How Long Does Medicare Cover Rehabilitation Services?

If you or a loved one are recovering from surgery, illness, or injury, rehab services like physical therapy or skilled nursing care can support your recovery.

But how long does Medicare cover rehab?

It depends on the type of care, the facility and whether it’s considered medically necessary. In general, Medicare Part A covers inpatient rehab, while Part B covers outpatient therapy.

Here’s what to know about what Medicare covers and for how long.

Types of Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities

Medicare covers different types of inpatient rehab, depending on your condition and how much care you need:

• Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs): For daily skilled care without full hospital services
• Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs): For intensive therapy, usually three hours a day or more
• Acute Care Rehabilitation Centers: Located in hospitals and used for short-term recovery
• Rehabilitation Hospitals: Standalone centers focused on longer-term rehab

Each facility type has its own coverage rules under Medicare, but all require a doctor’s order and medical justification.

Criteria for Inpatient Rehabilitation Coverage

Medicare will not cover rehab unless it’s medically necessary. To qualify for inpatient coverage under Part A:

• A doctor must certify that you need daily skilled therapy or supervision
• You need intensive rehab—often multiple therapies or 3+ hours a day
• You require ongoing oversight from a doctor
• Your care must involve a coordinated team

Medicare only covers rehab that helps you recover, not long-term or convenience-based care. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (which replaces Original Medicare), check your benefits to see how coverage may differ.

Services Covered by Medicare

When rehab is medically necessary, Medicare covers more than just physical therapy. It supports your full recovery, including physical, medical and daily care needs during an inpatient stay.

Rehabilitation Services

Medicare may cover:

• Physical Therapy — To restore strength, balance and mobility
• Occupational Therapy — To help with daily tasks like dressing or bathing
• Speech-Language Pathology — To support speech, swallowing or memory.

These services are provided by licensed therapists under a care plan from your doctor.

Other Covered Services

Medicare Part A also covers:

• A semi-private room (unless a private room is medically necessary)
• Meals that support recovery
• Nursing services for medication, wound care and monitoring
• Medications given during your stay
• Hospital supplies and equipment like IVs and wound dressings

These are all bundled under Part A when care is provided in a Medicare-approved facility.

Services Not Covered by Medicare

Even when rehab is covered, Medicare won’t pay for non-medical or optional items during your stay.

These include:

• Private duty nursing
• Telephone or television charges
• Personal items (like razors, slippers or toiletries)
• Private rooms, unless deemed medically necessary

You’ll be responsible for those charges out of pocket.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (in place of Original Medicare Part A and B), check your benefits. Some plans may cover extras Original Medicare does not, but coverage varies by plan.

Costs and Coverage for Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)

Medicare Part A may cover short-term care in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) if you’re recovering from a hospital stay and still need daily skilled care. This type of rehab often follows surgery, illness or injury.

Duration of Coverage

Medicare covers up to 100 days of SNF care per benefit period, but after the first 20 days, you’ll pay a daily coinsurance.

 A benefit period begins the day you’re admitted as an inpatient and ends when you go 60 days in a row without SNF or hospital care. If you need SNF care again after that, a new benefit period (and new 100-day limit) begins.

2025 SNF Costs Under Original Medicare:

• Days 1—20: No cost (after you’ve met your Part A deductible)
• Days 21—100: $204 per day
• Day 101 and beyond: You pay 100% of the cost

If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) or Medicare Advantage plan, these costs may be partially or fully covered, depending on your plan.

Qualifying Hospital Stay

To qualify, you must meet all of the following:

• A three-day inpatient stay (not including discharge day or observation care)
• Admission to the SNF within 30 days of leaving the hospital
• A doctor’s certification that you need daily skilled care

Outpatient Rehab Coverage

If you don’t meet the hospital stay rule, you may still get rehab under Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient services like physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Costs and Coverage for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF)

An Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) offers more intensive rehab than a Skilled Nursing Facility. It’s designed for people recovering from serious medical events who need daily therapy and close medical supervision.

Duration of Coverage

Medicare covers IRF care when it’s medically necessary and part of a doctor-approved plan. Coverage falls under Part A, and the number of covered days depends on your benefit period.

2025 Costs Under Original Medicare:

• Days 1—60: Covered in full (after meeting the Part A deductible)
• Days 61—90: $408 per day
• Days 91—150: $816 per day using lifetime reserve days
• After 150 days: You pay 100% of the cost

Medicare Advantage (Part C) replaces Original Medicare and covers IRF care too. These plans must offer the same basic rehab benefits but may have different costs or extra benefits. Always check your plan’s coverage.

Common Conditions Treated in IRFs:

• Stroke
• Brain or spinal cord injury
• Multiple fractures
• Severe arthritis or neurological conditions

Medical Criteria for Coverage:

 To qualify, your doctor must confirm that you meet all of the requirements below:

• Need intensive rehab (often 3+ hours of therapy a day)
• Require medical supervision for a rehab-trained doctor
• Benefit from coordinated care with a full team of specialists

Additional Considerations

Your rehab coverage can vary depending on the type of Medicare plan you have. Knowing the details can help you plan ahead and avoid surprise costs.

Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a private insurance alternative to Original Medicare. These plans must cover the same rehab services but may offer extra benefits or have different costs.

For example:

• In-home recovery support
• Transportation to rehab appointments
• Set copays instead of coinsurance
• Required use of network facilities

You cannot have Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare at the same time. Check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage (EOC) to understand what’s included.

Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap)

Medigap is only available if you have Original Medicare.

It helps cover costs like:

• Coinsurance for SNF or IRF stays
• Deductibles or extended care costs
• Copays for outpatient rehab

This can offer peace of mind if your rehab care goes beyond what Original Medicare covers.

Transfers from Acute Care Hospitals

If you’re moved directly from a hospital to a rehab facility (like an SNF or IRF), Medicare may treat it as a continuation of care, not a new admission.

• You won’t pay a new Part A deductible if the transfer happens within 60 days
• Be sure your provider documents the transfer correctly

FAQs

When does Medicare pay for a skilled nursing facility?

Medicare covers skilled nursing facility care when you’ve had a prior inpatient hospital stay of at least three consecutive days, not counting observation stays. You must also enter the SNF within 30 days of hospital discharge, and your doctor must certify that skilled care is necessary.

How much does rehab care cost with Medicare?

In 2025, the Part A deductible is $1,632 per benefit period.

• SNF stays: Days 1—20 are free; Days 21—100 cost $204 per day
• IRF stays: Coinsurance begins after Day 60, with increasing costs the longer you stay.

If you have Original Medicare:

• A Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan may help pay for deductibles, coinsurance or extended day costs related to rehab. These plans work alongside Original Medicare.

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan:

• Your costs and coverage rules may differ. Many plans set their own copays and may offer additional rehab benefits, depending on the plan.

Does Medicare cover outpatient rehabilitation services?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers outpatient rehab such as:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech-language pathology

Coverage is based on medical necessity and is subject to the Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance.

What does Medicare Advantage cover that Original Medicare does not?

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer extra benefits that are not included with Original Medicare. These can include things like capped copays, in-home recovery support, transportation to rehab appointments or additional wellness programs.

Note: Benefits vary by plan and location so always check your specific Medicare Advantage plan to see what’s covered.

Sources

• Medicare.gov: Skilled nursing facility care
• Medicare.gov: Costs
• Medicare: 2025 Medicare costs
• Medicare.gov: Skilled nursing facility care
• Medicare.gov: Inpatient rehabilitation care
• Medicare.gov: Skilled nursing facility care
• CMS.gov: 2025 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles
• CMS.gov: Medicare Deductible, Coinsurance, & Premium Rates: CY 2025 Update
• Medicare.gov: Inpatient hospital care
• Medicarerights.org: CMS Announces 2025 Premiums and Deductibles for Medicare Parts A and B
• healthline.com: Medicare and Inpatient Rehab Facilities: How Many Days Are Covered?

More About Medicare Coverage

• Does Medicare Cover Assisted Living?
• Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?
• Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic Care?
• Does Medicare Cover Colonoscopy?
• Does Medicare Cover CPAP Machines?
• Does Medicare Cover Dentures?
• Does Medicare Cover Eye Exams?
• Does Medicare Cover Glasses?
• Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?
• 5 Things to Know About Medicare Hospice Benefits
• Does Medicare Cover Mental Health Services?
• Does Medicare Cover COVID-19 Tests?
• Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Supplies?
• Does Medicare Cover Blood Pressure Monitors?
• Does Medicare Cover Physical Therapy?
• Does Medicare Cover Palliative Care?
• Does Medicare Cover Weight Loss Drugs?
• How to Qualify for Home Health Care Under Medicare

Disclaimers