Getting Long Term Care

Who Should Pay For Long-Term Care?

If you are above the poverty line, expect to pay most of your long-term care bills.

The answer is simple: it comes from your cash and your assets, your family's assets and for those without assets it is paid by Medicaid programs administered by state government. More than half of nursing home bills are paid out-of-pocket by individuals and their families, and somewhat less than half are paid by state Medicaid programs. Insurance, and that includes Medicare, Medicare supplemental coverage and health insurance provided by employers, does not pay for most long-term care expenses.

Only in certain cases will Medicare cover the cost of some skilled nursing care in approved nursing homes or in your home, but there is no coverage for custodial or intermediate care or prolonged home health care.