What percentage of nursing home costs does Medicare cover after the 20th day?

Medicare covers nursing home costs primarily for short-stay rehabilitative services under certain conditions, specifically for skilled nursing facility care following a qualifying hospital stay. For the first 20 days of qualified nursing care, Medicare covers 100% of the costs. However, after the 20th day, Medicare only covers a portion of the costs, which is 80%.

This percentage indicates that while Medicare provides significant assistance after the initial period, beneficiaries are responsible for co-payments for the remaining days. This understanding is crucial for patients planning for long-term care services and managing potential out-of-pocket expenses that could arise after the initial coverage period.