A nursing home — formally called a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) in Medicare and Medicaid terminology — provides the highest level of care available outside a hospital. SNFs are licensed to deliver 24-hour skilled nursing services including wound care, IV therapy, physical rehabilitation, respiratory care, and complex medication management.
In Colorado, SNFs are licensed by CDPHE under state regulations and are additionally certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Most Denver-metro SNFs accept both Medicare (for short-term rehabilitation after a qualifying hospital stay) and Health First Colorado Medicaid (for long-term custodial care for eligible residents).
SNFs serve two distinct populations:
Short-term rehabilitation: After a qualifying hospital stay of 3+ nights, Medicare covers SNF care for up to 100 days (Days 1–20 at 100%; Days 21–100 with a daily copay around $200). Most patients are discharged home or to an ALR after 20–45 days.
Long-term custodial care: For individuals who cannot safely return home or to an ALR due to complex medical needs, SNFs provide permanent placement. Medicare does NOT cover long-term custodial care. It must be paid privately or covered by Colorado Medicaid (HCBS-EBD or standard Medicaid) for eligible individuals.
Private-pay SNF rates in the Denver metro in 2026:
| Room Type | Monthly Range |
|---|---|
| Semi-private (shared) room | $7,500 – $9,500 |
| Private room | $9,000 – $12,500+ |
These rates cover room and board, all meals, nursing care, and most clinical services. Specialty units (ventilator care, dialysis support, behavioral health) run significantly higher.
Colorado Medicaid pays SNFs at a regulated rate, typically $7,500–$9,000/month depending on the facility's case mix. Medicaid residents pay all income (minus the ~$90/month Personal Needs Allowance) toward the cost. Medicaid covers the remainder up to the Medicaid rate.
CMS publishes a 1–5 star rating for every Medicare/Medicaid-certified SNF at medicare.gov/care-compare. The overall rating is a composite of:
A 4–5 star overall rating is a positive indicator, but dig into the domains. Some facilities score high on staffing but have poor inspection records, or vice versa. The inspection report itself — downloadable from medicare.gov/care-compare — shows the exact deficiencies found.
To verify a Denver-area SNF's license and inspect its history:
When touring a Denver SNF, ask:
Finding the right SNF in Denver — whether for short-term rehab or long-term care — is one of the most consequential decisions a family makes. Our free advisory service identifies facilities with strong CMS ratings, available Medicaid beds, and a solid CDPHE inspection record.
Call us at (833) 408-3968 or use the matching tool on this page. There is no fee for families.
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