Does Medicare Cover Rehab or Long-Term Care? Here's What You Need to Know
If you or a loved one are recovering from a hospital stay or managing a chronic condition, you may be wondering:
Does Medicare cover rehabilitation or long-term care?
The answer is:
Yes — but with limits.
Medicare covers
short-term rehab, but does
not pay for long-term custodial care in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Let’s break down what’s covered, what’s not, and how to prepare for extended care needs.
Medicare Covers Short-Term Rehab — After a Hospital Stay
If you're enrolled in
Original Medicare (Part A) or a
Medicare Advantage plan, you may qualify for coverage in a
skilled nursing facility (SNF) after a
qualifying hospital stay.
To qualify, you must:
- Have a 3-day inpatient hospital stay (not outpatient or observation)
- Be admitted to a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility within 30 days of discharge
- Need daily skilled care like physical therapy, occupational therapy, wound care, or IV treatments
What Medicare Covers in Rehab (Skilled Nursing Facility)
DaysWhat You PayWhat's Covered
| 1–20 |
$0 per day |
100% covered by Medicare (if qualified) |
| 21–100 |
$204/day (2025 rate) |
You pay a daily coinsurance |
| 100+ |
 Not covered |
You pay 100% out-of-pocket |
Medicare only covers
up to 100 days per benefit period, and only if your care is
medically necessary and improving your condition.
What Medicare Does Not Cover
- Long-term nursing home care for custodial needs (help with bathing, dressing, eating, etc.)
- Room and board in assisted living facilities
- 24/7 supervision for dementia or Alzheimer’s (unless skilled medical care is needed)
Medicare is not designed to pay for
ongoing personal care or housing support — only
rehab and skilled care on a short-term basis.
What About Rehab After a Stroke, Surgery, or Fall?
Medicare often covers:
- Inpatient rehab hospitals
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Home health therapy (if you’re homebound and recovering)
- Outpatient physical or occupational therapy
Covered under
Part A (inpatient) or
Part B (outpatient/home health)
You may need prior authorization or a referral depending on your
Medicare Advantage plan.
What About Long-Term Care?
If you need
custodial care for:
- Chronic illness
- Memory loss
- Incontinence
- Ongoing help with activities of daily living (ADLs)
Medicare will not pay for it.
You may need to explore:
- Medi-Cal (for low-income individuals who meet asset tests)
- Long-term care insurance
- Private pay options
- PACE programs (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)
FAQs: Medicare Rehab & Long-Term Care
1. Does Medicare cover nursing home stays?
Yes, for
short-term rehab only
No, for
permanent custodial care
2. Can I get home health rehab after surgery?
Yes, if you’re
homebound and your doctor certifies it as medically necessary.
3. Will Medicare pay for rehab twice in one year?
Yes, if you meet the qualifications
again (3-day inpatient stay, medical necessity, etc.)
4. Can Medi-Cal help with long-term care?
Yes — Medi-Cal covers
nursing home care for those who meet income and asset limits. We can help you determine eligibility.
Let Us Help You Understand Your Rehab & Long-Term Care Options
At
Peace & Grace Insurance Services, we:
- Explain what Medicare pays for after a hospital stay
- Help you plan for rehab or skilled care
- Connect you with Medi-Cal or long-term care solutions
- Make sure you're not surprised by out-of-pocket costs
Call/Text:
209-812-4026
Email:
CSinsurepng@icloud.com
Proudly serving all counties in California
