Does insurance pay for skilled nursing facility care?

Skilled nursing facilities offer care and therapy to help patients recover from injury, illness and hospitalization. In addition to short-term care, long-term care is also available for those who are unable to live independently and need daily medical assistance. While the cost of skilled nursing care varies depending on the facility and geographic location, costs usually start in the thousands per month. The first question many people have when looking for skilled nursing care is whether insurance will pay for it. Here’s what you need to know:

Private insurance coverage for skilled nursing facilities

In the event you need to stay at a skilled nursing facility to recover from a short-term medical condition such as an injury or illness that required hospitalization, most private medical insurance policies will pay all or a significant portion of your stay due to medical necessity. Typically, most private insurance policies do not cover the costs of long-term care at a skilled nursing facility. Fortunately, there are specific long-term care insurance policies that you can add to existing coverage or apply for separately before it is needed. Additionally, many life insurance policies allow policy holders to cash out a portion of their death benefits to pay for long-term care.

Medicare coverage for skilled nursing facilities

Medicare, which is a government-sponsored health insurance program for senior citizens, only covers short-term rehabilitation and recovery at skilled nursing facilities. To qualify, patients must have had a qualifying stay in a hospital and a doctor’s recommendation that daily skilled care is needed. Full cost coverage lasts for the first 20 days at the facility, followed by a daily cost ranging from $170-$185 for days 21-100. Coverage ends as of day 101, at which time all costs become the responsibility of the patient. There is often a misconception that Medicare will pay for long-term care at a skilled nursing facility because the program does cover long-term residency at nursing homes. This is an important distinction to be aware of.

Medicaid coverage for skilled nursing facilities

Medicaid is similar to Medicare, but instead of being offered exclusively to senior citizens, the government-backed health insurance is available to everyone below a certain income level. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid covers long-term care at a wider variety of facilities, including skilled nursing facilities, and there is no time limit to the coverage periods. Medicaid coverage for skilled nursing facilities covers all costs, including room and board, any therapies necessary for regular care (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc.), medical devices, and personal care items such as incontinence supplies and toiletries. 

Skilled nursing care at Bella Vista Health Center

Whether you need short-term skilled nursing care to recover following hospitalization or long-term care to meet your medical needs and assistance with daily activities, Bella Vista Health Center offers a wide range of services and amenities, along with round-the-clock care from a compassionate staff of medical and therapeutic professionals in our nurturing 5-Star Skilled Nursing Facility. For more information about our short- and long-term care programs, or to schedule a tour, call us at (619) 644-1000.

Physical Therapy after knee replacement surgery

The knee is the most commonly replaced joint in the body. Total knee replacement surgery is needed when there is damage from bone diseases or a fracture that doesn’t heal properly, or when knee pain or alignment problems cause difficulty walking or performing daily activities. The rehabilitation process after surgery is crucial for maximizing mobility restoring functionality. Physical therapy after knee replacement surgery will ensure that you gain the full benefits of the surgery.

Benefits of physical therapy after knee replacement

Regaining strength and range-of-motion after knee replacement surgery is crucial to recovery. Gentle exercises will help you bear weight on your new knee joint, and performing range-of-motion exercises prevents scar tissue from limiting the new joint’s flexibility. Other benefits of physical therapy after knee replacement include:

• Enhanced mobility

• Improved blood circulation

• Reduced or eliminated pain

• Improved muscle function

• Improved balance

• Strengthened core

For the first two weeks after surgery, your recovery goal will focus on healing the incision, decreasing swelling, and managing pain, but afterward you can begin physical therapy, which usually lasts between four and eight weeks.

Physical therapy treatments after knee replacement

After an initial evaluation, your physical therapist will create a customized treatment program based on your needs and abilities. While the specific exercises and recovery time may vary, treatment plans generally include a similar slate of exercises.

Range of motion: To improve your new joint’s range of motion, the physical therapist will employ equipment such as stationary bikes in addition to assistive exercises that move your joints in a specific, targeted way.

Strength: The muscles around your knee tend to decrease in strength following surgery, so your physical therapist will prescribe strengthening exercises for your quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip muscles. The therapist might also use neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to contract your quadriceps muscle in order to build strength.

Balance: Decreased strength and range-of-motion in your knee can also severely affect your balance, which is why physical therapists use BAPS boards (flat discs with a hemisphere screwed to the bottom) and single-leg standing exercises to help regain normal balance.

Gait training: As most knee replacement patients start physical therapy using a walker or cane, gait training exercises can help you restore your normal gait without the use of an assistive device.

Scar tissue management: The scar on the front of the knee after surgery tends to feel tight and can limit mobility.  Physical therapists use techniques such as scar tissue massage and mobilization to ensure the scar and skin around it move normally.

Functional and activity-specific training: When you can walk freely without pain, your physical therapist will introduce activities that were common before surgery, such as crossing a busy street or getting on and off an escalator. Therapists can also help you with specific physical activities necessary for your job or hobbies, including climbing a ladder or swinging a golf club.

Length of physical therapy for knee replacement

Everyone heals at different rates. Pre-existing health conditions and other factors can lead to longer recovery times from knee replacement surgery. While the average length of physical therapy for knee replacement is four to eight weeks, the duration of your therapy could be shorter or longer. It’s also important to remember that many patients do not feel completely healed and mobilized when therapy comes to an end. Most physical therapists teach their patients a variety of at-home exercises so they can continue making further gains in recovery.

Physical therapy after knee replacement surgery in San Diego

If you are scheduled for knee replacement surgery and you’re looking for physical therapists who specialize in joint replacement recovery, come see us! Bella Vista Health Center in San Diego offers customized therapy plans and a team of compassionate medical professionals who will strive to get you back to independent living. For more information about our orthopedic rehabilitation options or to schedule a tour of our 5-Star Skilled Nursing Facility, call us at (619) 644-1000.

What is a Cardiac Rehabilitation program?

According to the CDC, about one in four people who have had a heart attack will have another one in their lifetime. The chances of having a second heart attack are greatly reduced, however, if patients go through a cardiac rehabilitation program, which strengthens the heart and encourages healthy living for overall wellness. If you or a loved one has recently suffered a heart attack, here’s what you need to know about how cardiac rehabilitation can help:

What is cardiac rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation is a supervised exercise and educational program that helps patients strengthen their heart and live healthier lives. A team of doctors, nurses, physical therapists, nutritionists, and other health care specialists will create a customized program that fits your lifestyle and medical needs. The main goal of cardiac rehabilitation is to lower the likelihood of future heart problems. Through the program you will learn to:

• Improve physical fitness

• Exercise safely

• Manage other cardiovascular risk factors

• Adopt a heart-healthy diet

People who complete cardiac rehabilitation programs gain greater control of their health and report feeling better both physically and emotionally. 

How does cardiac rehabilitation help?

In addition to strengthening your heart and body after a heart attack and reducing the chances of another incident, cardiac rehabilitation offers many short and long term benefits:

• Relieves symptoms of heart problems, including chest pain

• Reduces stress and improves mood

• Increases energy and strength to make daily activities easier

• Builds healthier habits 

• Promotes consistent use of prescribed medications that lower the risk of future heart problems

Cardiac rehabilitation is the key to optimizing your heart health for the long-haul. 

What happens during cardiac rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation programs usually last around three months, with sessions a few times a week. In general, programs include a combination of supervised exercise training to improve cardiovascular fitness. Exercises will include both aerobic exercise and strength training using weights or elastic bands and will be personalized according to your physical abilities and the severity of your heart condition. Sessions will also include nutrition counseling to improve your diet, education about your condition so you’re fully informed about your health, and skills-building activities and emotional support.

Who needs cardiac rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation is important for anyone who has recently had a heart attack, heart transplant, or heart surgery for other cardiovascular conditions. Unfortunately, studies show that women tend to be less likely to enroll in a rehab program after heart problems, and older adults are also more reluctant due to a belief that they are unable to exercise. This puts them at higher risk for future heart problems. The good news is that cardiac rehab specialists create customized programs to work around anyone’s perceived obstacles, so everyone can reap the benefits and strengthen their heart.

Where are cardiac rehabilitation programs available?

While some cardiac rehabilitation programs are available in the hospital, most programs are offered at rehabilitation centers that have all the necessary equipment and personnel on site. Your surgeon or cardiovascular doctor can help you find and select a local rehabilitation center that will get you on the path toward heart-healthy living.

Cardiac rehabilitation in San Diego

Bella Vista Health Center offers cardiac rehabilitation programs in San Diego that are focused on helping patients regain their independence and live healthier lives at home. Our customized programs and team of compassionate medical professionals are committed to helping you meet your recovery goals. For more information about cardiac rehabilitation or to schedule a tour of our 5-Star Skilled Nursing Facility, call Bella Vista Health Center at (619) 644-1000.