'Skilled nursing facility' (SNF) and 'nursing home' are closely related terms for facilities that provide skilled nursing care. This is a general, neutral overview — CMS is the authoritative source.
✓'Nursing home' and 'skilled nursing facility' are commonly used interchangeably.
✓CMS certifies and rates these facilities on Care Compare.
What the term means
A skilled nursing facility provides round-the-clock skilled nursing care — care that must be delivered or supervised by licensed nurses — along with related services. In everyday use, 'nursing home' and 'skilled nursing facility' are often used to describe the same certified facilities, though the exact term can carry specific meaning in a coverage context.
How it relates to CMS data
The facilities summarized on this site are CMS-certified nursing homes, drawn from the official CMS Provider Information file. CMS reports the same categories of data — ratings, inspections, staffing, and quality measures — for these facilities.
Where to learn more
For the authoritative definition and for coverage-specific meanings of the term, consult the official Medicare and CMS sources. This site does not determine coverage.
Frequently asked questions
What is a skilled nursing facility?▾
A facility that provides 24-hour skilled nursing care delivered or supervised by licensed nurses, along with related services. CMS certifies and rates these facilities.
Is a skilled nursing facility the same as a nursing home?▾
In everyday use the terms are often used interchangeably for the same certified facilities, though the exact term can carry a specific meaning in a coverage context. See the official Medicare sources for coverage definitions.
Where can I see ratings for skilled nursing facilities?▾
On the official CMS Care Compare site, and summarized from CMS records on this site's facility pages.
Verify with official sources
SeniorCareRating.com organizes public CMS data and is not affiliated with CMS or any facility. Confirm current details on the official CMS Care Compare site and with the facility before making decisions.
SeniorCareRating.com summarizes public CMS data. It is not affiliated with CMS, Medicare.gov, or any nursing home. Data may lag current conditions. This is not medical, legal, or care-placement advice — always verify with official sources and qualified professionals.
