---
title: "Medicare coverage of custodial care: Definition | HomeCare.com"
description: "Custodial care is non-skilled personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing, eating, and using the bathroom. Medicare does not pay for it when it is..."
url: https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medicare-coverage-of-custodial-care/
publisher: HomeCare.com
phone: 800-974-3458
start: https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com
---

Paying for care

# Medicare coverage of custodial care

Custodial care is non-skilled personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing, eating, and using the bathroom. Medicare does not pay for it when it is the only care a person needs. Medicare calls this long-term care. It covers part-time skilled care for people who qualify, but not ongoing help with daily living on its own.

## Why it matters for your family

This surprises many families. Medicare pays for medical care, such as hospital stays, doctor visits, and some skilled care after a hospital stay. It does not pay for a caregiver to help with daily tasks month after month. Medicare also says Medigap and most other health plans do not cover long-term care. A common mistake is to plan around Medicare for this need. Families usually pay privately, use long-term care insurance or veterans benefits, or qualify for Medicaid. Start by asking a doctor what level of help is needed, then explore ways to pay.

Source: [medicare.gov](https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/long-term-care)

[Read more: What Medicare Doesn't Cover](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/home-care-resources/what-medicare-doesnt-cover/)

## Related terms

-   [**Custodial care**Custodial care is non-medical help with daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and using the toilet.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/custodial-care/)
-   [**Medicare home health benefit**The Medicare home health benefit pays for part-time or intermittent skilled care at home.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medicare-home-health-benefit/)
-   [**Private pay**Private pay means a family pays for care directly from its own money.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/private-pay/)
-   [**Long-term care insurance**Long-term care insurance is a private policy that pays for help with daily living when a person can no longer manage alone.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/long-term-care-insurance/)
-   [**Medicaid eligibility**Medicaid eligibility for long-term care depends on need, income, and assets.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medicaid-eligibility/)
-   [**Medigap (Medicare supplement insurance)**Medigap is private insurance that helps pay your share of Original Medicare costs, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medigap/)

[All glossary terms](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/)

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