Medicare rules about paying for nursing home

[admin]

I hear lots of different versions about what medicare will pay for when it comes to nursing home care. My parent is old enough to be on medicare, will it pay for the nursing home?

[sandwichtime]

Good question. First of all note that there is a difference between Medicare and Medicaid. Most people haven't learned the difference.

Under certain limited conditions, Medicare will pay some nursing home costs for Medicare beneficiaries who require skilled nursing or rehabilitation services. To be covered, you must receive the services from a Medicare certified skilled nursing home after a qualifying hospital stay.

Medicaid, on the other hand, will pay for most nursing home costs for people with limited income and assets. Eligibility varies by state, so check out your state's requirements. Many people end up with Medicaid paying their nursing home expenses, but only after their personal finances have been exhausted (easy to do, with fees in the thousands per month).

Check out [url]Medicare.gov[/url], it is really helpful. http://www.medicare.gov/nursing/Payment.asp

[bogeyman]

I don't know about everyone else, but i am very fuzzy about who pays for long term care, depending on type. So i was very excited to find this resource that explains so clearly every aspect of long term care - the various types, average costs, and who will pay for what. Its from the National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Information - definitely worth bookmarking! http://www.longtermcare.gov/LTC/Main_Site/Paying_LTC/Costs_Of_Care/Costs_Of_Care.aspx