Patients receiving care in a skilled bed for one condition may also be eligible to receive care under the Medicare Hospice Benefit for another, unrelated terminal condition.

A patient may be receiving care in a skilled Medicare bed for a hip fracture and, at the same time, have a severe end-stage cardiac condition. In this instance, the patient can receive skilled care for the orthopedic condition under the Medicare Part A Benefit and also receive care under the Medicare Hospice Benefit. If the patient is able to return home when the Skilled Benefit ends, the patient may also qualify for Home Health Care and Hospice under Medicare.

Each situation is discussed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that all applicable criteria are met.