Medicare Coverage for Assisted Living

Q: Does Medicare pay for assisted living?

Traditionally, Medicare does not cover the costs of assisted living facilities or long-term care facilities. However, Medicare will cover qualified healthcare costs while your loved one is living at a certain facility. Medicare is more often used to pay for a skilled nursing facility or home health care. There are always exceptional circumstances that will allow Medicare to cover different types of care, but in most cases Medicare won’t cover the costs of custodial care.

Q: What other financial options are available to pay for assisted living?

Some assisted living facilities will offer their own private funding options for residents. If an individual has long-term care insurance, sometimes they can use that to cover a portion of their care costs. In most instances, residents pay out-of-pocket for assisted living. By selling their house and using money saved in the bank, there are a variety of options for funding your loved one's care. Brookdale has many affordable assisted living communities that can accommodate a variety of budgets. Give us a call to learn more about communities in your area.

How Coverage Relates to Assisted Living

Cost can be one of the most influential factors in the decision-making process for senior living. It's important to understand your needs, coverage and financial situation to understand where Medicare might fit into your assisted living journey.

Questions About Assisted Living Coverage

Does Medicare pay for assisted living?

Medicare typically helps cover qualified healthcare services provided within senior living communities. It often applies to care like skilled nursing or home health care. While it doesn’t usually cover the cost of assisted living or long-term support, there may be specific situations where coverage extends to other types of care.

Does Medicaid pay for assisted living?

In some states, Medicaid is used to pay for some of the costs associated with assisted living if you have limited income. Medicaid is designed to help seniors and some individuals with disabilities pay for healthcare when they are unable to pay for it themselves.

What other financial options are available to pay for assisted living?

Many assisted living communities offer private pay options, and long-term care insurance may help cover part of the cost. Generally people choose to pay out-of-pocket, which allows for greater flexibility and choice.

At Brookdale, you can find a variety of assisted living communities designed to fit different budgets. Give us a call—we’re happy to help you explore the options in your area.