Question:
Does Medicare cover long-term care?
My response:
Medicare does not cover long-term care, sometimes called long-term services and supports, or custodial care. This type of care consists of help with non-skilled personal care assistance, help with everyday activities including dressing, bathing, and other activities of daily living (ADLs). Long-term care can take place at home, in the community, in an assisted living facility or a nursing home.
Medicare and Medicare Supplement insurance (Medigap) do not cover long-term care services, although you may be eligible for it through Medicaid. Other options include long-term care insurance and certain types of life insurance which offer features which will allow you to access the death benefit should you qualify for long-term care services. Long-term care insurance and life insurance tend to be more affordable when purchased at a younger age—typically 40s and 50s.
As always, please share this information if you consider it to be helpful, and don’t hesitate to call my office with questions about Medicare. My advice is free to you.