Do government programs cover long term care?

Answer 1

Medicare only covers up to 100 days If they see improvement of the health. Doctors pen. Medicaid has a spend down limit.

Yes, Medicare covers people over 65, and some people with disabilities. And Medicaid covers some poor people. But Medicare only pays a small percentage of the cost of quality nursing home care. Medicaid can cover about half.

Also, many economists are convinced that the current Medicare and Medicaid are unsustainable as the U.S. population ages. Benefits will have to be cut even further in the future.

Medicare will only cover up to 100 days of "recovery" care. That means that a person must be showing continuous signs of improvement. If an individual has cognitive ( mental ) impairment, such as Alzheimer's, or needs continuous help with activities of daily living ( ADL's ) , such as eating, bathing, toileting, mobility, dressing or continence, then Medicare does not , and will not, cover the cost of long term care. Medicaid will cover the costs, but only after a person has spent down their assets to the poverty level of their state.