Show When will Medicare cover your stay in a rehab hospital? This may seem confusing, but when you’re seeking Medicare coverage, there are certain criteria your situation must meet. For example, you must require 24-hour access to a registered nurse with specialized training or experience in rehabilitation. And, in order to you to qualify for a Medicare-covered stay in a rehabilitation hospital, your doctor must state that this care is medically necessary. When you do qualify, It’s a good idea to be aware of what services are included in Medicare’s rehab coverage. On that all-important list, you’ll find medical care and rehabilitation nursing; physical, occupational, and speech therapy; social worker assistance; psychological services and orthotic and prosthetic services; a semi-private room, meals, and drugs. Don’t, however, expect Medicare rehab coverage to pick up the tab for personal items like toothpaste, the television, or a phone in your room. As with other inpatient hospital stays, Medicare won’t pay for everything. One common mistake people make with Medicare is not being aware of their out-of-pocket costs. If you are in a rehab hospital, your out-of-pocket costs will be the same as costs for any other inpatient hospital stay. Understand too, that if you enter a rehabilitation hospital after being an inpatient at a different facility, you’ll still be in the same benefit period. And if you don’t qualify for a Medicare-covered stay in an inpatient rehab hospital, you may qualify for rehabilitation care from a skilled nursing facility, a home health agency, or an outpatient setting. What does Medicare cover for cardiac rehabilitation? If you need comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CCR), Medicare Part B covers that, including exercise, education, and counseling. Part B also covers the more rigorous cardiac rehabilitation (ICR), again including exercise, education, and counseling. ICR programs may be offered in a doctor’s office or as an outpatient service at a hospital. If you receive services in a doctor’s office, you’ll have to pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for them. If you use the services of a hospital, expect to pay a copayment to the hospital. The Part B deductible applies. What qualifies you for Part B coverage of ICR? You must have had at least one of these conditions:
Rest assured that an ICR program is covered if your doctor orders it and you have one or more of the conditions listed above (excluding stable chronic heart failure—for that, CCR is covered). What’s your doctor’s role in getting you rehab care?
Your doctor’s expectations are part of the criteria, too. Your doctor must expect that your condition will improve enough for you to regain your independence after a rehabilitation hospital stay. That means you should be able to resume activities of daily living on your own, like being able to eat, bathe, and dress yourself, living at home either alone, or with family or a companion. How long will Medicare pay for a rehab facility? Medicare Part A will also cover 90 days of inpatient hospital rehab with some coinsurance costs after you meet your Part A deductible. Beginning on day 91, you will begin to tap into your “lifetime reserve days.” Keep in mind that some Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional rehab time coverage. Are you interested in learning more about what Medicare does and doesn’t cover? Sign up for YourMedicare.com’s free monthly newsletter. Approved YM04012109 Return to: Medicare In-Depth When will Medicare cover your stay in a rehab hospital? This may seem confusing, but when you’re seeking Medicare coverage, there are certain criteria your situation must meet. For example, you must require 24-hour access to a registered nurse with specialized training or experience in rehabilitation. And, in order to you to qualify for a Medicare-covered stay in a rehabilitation hospital, your doctor must state that this care is medically necessary. When you do qualify, It’s a good idea to be aware of what services are included in Medicare’s rehab coverage. On that all-important list, you’ll find medical care and rehabilitation nursing; physical, occupational, and speech therapy; social worker assistance; psychological services and orthotic and prosthetic services; a semi-private room, meals, and drugs. Don’t, however, expect Medicare rehab coverage to pick up the tab for personal items like toothpaste, the television, or a phone in your room. As with other inpatient hospital stays, Medicare won’t pay for everything. One common mistake people make with Medicare is not being aware of their out-of-pocket costs. If you are in a rehab hospital, your out-of-pocket costs will be the same as costs for any other inpatient hospital stay. Understand too, that if you enter a rehabilitation hospital after being an inpatient at a different facility, you’ll still be in the same benefit period. And if you don’t qualify for a Medicare-covered stay in an inpatient rehab hospital, you may qualify for rehabilitation care from a skilled nursing facility, a home health agency, or an outpatient setting. What does Medicare cover for cardiac rehabilitation? If you need comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CCR), Medicare Part B covers that, including exercise, education, and counseling. Part B also covers the more rigorous cardiac rehabilitation (ICR), again including exercise, education, and counseling. ICR programs may be offered in a doctor’s office or as an outpatient service at a hospital. If you receive services in a doctor’s office, you’ll have to pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for them. If you use the services of a hospital, expect to pay a copayment to the hospital. The Part B deductible applies. What qualifies you for Part B coverage of ICR? You must have had at least one of these conditions:
Rest assured that an ICR program is covered if your doctor orders it and you have one or more of the conditions listed above (excluding stable chronic heart failure—for that, CCR is covered). What’s your doctor’s role in getting you rehab care?
Your doctor’s expectations are part of the criteria, too. Your doctor must expect that your condition will improve enough for you to regain your independence after a rehabilitation hospital stay. That means you should be able to resume activities of daily living on your own, like being able to eat, bathe, and dress yourself, living at home either alone, or with family or a companion. How long will Medicare pay for a rehab facility? Medicare Part A will also cover 90 days of inpatient hospital rehab with some coinsurance costs after you meet your Part A deductible. Beginning on day 91, you will begin to tap into your “lifetime reserve days.” Keep in mind that some Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional rehab time coverage. Are you interested in learning more about what Medicare does and doesn’t cover? Sign up for YourMedicare.com’s free monthly newsletter. Approved YM04012109 Return to: Medicare In-Depth YourMedicare.com takes pride in providing you as much information as possible concerning your Medicare options, but only a health insurance broker licensed to sell Medicare can help you compare your plan options from various insurance companies. When you’re ready, we recommend you discuss your needs with a YourMedicare.com Licensed Sales Agent. Does Medicare cover in home care after knee replacement?In the case of a person leaving the hospital following surgery, Medicare will cover the costs of home care as long as the agency is Medicare-certified and as long as a doctor certifies that the need is both part-time (less than eight hours a day) and temporary (less than 21 days).
Does Medicare cover post surgery rehab?Medicare pays for rehabilitation deemed reasonable and necessary for treatment of your diagnosis or condition. Medicare will pay for inpatient rehab for up to 100 days in each benefit period, as long as you have been in a hospital for at least three days prior.
Does Medicare pay for physical therapy after knee replacement surgery?Although there is generally no coverage under Original Medicare for prescription medications you take at home, Part B typically pays 80% of allowable charges for all medically necessary doctor visits and physical or occupational therapy services you need after your surgery.
How Long Will Medicare pay for physical therapy after surgery?Doctors can authorize up to 30 days of physical therapy at a time. But, if you need physical therapy beyond those 30 days, your doctor must re-authorize it.
|