Can seniors rely on Medicare to cover nursing home costs?

Asked by: Mr. Nikolas Hilpert DVM  |  Last update: October 28, 2025
Score: 5/5 (57 votes)

The bottom line. Medicare will pay for nursing home costs on a very limited basis. Benefits only apply to short-term stays of 100 days or less following a qualifying hospitalization. Even then, patients often are responsible for out-of-pocket costs that quickly can add up to a significant unexpected expense.

Are nursing homes covered by Medicare for seniors?

Medicare Part A may provide coverage for skilled nursing facility (SNF) care that's medically necessary (for example, changing sterile dressings). But it usually won't cover services that help with daily living activities, such as getting dressed, preparing meals, eating or going to the bathroom.

How much will Social Security pay for nursing home care?

The monthly average for a semi-private room in a nursing home is $7,908, while a private room will cost seniors $9,034. This means Social Security benefits, on average, would only cover about 21% of nursing costs for seniors who opt for a shared room and roughly 18% for those in a solo space.

What are the 6 things Medicare doesn't cover?

Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
  • Eye exams (for prescription eyeglasses)
  • Long-term care.
  • Cosmetic surgery.
  • Massage therapy.
  • Routine physical exams.
  • Hearing aids and exams for fitting them.

How much does Medicare pay for in-home nursing care?

Medicare will cover 100% of the costs for medically necessary home health care, provided that care is “part time or intermittent.” The care needed must be less than 28 hours per week. The average cost of home health care in 2024 is $29.50 per hour, but it can vary greatly by state.

4 Seniors: Does Medicare cover home health care?

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How much do nursing homes get from Medicare?

How much does Medicare pay for a nursing home? Medicare Part A covers 100% of the costs for the first 20 days in a nursing home. On day 20, your loved one may have to pay up to $204 a day in coinsurance costs. Coverage of nursing home care stops after day 100.

What qualifies as skilled nursing care for Medicare?

Skilled care is nursing and therapy care that can only be safely and effectively performed by, or under the supervision of, professionals or technical personnel. It's health care given when you need skilled nursing or skilled therapy to treat, manage, and observe your condition, and evaluate your care.

Is it better to have private insurance or Medicare?

Medicare may be preferable to private insurance for some people, possibly due to the cost. Typically, Medicare costs less than private insurance. However, if a person's employer covers their premiums, this can offset those costs. People with dependents may prefer private insurance over Medicare.

How long does Humana pay for nursing home care?

For skilled nursing facility (SNF) care, Humana typically covers the full cost for the first 20 days. Starting on Day 21, a daily copayment is required until Day 100. These costs vary by plan and location, so it's important to check the specific details of your Humana plan.

Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?

But there are trade-offs. Medicare Advantage plans often have a limited network of hospitals and physicians. And while the premiums are typically low, enrollees could end up paying more in the long run in copays and deductibles if they develop a serious illness.

What happens to your bills when you go into a nursing home?

If you have existing unpaid medical bills, and go into a nursing home and receive Medicaid, the program may allow you to use some or all of your current monthly income to pay the old bills, rather than just to be paid over to the nursing home, providing you still owe these old medical bills and you meet a few other ...

How do I get the $16728 social security bonus?

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

Will I lose my social security if I go to a nursing home?

If you are in a nursing home for more than 90 days and Medicaid pays for more than half of your nursing home costs, your SSI benefits may be reduced. The amount of your reduction will depend on how much money you have in countable assets.

How much do most nursing homes cost a month?

According to Genworth's estimates, the median cost of a private room in a nursing home is $330 per day or $10,025 per month in 2024. Semiprivate rooms are more affordable, with a median cost of $294 per day or $8,929 month1.

Will Medicare take my house if I go into a nursing home?

Can Medicare take your home to cover nursing home expenses? Medicare can't take your home and doesn't cover nursing home room and board. However, a Medicaid lien can be placed on your home, and they can sell it once you pass to recover the funds.

What is the biggest drawback of long-term care insurance?

One of the biggest drawbacks of getting long-term care insurance is the risk of losing all the premiums you have paid over the years. If you end up not needing long-term care services, you won't be eligible for coverage. This means the money you've spent for coverage goes down the drain.

How much does a nursing home cost with Medicare?

Notably, Medicare only pays for up to 100 days of care in a skilled nursing facility during each benefit period. And, after 20 days, patients are partially responsible for the costs. In 2024, patients without supplemental coverage pay $204 in coinsurance for every covered day between 21 and 100.

What is the downside of humana?

Unhappy members: Humana's scores for customer satisfaction dropped in several major Medicare markets since last year, landing below the regional average in most, according to J.D. Power's latest study. High cost limits: Humana's average maximum out-of-pocket limit on plans is the highest of the major providers.

Who pays for most nursing home care?

Each state's Medicaid program covers approximately 70 percent of nursing home care. Long-term care insurance can also pay for nursing home care, but relatively few people have it. The average cost of a nursing home is over $90,000 per year but this varies state to state.

Why do people say not to get a Medicare Advantage plan?

Disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans can include difficulty switching out of the plans later, restrictions on care access, limited provider networks, and limitations on extra benefits.

Why do doctors charge more than Medicare pays?

Healthcare Providers who do not accept assignment, on the other hand, believe their services are worth more than what the physician fee schedule allows. These non-participating providers will charge you more than other doctors. Medicare has set a limit on how much those practitioners can charge.

Can you decline employer health insurance and get Medicare?

For example, you may be able to: Drop your employer coverage and enroll in Original Medicare, Part A and Part B. If you take this route, you might want to think about signing up for prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D, and/or buying a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan.

How many days does Medicare cover in a nursing home?

Medicare covers up to 100 days of care in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) for each benefit period if all of Medicare's requirements are met, including your need of daily skilled nursing care with 3 days of prior hospitalization. Medicare pays 100% of the first 20 days of a covered SNF stay.

What qualifies you for a nursing home?

A person may qualify for nursing home care if they cannot independently perform essential daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, or moving around, and require consistent medical support or supervision.