Skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) have the staff and equipment to provide skilled nursing, medical management and therapy services to individuals, on a 24-hour basis, who do not require high-intensity services provided in the hospital setting.

Some individuals are admitted to SNFs on a transitional basis for care following acute hospitalization for illness or injury. Others may require the specialized medical supervision of a SNF on a long-term basis due to chronic illness or disability. In addition, SNFs provide a valuable discharge option that helps acute-care hospitals control patient length of stay and related costs.

Many SNFs are freestanding facilities, while others exist as distinct parts of an acute-care hospital or hospital system. Distinct-part SNFs, compared to freestanding community-based SNFs, care for more medically complex patients, and are often the only option for patients with complex medical needs and behavioral challenges living in rural areas.

CHA’s Hospital Services for Continuing Care represents hospital-sponsored, distinct-part and freestanding nursing facilities, and advocates for these facilities on legislative and regulatory issues.