Medicare provides coverage for rehabilitation services, but benefits are not unlimited. Understanding the circumstances when these benefits exhaust is crucial for individuals undergoing therapy. Limitations can arise due to benefit periods, specific plan limitations, or failing to meet the criteria for continued medical necessity as determined by Medicare guidelines. A patient might, for example, exhaust their allotted days in a skilled nursing facility, triggering a need to explore alternative payment options or care settings.
Planning for potential cessation of Medicare coverage is vital because continued access to rehabilitation services often significantly impacts long-term health outcomes, functional independence, and overall quality of life. Historically, limited access to post-acute care has been linked to increased rates of hospital readmission, poorer recovery trajectories, and greater reliance on informal caregiving. Addressing these potential limitations proactively can mitigate such adverse consequences.
