Are all nursing homes considered skilled nursing facilities?

Oct 24, 2025 3 min read •

senior care Healthy Aging

Despite common public confusion, the answer to the question, "Are all nursing homes considered skilled nursing facilities?" is no. While there is significant overlap in services, the terms are not interchangeable, and understanding the difference is vital when planning for long-term care or post-hospital rehabilitation.

Quick Summary

A nursing home is primarily for long-term residential care, providing support with daily activities, while a skilled nursing facility (SNF) focuses on short-term, medically necessary rehabilitation following an illness or injury. Many modern facilities, however, offer both types of care under one roof, blurring the lines for consumers. The distinction often hinges on the specific services required and the intended length of stay.

Key Points

Not Interchangeable: Nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are not the same, though many modern care centers offer both types of services.
SNF = Short-Term Rehab: A skilled nursing facility is for short-term, intensive medical and rehabilitation care, typically after a hospital stay for illness, injury, or surgery.
Nursing Home = Long-Term Care: A nursing home provides long-term, residential custodial care for individuals needing help with daily living activities due to chronic conditions.
Medicare Coverage Varies: Medicare typically covers medically necessary, short-term stays in a Medicare-certified SNF, but generally does not cover long-term custodial care in a nursing home.
Facilities Can Offer Both: Many care centers have both SNF units for rehabilitation and long-term care wings, allowing for transitions as a patient's needs change.

Unpacking the Definitions: Nursing Home vs. Skilled Nursing Facility

While often used interchangeably by the public, there's a key distinction between nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). A traditional nursing home primarily provides long-term, 24/7 residential care for individuals who need assistance with daily activities (custodial care) due to chronic conditions or limited mobility. Their focus is on maintaining a stable living environment and overall quality of life.

In contrast, a skilled nursing facility (SNF) is an inpatient medical and rehabilitation center focused on short-term recovery. Patients in an SNF typically require intensive, medically supervised care and therapies, such as those recovering from surgery or a stroke. The goal is to help patients regain function and independence to return home or transition to a lower level of care. These facilities are staffed by licensed professionals including nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.

The Key Differences in Care and Stay

The core difference lies in the purpose and expected duration of care. Nursing homes are for long-term residency and ongoing daily support, while SNFs are for temporary medical recovery and rehabilitation.

Comparing Services and Coverage


Feature	Nursing Home	Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Primary Goal	Long-term residential care and custodial support.	Short-term rehabilitation and medical recovery.
Length of Stay	Often permanent or long-term.	Temporary, typically 100 days or fewer for Medicare coverage.
Level of Care	Focuses on assistance with daily living (ADLs) and 24/7 supervision.	Provides daily skilled medical care and rehabilitative therapies.
Staffing	24-hour nursing aides and licensed nurses, but specialized care is not the main focus.	Higher ratio of licensed medical professionals, including RNs, LPNs, physical, occupational, and speech therapists.
Coverage	Generally not covered by Medicare for long-term stays. Paid primarily out-of-pocket, by Medicaid, or long-term care insurance.	Can be covered by Medicare for a limited time (up to 100 days per benefit period) if medically necessary and preceded by a qualifying hospital stay.

Navigating the Overlap in Today's Facilities

Many modern senior care centers are dually certified, offering both skilled nursing and long-term care within the same building. This allows for a smoother transition if a long-term resident needs temporary rehabilitation in an SNF unit or if an SNF patient requires more permanent care after their rehabilitation is complete.

How to Choose the Right Care Option

Choosing the appropriate care setting requires assessing the individual's specific medical needs and the expected duration of care in consultation with healthcare professionals. Short-term, intensive therapy points towards an SNF, while long-term assistance with daily living indicates a nursing home or long-term care facility. Financial considerations are also crucial, particularly understanding Medicare's coverage for SNF stays versus its general lack of coverage for long-term nursing home custodial care. Researching facilities' certifications and understanding insurance benefits are vital steps.

The Importance of Federal Certification

For Medicare to cover skilled nursing services, a facility must be certified as a Medicare-certified SNF by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This certification ensures the facility meets federal and state health and safety standards. Even in dually certified facilities, only the SNF portion is eligible for Medicare coverage for qualifying stays, making it important to confirm a facility's specific certifications when considering care options.

Conclusion: Differentiating is Key

While many facilities now offer a range of services, it's crucial to understand that not all nursing homes are skilled nursing facilities. The core difference lies in the focus: SNFs provide short-term medical rehabilitation, while nursing homes offer long-term residential custodial care. Differentiating between these types of care is essential for making informed decisions about senior care, ensuring that medical needs are met in the most appropriate setting. For further resources on senior care options, visit LongTermCare.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the focus and duration of care. A skilled nursing facility (SNF) provides short-term, rehabilitative care for patients recovering from an illness or injury, while a nursing home offers long-term, residential custodial care for people who need ongoing assistance with daily living.

Yes, a stay in an SNF is generally temporary, with the goal of rehabilitation so the patient can return home or move to a lower level of care. For Medicare coverage, stays are limited to a maximum of 100 days per benefit period.

Medicare typically does not cover long-term custodial care in a nursing home. It may, however, cover a short-term, medically necessary stay in a Medicare-certified SNF, which could be part of a larger nursing home facility.

Consult with a healthcare professional to assess the required level of care. If they need intensive, daily medical care and therapy for a recovery period, an SNF is likely the right choice. If they need long-term help with daily activities, a nursing home is more appropriate.

Skilled nursing facilities offer a range of medically-intensive services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, wound care, intravenous (IV) therapy, and monitoring of vital signs.

Yes, many modern senior care facilities are dually certified and offer both skilled nursing (for short-term rehab) and long-term nursing home care, often in separate wings or units within the same building.

Custodial care refers to non-medical assistance with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, and eating. It is generally not covered by Medicare and is typically paid for out-of-pocket, by Medicaid for eligible individuals, or through long-term care insurance.

References

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.