Medicare and Long Term Care
Question: Does Medicare cover Nursing home expenses?
Answer: In some situations Medicare covers Skilled Nursing Facility Care but you must meet Medicare requirements and the length of coverage is limited.
Medicare will cover the first 20 days in a Medicare approved skilled nursing facility IF the admission comes within 30 days of having been in a hospital for at least 3 days and all other Medicare requirements are met. After the first 20 days, Medicare covers all but $141.50/day (for 2011) up through the 100th day. From day 101, you are responsible for all costs.
A Medicare Supplement can pay the costs not paid by Medicare for days 21 through 100.
I’ve never had a client say they were looking forward to going to the nursing home and it’s not something any of us like to think about. As one ages it becomes more probable to require attention and so often it’s people 65 plus who are talking to me about long term care coverage. It’s expensive at that point! I will be addressing this issue in my June ’11 newsletter. You can join the mailing list on the HOME page.
