Long-term care hospital services
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers care in a long-term hospital
Description
Long-term care hospitals typically provide care to patients with more than one serious medical condition. The patients may improve with time and care, and eventually return home. Long-term care hospitals may offer services like:
- Respiratory therapy
- Head trauma treatment
- Pain management
After being discharged from the long-term care hospital, many people get one of these:
- Care in a skilled nursing facility
- Custodial care in a long-term care facility
Costs
What you pay each benefit period in 2026 depends on how long you're getting care:
- Days 1-60: After you pay the $1,736 deductible you pay $0 each day
- Days 61-90: You pay $434 each day.
- Days 91-150: You pay $868 each day while using your 60 lifetime reserve days . These are additional days that Medicare will pay for when you're in a hospital for more than 90 days. You have a total of 60 reserve days that can be used once during your lifetime.
- After Day 150: You pay all costs.
Ask your doctor or healthcare provider how much your test, item, or service will cost.
Your doctor may recommend services that Medicare does not cover or offers too frequently. This could end up in additional costs for you. Make sure to ask your doctor about the reasons for these recommendations and what Medicare will actually cover.
Specific amounts you could owe depend on:
Other insurance you may have
How much your doctor charges
If your doctor accepts assignment
The type of facility
Where you get your test, item, or service