Long-term care can be one of the most confusing—and expensive—parts of aging. Whether you’re caring for a loved one or planning for yourself, one big question always comes up:
Does Medicare cover long-term care?
The short answer: Partially.
Medicare does not cover most long-term custodial care (like help with bathing or dressing), but it does cover skilled care and short-term rehabilitation under specific conditions.
Let’s break it down so you can plan ahead confidently.
What’s Inside
- What Is Long-Term Care?
- What Medicare Does Cover
- What Medicare Does Not Cover
- Planning Ahead: What Should You Do?
- Summary: What Medicare Covers vs Doesn’t
- Final Thoughts
- Call Now for a Free Consultation
What Is Long-Term Care?
Long-term care helps people with chronic illnesses or disabilities who can no longer manage everyday tasks independently. It includes:
- Help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): bathing, dressing, eating, toileting
- Home health care or aides
- Assisted living or nursing home care
- Adult day care or respite care for caregivers
What Medicare Does Cover
1. Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Care
Medicare Part A covers short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility after a hospital stay of at least 3 days.
| Days | What You Pay (2025) |
| Days 1–20 | $0 per day |
| Days 21–100 | $204 per day |
| After Day 100 | You pay all costs |
🔍 Must be for skilled care, like physical therapy or IV medication—not just custodial care.
➡️ Read: What’s Covered in a Skilled Nursing Facility (Medicare.gov)
2. Home Health Care
If you’re homebound and need skilled services:
- Covered 100% by Part A or B, depending on situation
- Includes nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language services, and part-time home health aides
But: Custodial care (help with bathing, toileting, dressing) is not covered unless part of skilled care.
➡️ Learn more: Medicare & Home Health Care (Medicare.gov)
3. Hospice Care
If you have a terminal illness with a life expectancy under 6 months:
- Covered in full by Part A
- Includes palliative care, nursing, grief support, and respite care
- Delivered at home, in a facility, or hospice center
➡️ Learn more: Medicare Hospice Benefits
What Medicare Does Not Cover
| Not Covered by Medicare | Examples |
| Custodial care only | Help with eating, bathing, dressing |
| Assisted living | Room, board, daily support |
| Long-term nursing home stays | If no skilled care involved |
| 24/7 in-home care | Unless it’s intermittent & skilled |
If you or a loved one needs ongoing long-term care, you’ll need to explore other options:
- Medicaid (if income/assets qualify)
- Long-term care insurance
- Private pay or family caregiving
Planning Ahead: What Should You Do?
✅ Steps You Can Take:
- Understand the difference between skilled and custodial care.
- Talk to your doctor and discharge planner when leaving a hospital.
- Compare SNFs and home care agencies on Care Compare
- Look into Medicaid planning early if needed.
- Explore long-term care insurance before you need it.
💡 Tip: You can’t rely on Medicare to fund assisted living or nursing home care. But it’s critical for transitional care after hospitalizations.
Summary: What Medicare Covers vs Doesn’t
| Covered by Medicare | Not Covered by Medicare |
| Short-term SNF (after 3-day hospital stay) | Long-term nursing home stay |
| Skilled home health care | Custodial care at home |
| Hospice and palliative care | Assisted living or memory care |
| Intermittent in-home skilled services | 24/7 home care |
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Final Thoughts
Medicare plays a key role in short-term recovery and end-of-life support—but it’s not a long-term care solution. If you or a loved one is aging or managing a chronic condition, understanding what’s covered (and what’s not) can help avoid surprises later.
Take time now to review options like Medicaid, veterans’ programs, or private LTC insurance to fill the gap.
Call Now for a Free Consultation
If you’re unsure whether you qualify or how to get started, we’re here to help. We’ll walk you through the process, explain your options.
📞 Call us today at 646-444-2020
🌐 Or visit www.securesafer.com to book your free consultation.
Let Secure Safer be your trusted partner in affordable healthcare—because peace of mind shouldn’t come with a price tag.
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