Long-Term Care and Medicare: What You Should Know

Many seniors mistakenly believe that Medicare covers long-term care, only to face huge out-of-pocket expenses later. This guide from Senior Health Stop breaks down what’s covered, what’s not, and how you can plan ahead to protect your savings.

1. Medicare Doesn’t Cover Most Long-Term Care

Let’s be clear — Medicare does not cover ongoing long-term care like help with bathing, dressing, or eating. It’s designed for medical care, not personal or custodial care. That means nursing homes or assisted living costs typically aren’t included.

2. What Medicare Does Cover

Medicare covers short-term skilled nursing care after a qualifying hospital stay (at least three days). You can receive up to 100 days of coverage — the first 20 are fully covered, and the rest require daily copayments.

3. Home Health Care Options Exist

If you need part-time nursing or therapy at home, Medicare can help cover those services — but only if they’re medically necessary and ordered by a doctor. Personal care (like cooking or cleaning) is still not included.

4. Planning Ahead Prevents Financial Strain

Without preparation, long-term care can easily drain your retirement funds. The average cost of a private nursing home room exceeds $100,000 per year in many states.

5. How Senior Health Stop Can Help

At Senior Health Stop, we guide you through understanding what Medicare covers, where it falls short, and what additional protection makes sense for your situation. Our experts can help you compare supplement and Advantage plans to fill any gaps in long-term care coverage.