Don't confuse rehab with respite. Not the same thing. 3 days in hospital required by Medicare before Medicare will pay for up to 20 days in Rehab. No guarantee of the entire 20 days. Depends on participation etc. PLUS patients needing rehab usually also need an advocate. Not much respite going on there.
Medicare typically won't cover a Respite stay in a nursing home, unless the person has had a 3 day qualifying stay in a hospital AND meets Medicare criteria for admission. If the person has Medicaid, they pay up to, I believe 30 days per year.
Pennsylvania pays for 14 days of respite care annually for my mother. I was able to use it to go on a much needed vacation. It was arranged by her adult day care sws with a nearby nursing home.
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-and-respite-care.html
As Pam had mentioned above, one would need to be on Hospice Care to receive short-term Respite Care.
PLUS patients needing rehab usually also need an advocate. Not much respite going on there.
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