The simple answer, no. Medicare does not cover the expenses for assisted living, but it will cover the costs for some of the services offered. Services covered include a skilled nursing facility, and some home health care services. Luckily there are other options to seek to cover the costs of assisted living. First let’s go over what Medicare covers, the definition of assisted living, and then the other options to help pay for assisted living care.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is when a senior ages and needs help with the regular daily activities of life. This includes taking their medication, bathing, dressing and monitoring their health. These activities are also known as “custodial care” in the Medicare world. These facilities are housing options for seniors who can no longer take care of themselves, and whose family can not be there every day to help. This is different than a nursing home, because these facilities have more freedom, and more services. They offer meals, transportation, personal care assistance, and supervision 24 hours a day if needed.
Since assisted living facilities are considered long term care, it is not covered by Medicare because it is considered custodial care. However, Medicare will cover health care costs that build up while in the assisted living facility. These health care costs that can be covered range from medical care such as drugs to medical devices used.
Medicare will generally only fully cover skilled healthcare services or short-term stays in a skilled nursing facilities. Medicare Part A covers hospital insurance. For example if you are recovering from an operation, if custodial care is not the only thing needed, then it will be covered.
What are your other options?
If you can not afford to be in an assisted living facility due to Medicare not covering it’s services, there are other ways to prepare for when that time comes. When you turn 65 and enroll into Medicare, you may want to take preventative measures just in case you may need to go into an assisted living facility or need an in home aid.
Medicare Supplement plans do not necessarily cover assisted living costs, but these plans help cover and pay for other expenses that Medicare does not cover. These supplement plans can help offset other costs such as copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, so that you can save more money and afford assisted living.
There are all different kinds of Medicare Supplement plans that offer different percentages for coverage in certain areas. Seniors interested in a Medicare Supplement plan should go to EZ.Insure. There they can clarify all the different plans and help you choose an affordable one. These plans can help pay for a lot of things Original Medicare will not cover, at a low monthly payment, which will end up saving you a lot of money.
It is a small way to start saving money and prepare for expenses of assisted living, but it is better than being unprepared. Contact one of our agents to begin learning ways you can save. An agent will guide you and help you sign up free of charge, just enter your zip code in the bar above, call 855-220-1144, or email replies@ez.insure. EZ.Insure guarantees to find you a Supplement plan that is affordable, because our goal is to help you save while providing you with quality care.
