A “swing-bed” is a change in reimbursement status. The patient swings from receiving acute-care services and reimbursement to receiving skilled nursing (SNF) services and reimbursement.
The change in status from acute care to swing-bed status can occur within the same part of the hospital or the patient can be moved to another part of the hospital for swing-bed admission.
Likewise, a patient may be discharged from one hospital and admitted in swing bed status to another hospital that has swing bed approval.
In order to qualify for Swing Bed Services, a patient must meet the following requirements:
- Be covered by Medicare Part A
- Have had 3 overnights in an acute care bed prior to Swing Bed services
- Have an ongoing diagnosis and needs that require skilled care as defined by Medicare
- Some private insurance plans cover Swing-bed services.
Two of the most common reasons that we admit patients to Swing-bed are for strengthening after an illness or orthopedic surgery. We also admit patients to Swing-bed that required extended antibiotic therapy.
The following services are provided as needed to patients admitted to the “Swing Bed” Program of this hospital:
- 24 hour skilled nursing care
- Dietary Services
- Recreation Therapy (Patient Activities)
- Social Services
- Discharge Planning
- Physical Therapy
- Respiratory Therapy
- Pharmacy
- Laboratory
- Radiology
- Dental Services
- Occupational Therapy (when available)
Questions or Comments?
If you have any questions or comments, please contact, Swing Bed Coordiantor at (940) 521-5420.