Long-term care

Medicare and most health insurance, including Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) , don't pay for long-term care. This type of care (also called "custodial care" or "long-term services and supports") includes medical and non-medical care for people who have a chronic illness or disability. 

Your costs in Original Medicare

You pay 100% for non-covered services, including most long-term care.

What it is

Long-term care is a range of services and support for your personal care needs. Most long-term care isn't medical care. Instead, most long-term care helps with basic personal tasks of everyday life, sometimes called "activities of daily living." This includes things like dressing, bathing and using the bathroom. Long-term care may also include home-delivered meals, adult day health care, home and community-based services and others. You may be eligible for this care through Medicaid, or you can choose to buy private long-term care insurance.

Things to know

You can get long-term care at home, in the community, in an assisted living facility, or in a nursing home. It's important to start planning for long-term care now to maintain your independence and to make sure you get the care you may need, in the setting you want, now and in the future.

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