Helpful Nursing Facility Information

Download Brochure Here

Doctor or nurse caregiver with senior man ina wheelchair at home or nursing home

For a list of all nursing facilities in Vermont ask your Case Manager or visit:
https://dlp.vermont.gov/survey-cert/facility-lists
To compare facilities, use the link provided below:
https://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare

When Is A Nursing Facility Right For You?

If you need more care than you can get at home, then a stay in a nursing facility may be recommended. The length of your stay will depend on your needs, the progress that you make, and the help that you will have when you return home.

Levels of Care
Nursing facilities provide different levels of care – skilled care and intermediate care. A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) has the staff and equipment to provide skilled care and/or therapy. Skilled care is usually only needed for a short time. For example, you may need physical therapy to help you learn to walk after a hip surgery or you may need care that can only be given by a nurse. An Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) provides care that helps you with daily activities such as getting in and out of bed, eating, bathing, dressing or using the bathroom. It may also include care that most people can do themselves, such as taking
medications, using oxygen, etc.

How Will This Care Be Paid For?
Medicare
Medicare may cover your nursing facility stay for a short time if ALL of the following apply:
(1) you have Medicare part A and have days left in your benefit period;
(2) you have been in the hospital for medically necessary inpatient care for at least 3 days in a row, not including the day you leave the hospital, and are admitted to the SNF within 30 days of leaving the hospital for care
related to the reason you were in the hospital;
(3) your doctor has ordered daily skilled care; and
(4) you will receive these services in a facility that is Medicare certified.
Skilled care is the ONLY type of nursing facility care that Medicare will pay for.

How Will This Care Be Arranged?
If nursing facility care might be right for you, then your Case Manager will meet with you and your family. You will be given a list of nursing facilities near your home. Every effort will be made to get you into the facility of your choice. However, options and bed availability may be limited. Your Case Manager will make referral(s) to the nursing facilities that will meet your needs. We encourage you or your family to visit or call the nursing facilities. Your provider will decide when you are medically ready to leave the hospital and how you will travel to the nursing facility (ambulance, wheelchair van or car). Your Case Manager can help to set-up the transportation.