What are the guidelines regarding SNF admission under Medicare?

• A. Must be inpatient status for three consecutive days
• B. Inpatient status is not required if there is a physician note
• C. Three days including day of discharge
• D. Discharged to SNF from observation

Answer: (A)

Medicare SNF coverage hinges on a qualifying hospital stay of at least three consecutive days as an inpatient. That means the patient must have been admitted to the hospital for three days in a row under inpatient status before SNF services can be billed as covered. Being kept in observation status does not count toward those three days, and a physician’s note cannot substitute for the inpatient stay. If these conditions are met (along with other eligibility rules like needing skilled services and the SNF admission occurring within the eligible window after discharge), SNF care can be covered.