A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide that where an individual is an inpatient of a skilled nursing facility, his absence from such facility for a short period with the approval of his physician shall not (in and of itself) be considered as indicating a lack of need for the services being furnished him or as terminating his right to have payments made under the medicare program for such services.

Provides that, under the Medicare provisions of the Social Security Act, where an individual is an inpatient of a skilled nursing facility, his absence from such facility for a short period with the approval of his physician shall not (in and of itself) be considered as indicating a lack of need for the services being furnished him or as terminating his right to have payments made under the medicare program for such services.