March 13, 2020 (amidst the "Corona Virus" pandemic)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is waiving the requirement that Medicare beneficiaries must spend at least three days in a hospital before qualifying for coverage in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) for those beneficiaries who need to be transferred as a result of a disaster or emergency. 

In addition, CMS states that “for certain beneficiaries who recently exhausted their SNF benefits,” SNF coverage will be renewed without first having to start a new benefit period.  

For CMS's “COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Health Care Providers Fact Sheet,” click here.