What is the 60 rule for inpatient rehab?

Asked by: Thalia Goyette  |  Last update: July 27, 2025
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Specifically, to be classified for payment under Medicare's IRF prospective payment system, at least 60 percent of a facility's total inpatient population must require IRF treatment for one or more of 13 conditions listed in 42 CFR 412.29(b)(2).

What are the 13 conditions for the 60% rule?

Sixty percent of patients admitted to the unit must have 1 of 13 conditions: stroke, spinal cord injury, congenital deformity, amputation, major multiple trauma, fracture of the hip, brain injury, burns, active polyarthritis, systemic vasculitis with joint involvement, specified neurologic conditions, severe or ...

What is the Medicare 60% rule?

The 60% Rule is a Medicare facility criterion that requires each IRF to discharge at least 60 percent of its patients with one of 13 qualifying conditions.

How many days does Medicare allow you to stay in rehab?

As mentioned, the first 20 days in the rehab facility are covered in full by Medicare. Some Medigap/Supplemental co-insurance policies will cover all or part of the $204 daily co-pay for days 21-100. But patients do not always qualify for the full 100 days of rehabilitation.

What are the criteria for inpatient stay?

An inpatient admission is generally appropriate when you're expected to need 2 or more midnights of medically necessary hospital care. But, your doctor must order such admission and the hospital must formally admit you in order for you to become an inpatient.

What Qualifies a Patient for Inpatient Rehab?

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How do you qualify for inpatient rehab?

To qualify for care in an inpatient rehabilitation facility, your doctor must state that your medical condition requires the following:
  1. Intensive rehabilitation.
  2. Continued medical supervision.
  3. Coordinated care from your doctors and therapists working together.

How many hours is considered inpatient stay?

Inpatient services defined

Physicians are recommended to use a 24-hour period as a benchmark when making a determination on an inpatient admission. However, admissions are not deemed covered, or non-covered, solely on the basis of the length of time the patient actually spends in the hospital.

Does Medicare pay 100% for rehab?

Medicare Part A

Covers inpatient rehab treatment in a hospital. Treatment for conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, and amputations. Medicare covers 100% of the costs for the first 60 days of inpatient rehab treatment. After 60 days, the patient pays a daily coinsurance amount.

What is the 3 hour rule for inpatient rehab?

Generally, the therapy intensity requirement is met with 3 hours per day 5 days per week or 15 hours per week. The patient must receive a minimum of 15 hours per week of therapy services, unless documentation supports medical issues justifying a brief exception not to exceed three consecutive days.

How many inpatient days does Medicare cover?

Original Medicare covers up to 90 days of inpatient hospital care each benefit period. You also have an additional 60 days of coverage, called lifetime reserve days.

What is the average stay in inpatient rehab?

Length of stay

On average, patients spend 12 to 14 days on our rehabilitation unit, which is consistent with the national average of 13 days (eRehabData, 2021-2022).

How many days will Medicare pay 100% of the covered costs of care in a skilled nursing care facility?

You pay nothing for covered services the first 20 days that you're in a skilled nursing facility (SNF). You pay a daily coinsurance for days 21-100, and you pay all costs beyond 100 days. Visit Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get current amounts.

What is the 7 month rule for Medicare?

It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. My birthday is on the first of the month. If you miss your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage.

How long are patients in inpatient rehab?

Some inpatient stays are considered short-term rehab and can last from 28 to 30 days, while others are considered long-term rehab and last for 60 days to 90 days or longer, depending on the person's level of need, treatment goals, and the program's structure.

What are the grounds for Rule 60?

A: Rule 60 allows a movant to make the following claims within one year of the judgment: (1) mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect; (2) newly discovered evidence that, with reasonable diligence, could not have been discovered in time to move for a new trial under Rule 59; or (3) fraud, misrepresentation ...

Does Medicaid cover rehab after a hospital stay?

The short answer is yes, Medicaid covers drug and alcohol rehab services. In fact, all health insurance companies provided by government entities or via the health care marketplaces are required to provide coverage for behavioral health services.

How long does Medicare pay for inpatient rehab?

Medicare Part A

This covers care in a rehab unit in a hospital. It may pay for similar care in a skilled nursing facility like Brook Stone in certain cases. If you've been in the hospital for three days, Medicare will pay for up to 100 days of inpatient rehab per benefit period.

What is the 8 minute rule for rehab?

What is the 8-Minute Rule? To receive payment from Medicare for a time-based CPT code, a therapist must provide direct treatment for at least eight minutes. Providers must add the total minutes of skilled, one-on-one therapy and divide by 15. If eight or more minutes remain, you can bill one more unit.

What is the midnight rule for inpatient patients?

The Two-Midnight Rule establishes when an inpatient admission is necessary and payable under Medicare Part A. It generally applies to cases where a hospital stay crossing two midnights is expected, based on the admitting practitioner's judgment and medical record support.

How much does inpatient physical rehab cost?

Cost Breakdown of Inpatient Physical Rehab

30-Day Stay: Total costs range from $6,000 to $30,000, depending on the facility and patient needs. Additional Fees: Specialized services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and equipment rentals can add several thousand dollars to the bill.

How many rehab sessions does Medicare cover?

There's no limit on how much Medicare pays for your medically necessary outpatient physical therapy services in one calendar year.

What happens when Medicare hospital days run out?

If your Medicare benefits run out but you still need care, lifetime reserve days can help. Lifetime reserve days provide 60 days of additional coverage under Medicare Part A but can only be used once during your life.

How much does Medicare pay for an inpatient hospital stay?

Days 1–60: (of each benefit period): $0 after you meet your Part A deductible ($1,676). Days 61–90: (of each benefit period): $419 each day. In Original Medicare, these are additional days that Medicare will pay for when you're in a hospital for more than 90 days.

What is the 3 midnight rule for acute rehab?

This stipulated that for Medicare to cover services provided in a skilled nursing facility (SNF), the patient required at least three, consecutive midnights of inpatient care in an acute hospital setting.

How long is inpatient usually?

An average stay in an inpatient treatment program is between 30-90 days. However, the length of inpatient treatment depends on several factors, including the severity of a person's substance use disorder (SUD), the location and costs of the treatment facility, and a person's work and family commitments.