A skilled nursing facility provides short-term medical care and rehabilitation, usually after a hospital stay. Here's how to find one near you.
How do I find a skilled nursing facility near me?
Use Medicare's Care Compare tool at medicare.gov/care-compare, enter your ZIP code, and filter for nursing homes, which include skilled nursing facilities. Each listing shows star ratings, staffing, and inspection history. Because most skilled nursing stays follow a hospital admission, hospital discharge planners and case managers are valuable resources — they coordinate directly with nearby SNFs and know which have openings and good rehab outcomes. Confirm the facility is Medicare-certified so your skilled stay is covered, and check that it offers the specific therapy your recovery requires (physical, occupational, or speech). Proximity to family aids recovery and oversight. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP (1-800-633-4427) for free help comparing options.
What should I check before entering a skilled nursing facility?
Before choosing a skilled nursing facility, confirm it's Medicare-certified and that your stay qualifies — you'll generally need a 3-day inpatient hospital stay first. Verify the facility offers the rehabilitation you need and review its star rating, especially staffing and inspection scores. Ask about therapy hours per day, the rehab team's experience, and discharge-planning support to help you return home safely. Understand your costs: Medicare covers days 1-20 fully, with coinsurance for days 21-100 that Medigap can cover. Confirming coverage and quality upfront prevents surprises during a stressful recovery. Our licensed agents can review your Medicare coverage free of charge. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP (1-800-633-4427).