08/18/2026
Many people are surprised to learn that Original Medicare does not cover most long-term custodial care—the ongoing help with bathing, dressing, eating, using the bathroom, or supervision that many people may eventually need.
Medicare Part A may cover a limited period of medically necessary skilled nursing or rehabilitation care after a qualifying inpatient hospital stay. Coverage can last up to 100 days per benefit period, but eligibility requirements apply, days 21–100 have daily coinsurance, and coverage ends when skilled care is no longer medically necessary. Medicare’s skilled-nursing coverage
When care is primarily custodial, you’re generally responsible for the cost unless you have another source of coverage. The 2025 national median nursing-home cost was approximately $114,975 annually for a semi-private room and $129,575 for a private room. CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey
As Medicare Open Enrollment approaches, it’s also a good time to review your broader retirement protection. Long-term-care planning is separate from choosing a Medicare plan—but it’s an important gap to consider.
Would you like to schedule a short, no-obligation conversation about your long-term-care options?
Lynn Hunter
Independent Insurance Broker
Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Coverage, benefits, eligibility, and costs vary by policy and individual circumstances.
