Medicare usually doesn't pay for long-term care, but it does help pay for skilled nursing or home health care for rehabilitation after certain types of care. Although Medicare doesn't cover assisted living, you'll continue to pay for all services approved under Parts A and B, such as hospitalizations, doctor visits, procedures, and exams. No, Medicare doesn't pay for assisted living. For residents of assisted living facilities, Medicare support is generally limited to health care-related expenses, such as doctor visits and on-site therapy.
It cannot be used to pay for daily living costs, such as room and board, or to help with activities of daily living (ADL), such as bathing and dressing. For these services, you or your loved one will need to use private payment methods, such as personal savings or retirement funds. Medicare doesn't cover assisted living costs, such as room, food, personal care, or custody services. While many older people and their families wonder, “Does Medicare pay for assisted living? usually, the answer is no. However, Medicare may cover certain medical services received in a community assisted living environment, such as physical therapy, skilled nursing care, or doctor visits, if considered medically necessary.
Restorative care can be used on its own to meet the needs of the elderly or as a method to lower the cost of a long-term care insurance policy. Medicare parts A and B can help cover care at a skilled nursing facility (SNF) or rehabilitation facility. This distinction is why Medicare doesn't cover the costs of long-term care, whether in an assisted living community, nursing homes, or home. If you don't qualify for these Medicare-covered services, private insurance and government programs can help you pay for assisted living.
Assisted living communities are all unique, with different features and amenities that range from dining rooms and common social areas to libraries and movie theaters. Assisted living is an option for people who can usually take care of themselves, but who need help managing tasks such as household chores, meals or other tasks. Medicare covers certain costs for people with dementia, such as hospital care, cognitive evaluations, home health care, palliative care, medications (depending on Part D), and care in specialized nursing homes. Because it's designed to supplement coverage, Medigap doesn't pay for assisted living or other types of long-term care.
However, in 2025, Medicare Part A covers all the costs of inpatient hospitals for the first 60 days and all the costs of skilled nursing facilities for the first 20 days. While Medicare doesn't cover the cost of living in an assisted living facility, it may cover certain medical services you may receive while in an assisted living facility. Basically, there are three main ways to pay for assisted living, says Scott Maibor, a life insurance and Medicare expert and managing director of Senior Benefits Boston, LLC. Finally, she adds, if you need help planning or saving, you might consider hiring the help of a financial planner or an attorney who specializes in caring for the elderly.
By 2025, assisted living funding generally requires alternative options, such as Medicaid, long-term care insurance, veterans benefits, or personal savings. Medicare usually doesn't pay for long-term care, but it does help pay for skilled nursing or home health care for rehabilitation after certain types of hospitalizations.
