Skilled Nursing Facility Vs. Nursing Facility… What is the Difference?
Are you confused about the different types of nursing facilities? Medicare says the differences between the two are slight. The benefit seems to be the key here. Skilled nursing facilities (Place of Service code 31) patient stays are paid by Medicare Part A. Nursing facilities (POS code 32) patient stays are paid by Part B.
The June 4th correction to Medicare Carriers Manual transmittal 1690 allow codes 99301-13 to be billed with POS 31, skilled nursing facility; 32, nursing facility; 54, intermediate care facility; or 56, psychiatric residential treatment facility.
Remember that Medicare pays for the SNF under Part A for a stay of up to 100 consecutive days. The time starts over when a patient is discharged. So what do you do after the 100th day and the patient is still there? CMS says change the POS from 31 to 32.
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