Does Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah Cover Skilled Nursing Facilities?
Regence Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Utah’s skilled nursing facility insurance generally covers more than half of the costs of skilled nursing care. It’s essential to understand your insurance coverage for skilled nursing.
What Is Skilled Nursing Facility Care?
According to Medicare.gov, skilled nursing facility care is care that is performed by or under the supervision of medical professionals to treat, maintain, and evaluate a patient’s medical condition.
Skilled nursing facilities often provide the following:
- Private or shared room
- Meals
- Rehabilitation services such as physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy
- Medications
- Cost of medical equipment and supplies used at the facility
- Counseling for your diet
- Ambulance services if your condition is in danger of worsening without quick transportation
Skilled Nursing Care vs Long-Term Care
Skilled nursing care is recommended for individuals as they’re recovering from an illness, injury, or major surgery. In most cases, it’s meant to be temporary care for patients who are well enough to leave the hospital but still require medical care to regain independence.
Long-term care, according to the National Institute on Aging, can refer to various living facilities, such as assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and care homes that may or may not have access to skilled nursing services, and are generally a more permanent situation.
Regence BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) of Utah and Skilled Nursing Coverage
According to the 2025 Booklet for Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah Medical Benefits, Regence BCBS Utah covers 60 days at a skilled nursing facility per calendar year. Coverage is generally 65% for network providers and 50% for out-of-network providers.
What Services Does This Coverage Include?
- Skilled nursing supplies and services
- A semi-private room
- 30 days of inpatient rehabilitation services
- Infusion therapy
- Wound care supplies
What Isn’t Covered?
- Medications that are dispensed at the facility
- Meals
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is generally limited to employees whose workplace (or former workplace in the instance of retirement) offers group plans under Regence BCBS, and for dependents of the employee with documentation of eligibility.
Long-Term Care Insurance and Medicare Coverage
If you have long-term care insurance and were in an accident that led to you requiring skilled nursing services, you may also be eligible for up to $500,000 of benefits. See your individual plan(s) for details.
What Role Does Medicare Take in Covering Skilled Nursing Care?
Per Medicare.gov, Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) fully covers the first 20 days of a stay at a skilled nursing facility if:
- You have a qualifying inpatient hospital stay (A medically necessary hospital stay of three or more consecutive days).
- You enter the skilled nursing facility (SNF) within 30 days of leaving the hospital.
- Your doctor has deemed a stay at an SNF medically necessary.
- You receive skilled nursing care from a Medicare-certified SNF.
- You require SNF services for an ongoing condition you received treatment for at the hospital — even if it wasn’t the initial reason you were hospitalized — or you acquired a new condition while receiving SNF care.
- You require skilled nursing to maintain, cure, or delay progression of a medical condition.
After 20 days, there will be a co-pay of $209.50 per day for up to 80 more days (Coverage stops after 100 days). If your healthcare plan is considered a secondary payer, you may need to enroll in Medicare Part B to receive “coordinated benefits.”
Medicare vs Regence BCBS
Medicare is federally funded health insurance that’s offered to those 65 and older who have paid into Medicare taxes and/or are the spouse of someone who has paid into Medicare taxes.
Regence BCBS is a private insurance company that generally provides insurance through workplaces. In certain cases, there can be an overlap where you can receive Medicare supplemental insurance through Regence BCBS for specific health conditions.
Accessing Skilled Nursing Care in Utah
In Utah, you can find assistance with finding skilled nursing care. To ensure that a facility accepts Regence BCBS, you must always discuss financing with the financial offices at any skilled nursing facility you visit.
Other tips include:
- Evaluate your plan or call customer service to enquire which facilities are within your network.
- Ensure every facility you tour is Medicare-certified so there are no issues if you require supplemental insurance.
- Try Regence and Medicare’s websites to search for and compare facilities.
Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah covers up to 65% of the costs of care in a skilled nursing facility. Patients should review their individual insurance plans meticulously to learn more about their skilled nursing facility insurance and consult with their providers to learn their options for personalized care.
Sources:
How Medicare works with other insurance. (n.d.).
Long-Term Care Facilities: Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, and Other Residential Care. (2023).
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah Medical Benefits. (2025).
Skilled nursing facility care. (n.d.).
Who’s eligible for Medicare? (2022).