What does Original Medicare cover for Mrs. Foster's care in a skilled nursing facility?

Original Medicare provides specific coverage guidelines for skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. Under Medicare Part A, coverage for a skilled nursing facility typically starts after a three-day qualifying hospital stay. If Mrs. Foster has met this requirement, Medicare will cover her care in an SNF for up to 100 days, provided that the care is deemed medically necessary.

The correct answer indicates that Original Medicare covers only the first 20 days of her stay. In reality, during this initial period, there is no copayment required, as the full cost of care is covered. However, after the first 20 days, Medicare begins to impose a copayment for days 21 through 100, which is part of the rules governing this type of care.

Therefore, it is crucial to understand that while the coverage is designed to help individuals receive necessary rehabilitation services in a skilled nursing facility after a hospital stay, it is limited in duration and comes with specific financial conditions once the covered period extends beyond the initial days.