How long do Medicaid and Medicare pay for assisted living?

Asked by: Lorena Crona Jr.  |  Last update: January 26, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (48 votes)

In most cases, Medicare will not pay for the cost of long-term care, including assisted living and nursing homes. Medicare will, however, cover your stay in a long-term-care facility for up to 100 days following a severe injury or major surgery.

Does Medicaid cover any of assisted living?

Medicaid will pay for long-term services and supports in assisted living. Medicaid will not, however, pay for room and board in this setting.

How many days will Medicare pay 100% of the covered costs of care in a skilled nursing care facility?

You pay nothing for covered services the first 20 days that you're in a skilled nursing facility (SNF). You pay a daily coinsurance for days 21-100, and you pay all costs beyond 100 days. Visit Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get current amounts.

How is most assisted living care usually paid for?

How Is Most Assisted Living Care Usually Paid for?
  • Long-term care insurance.
  • Veterans benefits.
  • Charities and nonprofit organizations.
  • State and local programs.

Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in CA?

California has a limited Medi-Cal waiver program called the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) which allows Medi-Cal to pay for residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFEs).

Does Medicaid And Medicare Pay For Assisted Living? - CountyOffice.org

15 related questions found

How can I pay for assisted living with no money near me?

How to Pay for Assisted Living With No Money
  • Medicaid Coverage. Since Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal government and the state, coverage varies from state to state. ...
  • Long-Term Care Insurance. Do you have a long-term care insurance (LTCI) policy? ...
  • Veterans Benefits. ...
  • Life Insurance. ...
  • Reverse Mortgage.

How much is assisted living per month in California?

In California, the average cost of assisted living is $6,250 per month, encompassing services such as personalized care, social and recreational programs, meals, housekeeping, and various amenities designed to enhance quality of life1. The cost of assisted living in California also varies by market.

What happens to the elderly when they run out of money?

Seniors who reside in an assisted living facility and run out of funds will be evicted. Elderly individuals who are unable to turn to family for financial support and have no money can become a ward of the state. This may be the case if the senior develops a health emergency and is no longer able to live alone.

How do people afford to live in assisted living?

The money may come from personal savings or assets from either the aging adult or their children. In general, the average cost of assisted living can be around $3,500 per month. This will increase for skilled nursing or memory care, which requires a higher level of care.

What is included in assisted living costs for seniors?

Accommodation costs typically include:
  • Housing such as a studio or shared room apartment.
  • A meal plan and nutritional support for dietary needs.
  • Housekeeping and laundry services.
  • Grounds, landscaping and maintenance services.
  • Access to amenities: fitness center, religious services, recreational and social activities, etc.

What happens when Medicare days are exhausted?

Medicare will stop paying for your inpatient-related hospital costs (such as room and board) if you run out of days during your benefit period.

Does Medicare pay for nursing home care for the elderly?

The bottom line

Medicare will pay for nursing home costs on a very limited basis. Benefits only apply to short-term stays of 100 days or less following a qualifying hospitalization. Even then, patients often are responsible for out-of-pocket costs that quickly can add up to a significant unexpected expense.

What is the 3 midnight rule?

A patient has passed two midnights in Inpatient status and medically no longer requires hospital care. If there are no accepting SNFs (within the confines of a reasonable search) resulting in passage of a third Inpatient midnight in the hospital, the Three Midnight Rule has been fulfilled.

Who qualifies for assisted living?

To qualify for assisted living, you should be in relatively stable condition. Your health must be well-managed and any disease or chronic illness under control. If you have extensive medical issues requiring round-the-clock care and skilled nursing, you might not be a good fit for assisted living.

Can Medicaid pay for rent?

However, Medicaid cannot pay for rent or for room and board, except in certain medical institutions (CMS 2021a).

Does assisted living count as medical expense?

Key Takeaways. You can deduct the medical portion of assisted living expenses on your taxes, but nonmedical costs, such as meals and activities, aren't deductible.

What is the cheapest way for a senior to live?

Seniors can save money on housing by choosing to stay in their own homes and becoming a member of a local virtual retirement community. Virtual retirement communities are grassroots, nonprofit organizations that provide older adults with a variety of accessibility services.

What to do when assisted living is too expensive?

Invest in a long-term care insurance policy

"Investing in long-term care insurance can help cover the costs of assisted living facilities, home care, and other long-term care services," Cromwell says. "It's beneficial to purchase these policies earlier in life when premiums are typically lower."

How long do you have to live in assisted living?

The median length stay for someone in assisted living is around 22 months. Over half (60%) of assisted living residents eventually move from an assisted living community to a skilled nursing facility. Around one-third of people at least 65 years old may never need assisted living or care in a skilled nursing facility.

What happens to your bills when you go into a nursing home?

If you have existing unpaid medical bills, and go into a nursing home and receive Medicaid, the program may allow you to use some or all of your current monthly income to pay the old bills, rather than just to be paid over to the nursing home, providing you still owe these old medical bills and you meet a few other ...

Are you financially responsible for your elderly parents?

Filial responsibility laws, also known as filial support laws, are legal statutes that require adult children to financially support their parents if they are unable to do so themselves. In California, these laws are outlined in Family Code Section 4400. However, the application of these laws is not absolute.

What are some things elderly patients may do if they dont have the money to pay for their prescriptions?

Patient assistance programs: Some drug companies have assistance programs that may offer prescription drugs at little to no cost, depending on eligibility. If you have run out of other options, ask your provider or pharmacist if you qualify for any assistance programs.

Who is eligible for the $3000 senior assistance program in California?

Basic Requirements Aged 65, blind or disabled. Citizenship U.S. citizen, U.S. national or resident alien. Countable Resources $2,000 for individuals/$3,000 for married couples. Income Countable income can't exceed the federal benefit rate.

How much does a live in caregiver make a month in California?

As of Jan 18, 2025, the average annual pay for a Live In Caregiver in California is $46,130 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $22.18 an hour. This is the equivalent of $887/week or $3,844/month.

Does assisted living take all your income?

No, assisted living facilities don't take all your money. After you pay your care costs, you can spend or save any remaining personal funds as you choose. You may have a significant sum left over each month if you have a high retirement income or substantial assets.