1. Level of medical care for certain chronically ill or disabled individuals in which room and board are provided but skilled nursing care is not. Intermediate care is provided in a step-down unit that is also called an intermediate care unit . 2. Short-term care provided by many long-term facilities that may include rehabilitation services and care for certain conditions (stroke and diabetes) or postsurgical care. The goal is to discharge the patient to his or her home or to a lower level of care. Sometimes called postacute care, subacute care , or transitional care .
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A level of care associated with a skilled nursing facility which provides nursing care under the supervision of physicians or a registered nurse. The care provided is a step down from the degree of care described as skilled nursing care.