How long must a resident wait before re-qualifying for Medicare reimbursement after their initial stay in a skilled nursing facility?

In order for a resident to re-qualify for Medicare reimbursement after their initial stay in a skilled nursing facility, they must experience a period of at least 60 consecutive days without receiving skilled care. This waiting period is known as the "non-covered days" before a new qualifying hospital stay can reset their eligibility for Medicare benefits.

During this timeframe, the resident is not eligible for new Medicare coverage, as Medicare rules stipulate that the individual must be discharged and remain out of skilled care for 60 days before they can again qualify for Medicare coverage under a new benefit period. Understanding this timeline is important for both healthcare providers and residents, as it impacts planning for continued care and coverage for rehabilitation or other skilled nursing needs.