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• What is long term care and who needs it?
• Where are long term care services received and who provides long term care?
• Common long term care myths
• How much does long term care cost?
• Will health insurance or disability insurance cover long term care costs?
• Will Medicare cover long term care costs?
• How can I pay for long term care?
• Can I pay my long term care costs and insurance premiums through a Health Savings Account (HSA)?
   

Long Term Care Basics

Will Medicare Cover Long Term Care Costs?

Generally, Medicare is available for people age 65 or older, younger people with disabilities, and people with End Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant).

Medicare pays limited amounts for skilled care following a hospital stay; Medicare does not cover most long term care services which assist people with the activities of daily living over a long period of time.

Medicare will only cover the first 100 days of care in a nursing home per Benefit Period if you:

1. Are receiving skilled care, and
2. Have a qualifying hospital stay of at least three days and enter the nursing home within 30 days of that hospital discharge.

There are also some deductibles and co-pays (meaning you have to pay part of the cost). In addition, Medicare covers limited home visits for skilled care and incidental homemaker services.

For additional information on Medicare, please visit www.medicare.gov.

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