Frequently Asked Questions

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES (SNFs) & HOSPITALS

In reality, a nursing home or SNF is different.

• An SNF must maintain a home-like environment.  Patients are called residents. It may help to think of the SNF as a home away from home with medical care available 24 hours a day. Beds will not have side rails unless necessary and ordered by a physician, etc.
• Daily physician rounds are not required. MCR requires physicians to see residents every (30) days for the first (90) days, then every (60) days thereafter. However, physicians may see residents as often as medically necessary.
• Nursing homes or SNFs do not have pharmacies located within the facility. Your prescribed medication will be ordered once you have arrived. SNFs typically have ER boxes with certain medications on hand. However, the majority of medications prescribed for pain are not allowed to be kept in an ER box at the facility. Once ordered, your medications should arrive at the facility within a few hours after admission. Some medications such as antipsychotic or hypnotic medications must have a signed consent prior to the nursing staff being able to administer these medications. All medications given must have a physician's order including Tylenol, etc. Nursing staff will diligently try to obtain physicians' orders in a timely manner to accommodate your needs.
• In order to meet the goals of rehabilitation, maintenance, preventive care, and support, the SNF nursing staff must encourage each resident to do as much as possible for themselves. Independence is important to self-esteem and a stepping stone to being able to return to the prior living condition. The nursing staff will assess your individual needs for assistance in activities of daily living.
• Most care in nursing facilities is provided by certified nursing assistants, not by skilled personnel. In 2004, there were, on average, 40 certified nursing assistants per 100 residents beds. The number of registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses was significantly lower at 7 per 100 resident beds and 13 per 100 resident beds respectively. A good question to ask when inquiring about an SNF is the ratio of staff to residents for both certified nurse aides and licensed nurses. The industry norm is per patient day hours for staffing or PPD.

• Example: Census = 100 residents
• 100 x PPD (3.0) = 300 hours for nursing staff each day
• How many of these hours are allocated for certified nurse aides, medication aides, or registered or licensed nurses?

What are my payment options?

Private Pay - A rate of pay per day will be set which you or your responsible party will pay on a monthly basis. This payment includes room & board; 24-hour nursing care; assistance with all ADLs (Activities of Daily Living); three meals with snacks; laundry services, and housekeeping.

Medicare - Medicare will only pay after a qualifying stay at an acute care hospital. Medicare pays up to 100 days for SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility) services.  Your Medicare benefits pay for the first 20 days at 100%; days 21-100 there is a co-pay that is set by the federal government.

Medicaid - Medicaid is an eligibility based state governed program.  Medicaid will pay for your stay once medical necessity is established.  Your allowable income (Social Security check, Disability check, Pension, etc.) is paid to the facility for your portion of room and board, as well as, 24-hour nursing care; in turn you will be given $60 a month for your personal needs.

Medicare Replacement Insurance - These plans usually follow the same guidelines as Medicare, however, benefits will be checked upon inquiry.

What do I need to bring when I move in?

Whether it is for a short stay on SNF/Rehabilitation, or you are planning to be with us long term, we encourage you to make the room feel as much like home as possible. So please feel free to bring pictures of family/friends, flowers, plants, and little knick knacks. We also would advise you bring comfortable clothing, night clothing, and non-skid shoes.  The facility offers laundry services, so please mark the tags of your clothing with a Sharpie so items are not lost.

What kind of therapy is offered?

Since each person comes to us with different needs, our In-House Therapy team will assess and develop a personal program.  We offer:

• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• Restorative Therapy

What is the difference between therapy in a hospital setting and this Facility?

The one and only way that we are different is an Acute Therapy Hospital requires that you be able to complete three hours of therapy from the day you admit.  Not everyone is able to do that; this facility's therapy team allows you to start where you are now and build yourself up from there. That does not mean we cannot provide the same amount of therapy that the hospital provides.