Paying for care
Medicare, Medicaid and VA benefits each pay for different kinds of care, and the gaps between them surprise many families. These guides use the current figures published by each program and say when they change.
Does Medicare pay for a nursing home?
Medicare covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing care after a qualifying hospital stay, not long-term custodial care. See the 2026 copays and run the day calculator.Includes: SNF 100-day calculator
Medicare hospice benefit
Who qualifies for the Medicare hospice benefit, how the 90- and 60-day benefit periods work, what you pay in 2026, and what Medicare stops covering.
Does Medicare cover assisted living?
Medicare does not pay for rent, meals or personal care in assisted living. It still covers medical care for residents. See what is covered and where else to look.