• Age 65 or older and receiving social security retirement benefits,
• Under age 65 with certain disabilities and have received social security disability benefits for 24 months,
• Or be any age but diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease

Talk to a social worker at your hospital or visit www.medicare.gov for more information on eligibility requirements and to find out what services Medicare covers for skilled nursing facility stays. Medicaid is a federally-supported, state-operated health care assistance program that pays for health care services.

Who is eligible?

• Certain individuals or families with substantially low incomes, who may have no medical insurance or inadequate medical insurance.
• Generally, eligibility is based on extreme financial need and medical necessity.

Speak to a social worker at the hospital or visit www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/eligibility to learn more about eligibility and the criteria specific to each. Because each state operates its own Medicaid program, eligibility requirements and coverage may vary from state to state.

Also, to find Medicare and Medicaid-certified skilled nursing facilities, go to www.medicare.gov/nhcompare.

• First and foremost, bring all insurance and/or Medicare/Medicaid cards.
• Provide any and all insurance coverage cards to the admissions representative at the facility.
• Also, make sure to have drivers license and social security cards with you as they may be needed to complete the admission process.

Also, bring items that will make your stay more restful and easier on you, such as:

• Comfortable clothing, with your name clearly written on the label. Bring enough clothing for at least 7-10 days.
• A pair of non-skid, supportive shoes and socks
• Pajamas/robe
• Toothbrush/toothpaste, denture cups
• Comb, brush, personal lotions, deodorant and other essential toiletries
• Hearing aide, eyeglasses and eyeglass case
• Reading materials, family photos
• Radio

• Look for some of the following signs to guide you as to whether you or a loved one needs help:
• Requiring daily assistance with eating, dressing, bathing or using the toilet.
• Forgetting to take medications or perhaps taking too many
• Behaving in ways that could be harmful (to yourself or to others)
• Wandering away from home or frequent signs of memory loss

If you find you or a family member need help, here are some options, one of which may suit your specific situation:

• Find the right skilled nursing facility if you or a loved one has suffered an illness or injury and requires rehabilitation and continuous medical care, whether for the short or long-term. And, keep in mind that unfortunately there may be certain medical conditions that cause continued decline, regardless of the clinical solutions available.
• Move into an assisted living community which offers assistance in the areas of housekeeping services, provision of meals and personal care.
• Continue to live at home after recovering from an injury or illness, but bring in additional assistance such as home care professionals and/or utilize community services (Meals on Wheels, for instance).