Medicare does pay for some nursing home care — but only for a short-term, medically necessary skilled nursing stay, not for long‑term or custodial care. In most cases, Medicare will not cover a permanent nursing home stay (like for dementia or just needing daily help with bathing/eating).

When Medicare does pay (short‑term skilled nursing)

Medicare Part A may cover a stay in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) if all of these conditions are met:

  • There was a prior hospital inpatient stay of at least 3 consecutive days (not counting the day of discharge).
  • The nursing home is Medicare‑certified as a SNF.
  • The care is skilled nursing or skilled therapy services (for example: IVs, wound care, physical/occupational therapy) that are medically necessary and related to the hospital stay.
  • The patient is admitted to the SNF within 30 days of leaving the hospital, for the same illness or a related condition.

How long and how much Medicare pays (2026)

Under these rules, Medicare covers up to 100 days of SNF care per benefit period:

  • Days 1–20 : Medicare pays 100% of covered costs (no coinsurance).
  • Days 21–100 : Medicare pays most of the cost, but the patient pays a daily coinsurance amount (about $217 per day in 2026 ; was $209.50 in 2025).
  • Day 101 and beyond : Medicare pays nothing ; all costs are the patient’s responsibility.

What Medicare does NOT pay for

Medicare generally does not pay for:

  • Long‑term nursing home stays (like living in a nursing home for months or years just because help is needed with daily life).
  • Custodial care (help with bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, moving around) when that’s the only type of care needed.
  • Room and board in assisted living or most nursing homes (unless part of a covered SNF stay).
  • Dementia care or Alzheimer’s care that is mainly custodial, not skilled medical/therapy care.

What about Medicare Advantage (Part C)?

Most Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans follow the same SNF rules as Original Medicare. They do not usually cover long‑term nursing home care. However, some plans may offer extra benefits (like a small contribution toward home care or respite care), so it’s important to check the specific plan’s evidence of coverage (EOC).

What pays for long‑term nursing home care?

If long‑term care is needed, these are the main options:

  • Medicaid — In most states, Medicaid can cover long‑term nursing home care for people who meet income and asset limits.
  • Long‑term care insurance — A private policy that pays for weeks or months (or years) of nursing home, assisted living, or home care, depending on the plan.
  • Out‑of‑pocket — Using savings, pensions, or home equity to pay for the stay.

Quick checklist: Will Medicare pay?

Medicare will likely cover a nursing home stay only if:

  • The person just had a 3‑day hospital stay.
  • The nursing home is a Medicare‑certified SNF.
  • The care needed is skilled (nursing, therapy, wound care, etc.), not just help with daily living.
  • The stay is expected to be short‑term (up to 100 days).

If the situation is more about long‑term help rather than active recovery from a hospital stay, Medicare will likely not pay, and another funding source (like Medicaid or private resources) will be needed.

Bottom line:
Medicare can cover a short skilled nursing stay after a hospitalization (up to 100 days), but it does not pay for long‑term custodial nursing home care. If a permanent nursing home stay is expected, it’s important to plan ahead and look into Medicaid, long‑term care insurance, or other options.