Medicare Does Not Cover Long-Term Custodial Care, Highlighting Planning Gap for Beneficiaries
Medicare generally does not cover long-term custodial care, which includes assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, or using the bathroom, when this is the primary type of care needed. While Medicare Part A may cover a limited stay in a skilled nursing facility for up to 100 days per benefit period, this is only under specific conditions, such as following a qualifying hospital stay of at least three days, and for medically necessary services like physical therapy or skilled nursing. This coverage is intended for short-term recovery and rehabilitation, not for ongoing custodial care. Many people mistakenly assume Medicare will cover extended nursing home stays, leading to significant financial surprises. Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited supplemental benefits for in-home support, but these are typically not equivalent to comprehensive long-term care coverage.
