Medicare Part A covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. Medicare will not cover the cost of your stay if you need additional days in a SNF or otherwise need long-term care (LTC) in a facility (such as an assisted living facility).
If you have significant LTC needs, you may want to explore other kinds of insurance that may provide you with more comprehensive coverage:
- Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage if you have a limited income. Medicaid is the country’s largest payer of LTC services and will pay for nursing home care. Medicaid benefits also coordinate with Medicare.
- Long-term care insurance generally covers nursing home stays and can limit your health care costs. However, it can be very expensive and you can only purchase certain LTC policies if you are in good health.