08/27/2026
This is my quarterly reminder that Medicare DOES NOT cover long term care! Many people assume Long Term Care means Nursing Home, but that’s just one component.
Can’t bathe yourself? Long term custodial care.
Can’t feed yourself? Long term custodial care.
Can’t dress yourself? Long term custodial care.
Can’t transfer from bed/chair/toilet? LT custodial.
Forgetfulness? Wandering the neighborhood? Dementia?
All of these are considered long-term custodial care. Medicare was never made to cover these things. When Medicare first came out the average life expectancy of a man was only around 65. That matters! We are living much longer now, and we are needing assisted care increasingly more. Medicare will not pay for these things.
One of the most common calls we get is: “Mom is being sent home from rehab, but she can’t walk or feed herself.” This is the perfect example of where Medicare cuts off. Medicare will cover short rehabilitation stays, but once it’s determined there will be no more major improvement, Medicare stops. At that point, it’s considered long-term care. And if mom needs to stay in the facility, it has to be covered by long-term care insurance or private pay.
Most people don’t realize this until a loved one needs long term care and they are brutally awakened to the news that Medicare won’t pay. Please!!! I beg you!! Plan accordingly and do not wait.
Do estate planning with an attorney and look into getting long-term care insurance. These plans have massively changed since they first came out! With the right guidance, you can get great coverage without the old huge premiums your parents paid. Today there are many different types of policies available to help you plan.
Look, our system is broken. It’s not fair. But we do have to work in it until changes are made. So let’s plan for it.
