worker, activities department, and physical, occupational and speech therapists. Our staff collaborates to provide support for the individual’s goal.

What is a physical therapy modality?

• Modalities, such as heat, ice, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation, are typically used in conjunction with other procedures to help relieve pain, improve circulation, reduce muscle spasm, and deliver medication.

What are the visiting hours?

• You are welcome anytime.

Can a resident go out for a day visit or home for holidays and weekends?

• Restrictions may apply depending on a resident’s current medical condition, as well as the payer source for care. Therefore, it’s advised to speak with the social worker to arrange a leave of absence.