Does Medicare pay for a nursing home?
Short answer: Only for a short, skilled stay. Medicare Part A covers care in a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility for up to 100 days per benefit period after a qualifying hospital stay. It doesn't pay for long-term custodial care.
What Medicare covers
Per Medicare.gov, Part A covers skilled nursing and therapy in a Medicare-certified SNF on a short-term basis, including a semi-private room, meals, skilled nursing, and physical, occupational and speech therapy when needed.
What it doesn't
Medicare states plainly that it "doesn't pay for long-term care," meaning custodial help with bathing, dressing and other daily activities (Medicare.gov).
General information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Rules and amounts change; confirm with the official source.
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