Nursing Facilities are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to provide skilled care services, rehabilitative services or other health services to individuals who do not require the care and treatment of an acute-care hospital.  Persons appropriate for these types of services are those who may require extensive personal care, some medical care, 24-hour monitoring, supervision by professionally licensed nursing staff, or daily treatment that can be administered only by a licensed professional (i.e. registered nurses, medical doctors, or therapists).  In addition, many nursing facility residents have chronic illnesses or were transferred from a hospital following an accident, illness, or operation.

Medicare coverage of a skilled nursing facility includes a semi-private room, meals, skilled nursing and rehabilitative services, and other services and supplies (only after a 3-day minimum inpatient hospital stay for a related illness or injury).  To qualify for Medicare coverage of a skilled nursing facility, your doctor must certify that you need daily skilled care like intravenous injections or physical therapy.  Medicare does not cover long-term care or custodial care in this setting.

Some nursing facilities accept Medical Assistance (MA) on behalf of lower income individuals.  MA is a joint federal and state government program for those with limited income and assets who need nursing care.  To apply for MA, an assessment must initially be conducted by the Lancaster County Office of Aging.