En español | No, Medicare does not cover any type of long-term care, whether in nursing homes, assisted living communities or your own home. Show
Medicare does cover medical services in these settings. But it does not pay for a stay in a long-term care center or the cost of custodial care — help with the activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating and using the bathroom — if that is the only care you need. Does Medicare cover short-term stays for skilled nursing?Yes, Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient hospital services, will pay for short-term stays in a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility (SNF) in some situations. Your doctor may send you to there to receive specialized nursing care and rehabilitation after a hospital stay. Care in a skilled nursing facility is covered only if you had a qualifying hospital stay, meaning that you were formally admitted as an inpatient to the hospital for at least three consecutive days. This is different from observation status, which doesn’t count even if you stayed in the hospital overnight. When you enter the hospital, ask if you are being officially admitted or if you are there only for observation. That will be important in determining the beginning of your benefit period, which begins the day you are admitted to a hospital as an inpatient or become a patient in a skilled nursing facility , and ends when you’ve been out of those places for 60 days in a row. These rules also mean you might have more than one benefit period in a year. You must be admitted to a skilled nursing facility within 30 days of leaving the hospital for the same illness or a condition related to it. Your doctor also must certify that you need daily skilled care from, or under the supervision of, skilled nursing or therapy staff. What skilled nursing facility costs does Medicare cover?Medicare can cover many of the services you receive in a skilled nursing facility, such as:
How much do I pay if I’m in a skilled nursing facility?The portion of the costs that you pay depends on the duration of your eligible stay in a skilled nursing facility. You’ll have the following copayments for each benefit period:
A Medicare supplemental policy, better known as Medigap; retiree coverage; or other insurance may cover the copay for days 21 to 100 or add more coverage. Keep in mindMedicare doesn’t pay for the considerable cost of long-term care in a nursing home or other facility. But you may have other options to help cover long-term care costs. Private pay. Many individuals and families pay out of pocket or tap assets such as property or investments to pay for long-term care. If they use up those resources, Medicaid may become an option. Long-term care insurance. Some people buy long-term care insurance that may pay for custodial care in a nursing home or assisted living facility or for a caregiver to come to their home. To qualify for payouts, you generally must need help with at least two activities of daily living (ADLs) or provide evidence of cognitive impairment. Veterans benefits. Military veterans may have access to long-term care benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Medicaid. The federally financed but state-run health program that provides coverage to people with low incomes pays a considerable portion of America’s nursing home bills. Medicaid eligibility varies by state but requires strictly limited income and financial assets. Updated July 19, 2022 Medicare provides coverage for care required at a skilled nursing facility (SNF). The coverage is available for a set amount of time, and rules apply. If a person is ready to leave the hospital but still requires certain types of specialized care, they may be transferred to a skilled nursing facility. A skilled nursing facility is a health care facility that provides in-person, 24-hour medical care. Medicare Part A may cover skilled nursing facility care for a limited time, and this article will look at the coverage options in more detail.
Share on PinterestMedicare covers the cost of care at a skilled nursing facility for a set amount of time. A skilled nursing facility (SNF) is a health care facility that provides on-site, 24-hour medical care. The facilities offer post-hospital nursing care, including:
Skilled nursing facilities may be affiliated with nursing homes or hospitals. Medicare Part A may cover skilled nursing facility care if a person has days left in their benefit period to use. RulesThere are certain rules that must be followed when considering coverage options for a SNF. For Medicare to cover costs, the following rules apply:
An individual may initially have to go to the hospital for one health condition, but develop another while admitted that also requires hospital treatment. As long as a person meets the three-day qualifying period, the new condition will be eligible for coverage at an SNF, should it be required. A health condition, such as a new infection that begins while a person is receiving care in a skilled nursing facility, is also usually covered by Medicare. Medicare-covered services during a stay at an SNF include, but are not limited to:
A person can talk with their doctor or hospital discharge planner to get help finding a Medicare-certified SNF that meets their needs. Medicare pays differently, depending on how long a person is in an SNF. After day 20, a person must pay a copayment, and the amount increases with the length of the stay. The table below shows how copayments change. The copayment applies to each benefit period. It may be of use to a person or caregiver to keep track of the number of days spent in a skilled nursing facility, to avoid unexpected costs. Benefit periodA person has a benefit period of 60 days that applies to hospital and SNP stays. Once a person has been home from the hospital or SNF for 60 days in a row, a new admission would result in a new benefit period. This means that an individual may be eligible for another 100 days of Medicare-approved SNF care after a qualifying inpatient hospital stay. After 100 daysAfter 100 days, Medicare may continue to cover medically-necessary skilled therapy services while a person is in the SNF, but they may have to pay the cost of room and board out of pocket. Individuals can check with Medicare to see if they qualify for at-home therapy through the Medicare home health benefit. A doctor may also advise that a person is now able to safely receive therapy as an outpatient, at which point different coverage options may apply. If a person does not meet the requirements for the skilled nursing facility benefit, or the person has reached the 100-day limit for SNF care, Medicaid may be able to offer nursing facility services to those eligible. If a person has a Medicare Advantage plan, they can contact their insurer to discover which SNFs are in-network, as participating facilities are usually more cost-effective. A skilled nursing facility (SNF) is a health care facility that provides 24-hour medical care. SNFs provide post-hospital nursing care. Medicare-approved SNF services are covered from Medicare Part A, providing a person meets the eligibility criteria. If a person does not meet the requirements for the skilled nursing facility benefit, or the person has reached the 100-day limit for SNF care, Medicaid may be able to help pay for the care. The information on this website may assist you in making personal decisions about insurance, but it is not intended to provide advice regarding the purchase or use of any insurance or insurance products. Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance. What services are provided by Part A and Part B Medicare?What are the parts of Medicare? Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care. Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
What is Medicare Part B also known as?Medicare Part B (also known as medical insurance) is an insurance plan that covers medical services related to outpatient and doctor care. Part B covers medically necessary care and treatment, including: Medically necessary services or supplies. Preventive services.
What percent of Medicare is Part C?In fact, 28 million people are enrolled in a Part C plan in 2022, accounting for 45 percent of the total Medicare population. 1 Is Medicare Part C ideal for your health care needs and budget?
What is not paid by Medicare Part B while the patient is in a SNF?While in the SNF, the patient will receive rehab services designed to strengthen the patient so that he can return home. Medicare does not pay for custodial care. Conversely, Medicare does pay for skilled nursing care… up to a certain number of days.
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