Resources and Helpful Information
Looking at skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities
Steps to researching nursing facility ratings -
- Click on Providers and Services in the top right hand corner of the Medicare.gov website.
- Click on Nursing homes including rehab services on the list on the left hand side of the page and then enter zip code and/or facility name in the available fields.
- The site will pull up a list and map of facilities than you can narrow down by star rating.
Link to additional resource information on Medicare.gov
www.medicare.gov/care-compare/resources/resources-and-information
Basic definitions of health plan abbreviations
Traditional Medicare - Medicare coverage is managed by Medicare not a Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare Advantage - A health insurance that is contracted with CMS to provide Medicare services to people that sign up with them. When enrolling in this type of plan the health insurance company takes over managing your Medicare benefits and you will have to keep within their network of providers.
HMO - You must go through your primary care provider for all referrals to specialists.
PPO - You can go to specialists within your network without going to your primary provider first for a referral.
MAPD - a Medicare plan that is provided by a Medicare Advantage company that varies in it's coverage and the percentage out of pocket may differ between plan. Doesn't typically have additional Medicare Advantage benefits.
SNP - Special Needs Plans are provided by Medicare Advantage plans and usually have specific qualifying criteria such has having to have both Medicare and Medicaid plans or specific diseases like diabetes or heart disease. These plans often have additional benefits to the normal Medicare coverage.
Medicaid - state coverage to low income individuals meeting specific qualifying criteria.
ALTCS - Arizona Long Term Care - long term care coverage provided by the state for low income individuals meeting specific care needs and financial criteria.