How Can I Appeal a Discharge From a Skilled Nursing Facility?

Dear Marci, I am enrolled in Original Medicare. I will need to recover from an upcoming surgery in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) and I am nervous because I’ve heard of people being discharged from SNFs before they are ready to go home. What can I do if this happens? ~Rex (Louisville, KY)

Dear Rex,

If you are receiving care from a SNF and are told that Medicare will no longer pay for your care (meaning that you will be discharged), you have the right to a fast (expedited) appeal if you do not believe your care should end. There is a different process if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan. Note that this process is different if your care is being reduced but not ending, and you do not agree with that reduction.

If you are enrolled in Original Medicare:

• If your care is ending at a SNF because your provider believes Medicare will not pay for it, you should receive a Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage. You should get this notice no later than two days before your care is set to end.