Do you wonder if your Medicare coverage extends to skilled rehabilitation services? It is a valid question: many people may have difficulty paying for the full cost of Medicare without assistance from government programs that help them with these costs. Luckily, Medicare coverage does extend to skilled rehabilitation services, for the most part. There are a few important things to know when it comes to determining whether or not your particular condition is covered by Medicare.
Meeting The Requirements For Coverage Of Rehabilitation Services Through Medicare
The first thing to know about rehabilitation services that you want to be covered by Medicare is that these services have to have been recommended to you by a doctor. You cannot voluntarily choose to receive skilled rehabilitation services and get this care covered by Medicare. The other main requirement of getting your skilled rehabilitation services covered by Medicare is that your physician must have deemed it necessary for your rehabilitation to take place in a hospital, as opposed to a less intensive setting.
What exactly does it mean for services to be medically necessary? There are a few common characteristics of this kind of medical care:
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When the patient requires close monitoring and oversight by nurses as well as physicians
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When the patient requires nursing rehabilitation around the clock
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When the patient requires an intense level of therapy that can only be met at a specialized facility by professionals with the right kind of training
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When the patient requires a multidisciplinary team of experts for their rehabilitation
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When there are realistic goals for patient rehabilitation
It is important to remember that even if you do not meet every single one of these requirements, there is still a chance that Medicare coverage can help you with the cost of your rehabilitation. According to Medicare.gov, if rehabilitation services are required to meet your health goals and you had a qualifying hospital stay, you are eligible to receive Medicare coverage for your rehabilitation needs.
Choosing The Right Provider
Even if you are eligible for Medicare coverage to take care of some of the costs of your rehabilitation, you still have to deal with the task of choosing the proper provider of these services. It is important that you pick a facility staffed by medical specialists who understand your treatment needs and know exactly what is necessary for you to get back into ideal physical condition as soon as possible, so that you can continue enjoying the things that you love the most in life.
