Does Medicare Pay for Senior Living?

Understanding what Medicare does and doesn't cover is critical for financial planning. Here's the full breakdown.

⚠️ The Short Answer

Medicare does NOT cover assisted living, memory care, or custodial care. It only covers short-term skilled nursing (up to 100 days after hospitalization) and limited home health services.

What Medicare DOES Cover

✅ Skilled Nursing (Part A)

Up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility after a 3-day hospital stay. Covers rehabilitation (PT, OT, speech therapy), skilled nursing care, and medical supplies.

Cost: Days 1-20: $0. Days 21-100: ~$204.50/day copay.

✅ Home Health Care (Part A & B)

Intermittent skilled nursing, physical therapy, and medical social services if you are homebound and need skilled care.

Cost: $0 for covered services. 20% copay for durable medical equipment.

✅ Hospice Care (Part A)

End-of-life comfort care for those with a terminal illness (6 months or less life expectancy). Covers medications, medical equipment, and counseling.

Cost: $0 for most services. Small copay for some drugs.

What Medicare Does NOT Cover

❌ Assisted Living

Room, board, and personal care services in an assisted living facility.

❌ Memory Care

Specialized care for Alzheimer's and dementia in a residential setting.

❌ Custodial Care

Help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating) that doesn't require skilled medical care.

❌ Long-Term Nursing Home Stay

Stays beyond 100 days, or stays that are custodial rather than skilled.

❌ 24-Hour Home Care

Round-the-clock personal care or homemaker services.

How to Pay if Medicare Won't Cover It

🏛️ Medicaid

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🎖️ VA Benefits

Up to $2,431/mo for veterans

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Frequently Asked Questions

No. Medicare does not cover assisted living, room and board, or custodial care (help with daily activities like bathing and dressing). Assisted living is primarily paid for out-of-pocket, through Medicaid waiver programs, VA benefits, or long-term care insurance.

Medicare Part A covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing facility care following a qualifying 3-day hospital stay. Days 1-20 are fully covered. Days 21-100 require a daily copay ($204.50 in 2025). After 100 days, Medicare coverage ends.

Yes, Medicare covers home health services (skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy) if you are homebound and need intermittent skilled care. It does NOT cover 24-hour home care, meal delivery, or personal care aides for daily activities.

Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65+, focused on medical care. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program for low-income individuals that can cover long-term care including assisted living (through state waivers). You can qualify for both simultaneously (dual eligibility).