Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) Practice Exam

The coverage of a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) under Medicare Part A hinges on specific eligibility criteria. Medicare Part A provides coverage for skilled nursing care when it follows a qualifying hospital stay of at least three consecutive days. After the hospital stay, if a patient requires skilled nursing services for rehabilitation or recovery, Medicare Part A covers this care, provided it meets medical necessity criteria. To qualify for this coverage, the patient must also require skilled nursing or rehab care, and that care must be provided in a Medicare-certified facility. Additionally, coverage may be limited to a certain number of days, based on the patient's progress and the necessity of care. Options that mention restrictions such as 'only for short-term stays' or 'only with prior approval' do not accurately represent the broader criteria established for coverage, while indicating that it is treated as long-term care overlooks the necessary hospitalization requirement and skilled care context stipulated by Medicare guidelines. Thus, the clarification that coverage is contingent upon meeting specific conditions underscores why the correct choice highlights these criteria.