What is the current Medicare coverage for LTC, nursing home care, and SNF care?

September 20, 2009 by admin

Generally, Medicare does not pay for long-term care. Long-term care can be provided at home, in the community, or in various types of facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Most long-term care is considered to be "custodial care." Custodial care is nonskilled, personal care, such as help with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, eating, getting in or out of bed or chair, moving around, and using the bathroom. It may also include care that most people do for themselves. Medicare does not pay for custodial care. Medicare pays only for medically necessary skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. Generally, skilled care is available only for a short time after a hospitalization. Skilled care is health care given when you need skilled nursing or rehabilitation staff to manage, observe, and evaluate your care. Examples of skilled care are changing sterile dressings and physical therapy. Our publications titled Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care and Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home provide additional information about long-term care, nursing home care, and skilled nursing facility care that may be helpful to you. Whether you are seeking skilled care following a hospitalization (covered under Medicare) or long-term custodial care (not covered by Medicare), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is committed to providing the information you need to choose a nursing home for a family member or yourself. Please visit the Nursing Home Compare section of Medicare's website for the most current information on nursing homes in your area.