Will Medicare Cover My Loved One's Long-Term Care Nursing Home Costs?

The short answer is no.

Medicare is a government-provided health insurance benefit program that is a part of Social Security. To qualify for Medicare, you must be 65 or older, be disabled and entitled to Social Security benefit for 24 months or suffer from end-stage renal failure or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Unlike Medicaid, there are no income or assets limitations to qualify for Medicare.

There are three common parts to Medicare coverage: Parts A, B, & D. Generally, Part A acts a hospital insurance, covering hospital care, skilled nursing facility care (but only in the context of rehabilitation), hospice, and some home health services such as physical therapy. Part B generally covers services or supplies that are needed to diagnose or treat your medical condition and that meet accepted standards of medical practice. Part D covers prescription drugs generally.

Most importantly, Medicare Part A does cover the costs skilled nursing facilities and nursing home care, but it does not cover long-term custodial care. Unless there is a long-term care insurance policy in place, most families either have to pay for the nursing home out of their own pockets or pursue long-term care Medicaid benefits.

For more information and strategies on how to achieve long-term care Medicaid eligibility in Kentucky, contact Darpel Elder Law today.