What is a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) primarily defined as?

A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) is primarily defined as a nursing home that is certified for Medicaid, which reflects its compliance with specific federal and state regulations to provide skilled nursing care and rehabilitative services. These facilities are equipped to offer medically necessary care and support for patients recovering from surgery, illness, or injury who may need intensive nursing care for a limited period.

The SNF setting is distinct because it is specifically designed to provide skilled nursing services 24 hours a day, under the supervision of licensed nursing staff. This differentiates it from other types of facilities that may not provide the same level of medical care or have different focus areas, such as acute hospitals or independent living communities.

While short-term rehabilitation may take place in an SNF, this characteristic alone does not define it, as SNFs can also accommodate long-term residents and patients requiring ongoing care. Being a facility for independent living indicates a setting without medical supervision or skilled care, which is contrary to the SNF's purpose of providing skilled nursing services. Similarly, while a hospital providing acute care focuses on treating severe medical conditions with immediate intervention, it does not fall under the SNF category, which is tailored for recovery and ongoing rehabilitation rather than acute medical care.

Thus,