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
Read more: What Medicare Doesn't Cover
Related terms
- Custodial careCustodial care is non-medical help with daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and using the toilet.
- Medicare home health benefitThe Medicare home health benefit pays for part-time or intermittent skilled care at home.
- Private payPrivate pay means a family pays for care directly from its own money.
- Long-term care insuranceLong-term care insurance is a private policy that pays for help with daily living when a person can no longer manage alone.
- Medicaid eligibilityMedicaid eligibility for long-term care depends on need, income, and assets.
- Medigap (Medicare supplement insurance)Medigap is private insurance that helps pay your share of Original Medicare costs, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
