How Much does Medicare Actually Pay?

Medicare does not cover custodial care, which is care that helps you with usual daily activities, such as walking, eating, bathing, dressing, toileting and transferring.

Medicare does pay for short-term skilled nursing care for up to 100 days, but only after at least 3 days immediately prior to entering a nursing facility. Skilled nursing care is not the same as long-term care. Skilled care is healthcare given when you need skilled nursing or rehabilitation staff to manage, observe and evaluate your care. Examples of skilled care include changing sterile dressings and physical therapies that are provided in a SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility). Care that can be given by non-professional staff is not considered skilled care.

How much is covered by Medicare?

For Days	Medicare Pays for covered Services	You Pay for covered Services
1 - 20	Full Cost	Nothing
21 - 100	All but a Daily Co-payment*	A Daily Co-payment*
Beyond 100	Nothing	Full Cost