Medicare Rehab Coverage: How Many Days Are Included & What’s Covered?

Medicare does cover rehab, but the number of days is limited — and varies depending on the type of care. Whether you or a loved one is recovering from a stroke, surgery, or injury, understanding Medicare’s rehab coverage is crucial.

What Is Medicare Rehab Coverage?

Medicare rehab coverage includes services that help patients recover from surgeries, illnesses, injuries, or chronic conditions. These services are offered in:

• Inpatient rehab hospitals
• Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
• Outpatient therapy clinics
• Home health care (for limited rehab needs)

Medicare covers physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and other medically necessary rehab services.

Which Medicare Parts Cover Rehab?

Medicare Part	Covers	Rehab Type
Part A	Hospital insurance	Inpatient rehab, SNF
Part B	Medical insurance	Outpatient rehab, some home health services
Part C (Medicare Advantage)	Private insurance alternative to Original Medicare	All services from Part A and B, often with extra benefits
Part D	Prescription drug coverage	Medications during or after rehab

How Many Days Does Medicare Cover Inpatient Rehab?

If you’re admitted to an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF), Medicare Part A will cover your stay up to 90 days per benefit period — with a few catches.

Breakdown of Inpatient Rehab Coverage:

Days	What You Pay (2025)	Notes
Days 1–60	$0 (after deductible)	Covered in full after $1,632 deductible per benefit period
Days 61–90	$408 per day	Daily coinsurance applies
Days 91–100	$816 per day	You use your 60 lifetime reserve days
Day 101+	All costs	Medicare no longer pays

According to Medicare.gov, these numbers reset each benefit period, which begins the day you’re admitted and ends after 60 days without inpatient care.

How Many Days Does Medicare Cover Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)?

A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) provides short-term rehab after a hospital stay. This is not long-term care.

Eligibility Criteria:

You must have:

• A qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay
• A doctor’s certification that you need skilled care
• Received care at a Medicare-certified SNF

Medicare SNF Coverage:

Days	What You Pay	Notes
Days 1–20	$0	Fully covered
Days 21–100	$204 per day (2025)	Coinsurance applies
Day 101+	All costs	Medicare stops paying

Learn More: Cherries for Diabetics

How Many Days Does Medicare Cover Outpatient Rehab?

Outpatient rehab falls under Medicare Part B. There’s no “day limit,” but there are limits on how much Medicare will cover each year based on medical necessity.

What’s Covered:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy

Cost Breakdown:

• You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting the Part B deductible ($240 in 2025).
• There’s no fixed number of sessions or days — Medicare covers as long as your doctor certifies it’s medically necessary.

The old therapy caps were repealed in 2018, so you’re no longer limited to a certain dollar amount.

Medicare Advantage Rehab Coverage

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans must offer the same inpatient/outpatient rehab coverage as Original Medicare — and often more.

Some plans include:

• Lower out-of-pocket limits
• Extended SNF days beyond 100
• Additional wellness programs or transportation

However:

• Rules vary by plan
• You must use in-network facilities
• Prior authorization may be required

Always check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage (EOC) to confirm the specifics.

Costs After Medicare Rehab Coverage Runs Out

When Medicare stops paying, costs can skyrocket. Here’s what you might expect:

Scenario	Cost
SNF care after 100 days	~$7,500/month (national average)
Inpatient rehab beyond 90 days	$1,000–$2,000/day
Outpatient therapy (uncovered)	$150–$350/session

Long-term care insurance, Medicaid, or private pay may be needed beyond Medicare’s limits.

Common Rehab Scenarios

Post-Surgery Rehab (e.g., Hip Replacement)

• Covered under SNF or IRF, depending on severity
• Average stay: 10–20 days SNF, 2–3 weeks IRF
• Medicare pays full for 20 days SNF or 60 days IRF

Stroke Recovery

• Often requires intensive rehab in IRF
• Covered for 60–90 days under Part A
• Outpatient speech and PT can continue under Part B

Injury (e.g., Fall or Fracture)

• SNF stay for mobility rehab
• Medicare covers up to 100 days SNF if qualified

What to Do When Coverage Ends?

When rehab coverage ends, you’ve got options:

1. File an appeal: If denied, ask for a fast appeal.
2. Request an extension: With doctor’s documentation.
3. Use supplemental insurance (Medigap): May cover costs Medicare doesn’t.
4. Switch to Medicaid: If you qualify financially.
5. Pay privately: Using savings, annuities, or LTC policies.

Final Thoughts

Medicare offers robust rehab coverage — but only for a limited number of days. Whether it’s an inpatient rehab facility, skilled nursing care, or outpatient therapy, the key is understanding the rules so you don’t get caught off guard.

• Inpatient rehab: 90 days + 60 lifetime reserve days
• SNF: 100 days per benefit period
• Outpatient rehab: No day limit, but medical necessity required
• Costs after coverage ends: Can be high — plan ahead!

Don’t wait until a crisis hits. Review your Medicare plan today, understand the coverage, and speak with a Medicare advisor if needed.

FAQs