Medicare does not provide long-term care coverage or custodial care unless medical care is needed. Learn more about what is covered under your plan.
Medicare coverage can be essential during retirement, but it may not cover all your long-term care costs.
You have Part A and have days left in your benefit period to use. ; You have a qualifying inpatient hospital stay. ; You enter the SNF within a short time (generally 30 days) of leaving the hospital.
Some of the items and services Medicare doesn’t cover includes long-term care, most dental care, and more.
Learn which long-term care services are covered under Medicare, whether you're eligible, and how to get help paying.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a Medicare and Medicaid program that helps people meet their health care needs in the community instead of going to a nursing home or other c...
Learn conditions for long-term care hospital (LTCH) coverage under Part A. LTCH specializes in patients with multiple serious conditions. Learn more.
Original Medicare covers things like inpatient hospital care, doctors’ services and tests, and preventive services.
Type of plan, Who's eligible ; Medicare-Medicaid Plans, You can join this type of plan if all of these apply to you: Have Medicare. Get full Medicaid benefits. Meet other criteria your state sets. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid: Your state might automatically enroll you in their Medicare-Medicaid Plan. You can pick a different Medicare plan if you don’t want to stay in the Medicare-Medicaid Plan. Contact your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office for more information. ; Special Needs Plans, You can join this type of Medicare Advantage Plan if one is available in your area and any of these apply to you: Have both Medicare and Medicaid. Need long-term care in a facility or at home. Have a chronic or disabling condition (like diabetes, stroke, cancer, or dementia). ; Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), You can join a PACE Plan if you: Have Medicare, Medicaid, or both. Are 55 or older. Live in the service area of a PACE organization. Need nursing home-level care (as certified by your state). Are able to live safely in the community (with help from PACE).
Learn if your Medicare plan will cover your health care and prescription drug costs while you’re in a nursing home. Original Medicare doesn't pay for most nursing home care.