Swing bed services are available for patients unable to care for themselves at home. Swing Bed Services Swing bed care is designed to help patients transition from acute care hospital settings to their own homes or other care settings by helping them reach their highest levels of physical and mental health. Medicare Requirements In order for Medicare to pay for swing bed care, Medicare patients must have received acute care in a hospital setting for at least three days and require one or more skilled service performed in a hospital or rehabilitation setting by a licensed nurse or therapist. Examples of skilled services include: IV therapy Physical therapy Occupational therapy Respiratory therapy (other than oxygen) Speech therapy Extensive wound care Extensive educational needs such as new colostomy or diabetic education Daily monitoring of labs, corresponding with medication treatment Other extensive treatments (as approved by Medicare representative) Patients must show improvement or potential for rehabilitation. When patients reach their highest potential for rehabilitation or no longer show improvement, therapists must discharge them from their service. Non-Medicare Patients Swing bed services are available for patients unable to care for themselves at home, even if they don't meet requirements for payment by Medicare. Patients can save money by bringing their own medications with them, which will be administered by the nursing staff.