Long-term care hospital services
covers the cost of long-term care in a
(LTCH).
Under Medicare, you're only responsible for one
for any
. This applies whether you're in an acute care hospital or a long-term care hospital (LTCH).
You don't have to pay a second deductible for the cost of long-term care in a LTCH if:
- You're transferred to a LTCH directly from an acute care hospital.
- You're admitted to a LTCH within 60 days of being discharged from an inpatient hospital stay.
If you're admitted to the LTCH more than 60 days after any previous hospital stay:
- A new benefit period begins.
- You'll have to pay a deductible and
Coinsurance because you're in a new benefit period. These charges are the same as if you were being admitted to an acute care hospital.
Note
To find out how much your test, item, or service will cost, talk to your doctor or health care provider. The specific amount you’ll owe may depend on several things, like:
- Other insurance you may have
- How much your doctor charges
- Whether your doctor accepts assignment
- The type of facility
- Where you get your test, item, or service
Note
Your doctor or other health care provider may recommend you get services more often than Medicare covers. Or, they may recommend services that Medicare doesn’t cover. If this happens, you may have to pay some or all of the costs. Ask questions so you understand why your doctor is recommending certain services and whether Medicare will pay for them.
LTCHs specialize in treating patients that are hospitalized for more than 25 days. Patients may include people who've used ventilators for an extended period of time, or experience a severe wound or head injury.
After being discharged from the LTCH, many people get one of these:
- Care in a skilled nursing facility
- Custodial care in a long-term care facility