The federal insurance program Medicare does not cover the cost of residing in an assisted🍨 living facility. The reason is simple: Medicare doesn’t view assisted living as a medical necessity.

However, for people 65 and over and those with certain disabilities, Medicare does cover other eligible medical services. Some may happen when you reside in an 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:assisted living facility, including medical procedures, health screenings, doctor visits, and hospital s💖tays. It can also cover prescription drugs, but this coverage is optional.

In addition, Medicare covers temporary care provided at a skilled nursing facility for up to 100꧒ days per benefit period.

What Is an Assisted Living Community?

An assisted living community is geared toward older adults. It offers more support than an independent living or 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:retirement community. Services typically provided at an assisted livin🌳g community include:

• Permanent living space
• Meals
• Transportation
• Housekeeping
• Social activities
• Scheduled outings
• Health and wellness programs
• Management of medication
• Around-the-clock emergency care
• Help with routine activities such as bathing and getting dressed

The median cost of assisted living in the U.S. is $4,500 per month, according to the American Health Care Association. Although Medicare doesn’t cover assisted living facility costs, other 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:financial options can help pay those costs, including:

• Social Security benefits
• Retirement savings
• 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Long-term care insurance
• Home equity funds extracted from a previous 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:reverse mortgage
• Veterans benefits
• Medicaid benefits

What Does Medicare Cover in an Assisted🍌 Living Community?

Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of residing in an assisted living community, also known as “澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:custodial care.”

Medicare 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Part A and Part B, along with Part D, can cover your other medical expenses while you’re in assisted living, nursing home, or other care facility.

• Medicare Part A: Helps pay for care at hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, along with hospice care and some home healthcare
• Medicare Part B: Helps pay for medically necessary services and preventive care, such as doctor visits, outpatient care, home healthcare, and medical equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers
• 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Medicare Part D: Covers prescription medication, such as generic and brand-name drugs, and vaccinations not covered by Part B

Some assisted living communities specialize in offering some nursing services or services tailored for specific people, such as those with Alzheimer’s disease. For 24-hour care, an older adult 💛would go to a nursing home. However, even there, Medicare does not cover custodial care costs. 

What Is a Skilled Nursing Facility?

A 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:skilled nursing facility treats people temporarily after hospitalization for an illness or injury. Skilled nursing facilities are designed for short-term rehabilitative stays, while assisted living is des🥀igned for longer-term stays.

The skilled nursing facility provides rehabilitation or medical treatment🧜s, including lodging, food, social services, over-the-counter medication, healthcare su🐽pplies, medical equipment, and personal care items. 

Skilled nursing facility residents receive around-the-clock care from doctꦿors, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, aud🗹iologists, speech pathologists, and other professionals.

What Does Medicare Cover𓄧 in a Skilled Nursing Facility?

🌺 In certain situations, Medicare Part A offers limited coverage for skilled n🎃ursing care and drugs prescribed at a skilled nursing facility.  However, you generally must have a three-day hospital inpatient stay in a row to qualify for SNF coverage. 

In addition, Medicare requires you to:

• Have time in your Part A benefit period to cover skilled nursing care
• Be approved by a healthcare provider to receive daily skilled care
• Need skilled nursing care to improve or maintain your current condition or prevent or delay it from worsening
• Obtain care at a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility
• Enter the facility within a short period (usually 30 days) after being released from the hospital

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Bottom Line

Medicare does not cover assisted living. However, the federal insurance program may cover medical care and prescription drugs for an assisted living facility resident. Possible payment options for assisted living include 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Social Security benefits, retirement savings, and Medicaid.