Does Medicare cover long-term care?
Medicare does not pay for most long-term care — sometimes called custodial care — which includes help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and eating. Medicare can help pay for medically necessary skilled care in a nursing facility for a limited time after a qualifying hospital stay.
What it means
- Original Medicare does not pay for custodial long-term care.
- Medicare Part A can cover up to 100 days of skilled nursing facility care per benefit period after a qualifying inpatient hospital stay.
- Medicaid — not Medicare — is the primary payer of long-term custodial care for people who qualify.
Action steps
- For long-term custodial care, contact your state Medicaid office to check eligibility.
- Consider long-term care insurance if you're planning ahead and don't expect to qualify for Medicaid.
Source:
Last verified: 2026-07-18
- We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
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