A skilled nursing facility is a nursing home certified by Medicare to provide skilled nursing care and therapy. Many patients come for a short stay to recover after a hospital stay. Some nursing homes also care for long-term residents.
Medicare rates nursing homes from 1 to 5 stars. The overall rating combines health inspections, staffing, and quality measures.
What CMS data can help you compare
The overall star rating and the inspection, staffing, and quality ratings behind it.
Whether Medicare shows an abuse icon or lists the home as a Special Focus Facility.
Nurse staffing hours per resident per day.
Whether the home is Medicaid-certified, if you may need Medicaid later.
Medicare can cover this type of care when its conditions are met. What is covered depends on your situation and plan. A hospital discharge planner, your plan, or Medicare.gov can tell you what applies.
Source: U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, data as of September 30, 2026.