Inpatient rehabilitation care

Inpatient rehabilitation can help if you’re recovering from a serious surgery, illness, or injury and need an intensive rehabilitation therapy program, physician supervision, and coordinated care from your doctors and other health care providers (including therapists).

• Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers medically necessary care you get in an inpatient rehabilitation facility or unit (sometimes called an inpatient “rehab” facility, IRF, acute care rehabilitation center, or rehabilitation hospital).
• Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers doctors’ services you get while you’re in an inpatient rehabilitation facility.

Medicare-covered inpatient rehabilitation care includes:

• Rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology
• A semi-private room
• Meals
• Nursing services
• Prescription drugs
• Other hospital services and supplies

Medicare doesn’t cover these items and services:

• Private duty nursing
• A phone or television in your room (if there’s a separate charge for these items)
• Personal items, like toothpaste, socks, or razors (except when a hospital gives them as part of your hospital admission pack)
• A private room, unless medically necessary

Your health care provider must certify that you have a medical condition requiring intensive rehabilitation, continued medical supervision, and coordinated care from your providers.