Long-term care is a range of services and support for your personal care needs. Most long-term care isn’t medical care. Instead, most long-term care is help with basic personal tasks of everyday life like bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom, sometimes called activities of daily living.

How does Medicare cover Long Term Care?

Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care (also called custodial care), if that’s the only care you need. Most nursing home care is custodial care. So you pay 100% for non-covered services, including most long-term care.

Medicaid is the safety net program for impoverished people who have no means of paying for care. Medicaid does cover long-term care costs however, the majority of care provided is for end-of-life care in a facility.

How to pay for Long Term Care?

You have three options: the Medicare Advantage Plan, Long Term Care Policy, and out-of-pocket. Here are some details on the first two:

Medicare Advantage Plan	Long Term Care Policy
Low cost Annual max Copays and coinsurance can be required	Monthly premium Provides for Assisted Living Facility Costs Receive healthcare in the safety and comfort of your home Helps people maintain their independence

 

Making the Decision for Long-Term Care:

There are advantages and disadvantages to each option. But to pick the plan that’s right for you, consider the following questions:

• What is your health status?
• What family support do you have?
• Have you been a caregiver?
• Do you want to receive care in your home?