The 3-day inpatient rule

Under Original Medicare, a skilled nursing facility (SNF) stay generally requires a qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay first. Those are midnights as an admitted inpatient. Time in observation, the emergency room, or outpatient status usually does not count, even if you spent the night. Ask the hospital: “Am I admitted as an inpatient? ”

Days 1–20, 21–100, and after

If the SNF stay qualifies under Original Medicare in 2026, days 1–20 have $0 coinsurance. Days 21–100 have a daily coinsurance ($217 in 2026). After day 100 in a For a hospital stay under Part A, it starts the day you are admitted and ends after 60 days in a row with no hospital or skilled-nursing care. A new period can mean you pay the hospital deductible again., Original Medicare SNF coverage ends unless a new For a hospital stay under Part A, it starts the day you are admitted and ends after 60 days in a row with no hospital or skilled-nursing care. A new period can mean you pay the hospital deductible again. starts. These figures are CMS amounts, not a facility’s private-pay rate.

What is a For a hospital stay under Part A, it starts the day you are admitted and ends after 60 days in a row with no hospital or skilled-nursing care. A new period can mean you pay the hospital deductible again.

A For a hospital stay under Part A, it starts the day you are admitted and ends after 60 days in a row with no hospital or skilled-nursing care. A new period can mean you pay the hospital deductible again. starts when you are admitted as an inpatient to a hospital or SNF. It ends when you have been out of both for 60 days in a row. A new qualifying hospital stay can start a new For a hospital stay under Part A, it starts the day you are admitted and ends after 60 days in a row with no hospital or skilled-nursing care. A new period can mean you pay the hospital deductible again. — and a new 100-day SNF clock. People are often surprised that a later stay can reopen the clock.

Medicare Advantage is different

A Medicare Advantage plan may require prior approval, a contracted SNF, and different cost-sharing. Some products waive the 3-day inpatient rule. None of that is automatic. Ask the plan and the facility. This article covers Original Medicare only.