Swing-bed care is a service that rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) with a Medicare provider agreement can provide a patient that allows a patient to transition from acute care to Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) care without leaving the hospital. This allows a patient to continue receiving services in the hospital even though acute care is no longer required.
Swing-Bed care services are designed to allow patients to get the continued care they need while recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery in one facility. The goal of care is to assist the patient with getting back to their pre-illness or injury baseline. It is an especially important service in rural areas because it increases Medicare patient access to care.
Swing-bed facilities that are incorporated into the SNF protected payment system will cover all costs associated with care under Medicare Part A. However, the patient must meet certain criteria.
The patient must qualify for at least three consecutive inpatient overnights before SNF care in a Swing-Bed is an option. The patient must be stable and require daily skilled care or rehab that is required five days a week and willing to participate in achieving goals set by the patient and treatment team. A physician’s authorization is needed, and the patient must participate in Medicare Part A or another insurance plan that will cover the costs of swing-bed care.
A swing-bed can provide a complete range of skilled care services that include, but are not limited to:
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• IV medication therapy
• Wound Care
• Speech Therapy
Swing-bed care is not meant to be a permanent care solution. Multiple factors determine the amount of time that can be spent on-location in a swing-bed. In general, most stays last for a few days up to a few weeks, based on progress and insurance. Most hospitals don’t allow stays that go beyond 40 days. If more long-term care is needed, the physician will discuss other patient that may include in-home care or a transfer to a long-term care facility.
Please contact Holly Baker at:
The No Surprises Act protects patients from large and unexpected surprise bills for out-of-network emergencies and certain non-emergency services provided in in-network health care facilities.
810 North 22nd Street
Blair, Ne 68008
Hospital Main Phone Number:
