Senior Living Guide8/9

Who actually pays, and where Medicare doesn't help

This is one of the most common surprises: Medicare generally does not pay for the ongoing cost of assisted living, memory care, or long-term custodial nursing home care. Medicare may cover some short-term skilled nursing or rehab stays under specific conditions, but not the day-to-day cost of long-term senior living.

Most families cover these costs out of pocket, through long-term care insurance if the person has a policy, or through Medicaid once income and asset requirements are met — Medicaid rules and what they cover vary significantly by state. Confirm the specifics with the facility, a benefits counselor, or your state Medicaid office rather than assuming any option is automatically covered.

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