Skilled Nursing Facility Care
Skilled nursing facilities provide a high level of medical care that includes nursing, rehabilitation, and other care, including medications. Skilled nursing facilities are not nursing homes or intermediate facilities.
- You may qualify if you:
- are treated in a hospital for at least three consecutive days, not including the day of discharge, and
- you enter the skilled nursing facility within 30 days of the hospital discharge.
- No day limit as long as the care is medically necessaryTo be medically necessary means it is appropriate, reasonable, and adequate for your condition.
- Pre-authorization is not required, except for:
- Active duty service members
- Medicare-eligible beneficiaries after the first 100 days
Covered skilled nursing services includes:
- A semi-private room
- Regular nursing services
- Meals (including special diets)
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy
- Drugs provided by the facility
- Medical supplies and appliances
Skilled nursing services are covered only in the United States, District of Columbia and U.S. Territories.
See Also:
The three-day prior hospital stay requirement before a skilled nursing facility admission has been waived. This waiver is temporary during the national health emergency due to the pandemic.
Disclaimer:
This list of covered services is not all inclusive. TRICARE covers services that are medically necessary and considered proven. There are special rules or limits on certain services, and some services are excluded.
Last Updated 3/20/2022