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Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) provide the highest level of residential care outside of a hospital. They are staffed around the clock by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants, and physicians typically visit on a regular schedule. SNFs serve two distinct populations: short-stay residents recovering from surgery, stroke, or a serious illness (often covered by Medicare Part A for up to 100 days after a qualifying hospital stay), and long-stay residents who require ongoing medical supervision or personal care they cannot receive elsewhere. CMS rates every Medicare- and Medicaid-certified SNF on a 1–5 star scale based on health inspection results, staffing levels, and clinical quality measures — this rating is the single most useful benchmark for comparing facilities. CMS data is publicly available at Medicare.gov/care-compare.