Description of Skilled Nursing Facility

7004.2 - Description of Skilled Nursing Facility (Rev. 63, Issued: 09-10-10, Effective: 09-10-10, Implementation: 09-10-10) A skilled nursing facility is a facility which: • Is primarily engaged in providing to residents skilled nursing care and related services for residents who require medical or nursing care; or • Is primarily engaged in providing to residents skilled rehabilitation services for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled, or sick persons and is not primarily for the care and treatment of mental diseases; • Has in effect a transfer agreement (meeting the requirements of §1861(1) of the Act with one or more hospitals having agreements in effect under §1866 of the Act); and • Meets the requirements for a skilled nursing facility described in subsections (b), (c), and (d) of §1819 of the Act. A skilled nursing facility provides a level of care distinguishable both from the level of intensive care furnished by a general hospital and from the level of custodial or supportive care furnished by nursing homes primarily designed to provide daily services above room and board. This level of care is reflected in the participation requirements for skilled nursing facilities. While the requirements call for a wide range of specialized medical services and the employment by the facility of a variety of paramedical and skilled nursing personnel, the emphasis on restorative services is oriented toward providing services for residents who require and can benefit from skilled nursing and one or more types of skilled restorative services, e.g., physical or speech therapy.