Under Medicare Part A coverage, for how long is a patient subject to a daily co-payment for skilled nursing facility care?

Under Medicare Part A, patients who require skilled nursing facility care are covered for a limited number of days, specifically for 100 days. The first 20 days of this care are fully covered without any out-of-pocket expenses. However, from day 21 to day 100, patients are subject to a daily co-payment. This cost-sharing structure encourages the efficient use of skilled nursing facility services while still providing substantial coverage for a significant duration of care, recognizing the need for such services after a hospital stay. Once the 100-day period is reached, Medicare does not provide additional coverage for skilled nursing facility care, which is why the daily co-payment applies specifically to the days within the 21 to 100 range.