Original Medicare (Parts A & B): Nursing Home Care

Medicare does NOT cover custodial care, which is the care generally provided by nursing homes.

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Cost
Does not apply, as nursing home care is not covered by Medicare
Prior Authorization Required
Not applicable
Provider Referral or Order Required
No

How To Receive

Details on how to apply

Not applicable because Medicare does not cover nursing home care.


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For more information on Medicare benefits and coverage, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit the Medicare Benefits Website. TTY users, call 1-877-486-2048.

Availability
Not applicable
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Medicare doesn't cover custodial care, if it's the only care the member needs. Most nursing home care is custodial care, which provides assistance with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating, or personal needs that could be done safely and reasonably without professional skills or training.  

Medicare Part A may cover care in a certified skilled nursing facility (SNF), which differs from a nursing home. To receive SNF care, it must be determined by a provider to be medically necessary, like changing sterile dressings, for example.

So, who covers nursing home care?

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