Medicare's 3-day inpatient rule, established in 1965, requires patients to stay three consecutive days in the hospital to qualify for skilled nursing facility coverage. This outdated rule often leads to longer hospital stays and higher costs, especially for traditional Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare Advantage plans often waive this rule. A new TEAM model waiver allows certain hospitals to discharge patients directly to skilled nursing facilities for specific surgeries, easing the burden for some patients.
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