Does Medicare cover long-term care (LTC) services?

Medicare does not cover long-term care services, which is why the choice stating that it does not cover these services is accurate. Long-term care typically includes assistance with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing, and eating, which are not included under Medicare's coverage. Medicare primarily provides coverage for hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, and certain home health services, but it has strict guidelines.

Medicare may cover short-term stays in nursing facilities if the individual meets specific eligibility requirements, such as having been an inpatient in the hospital for at least three days prior to the skilled nursing facility admission. However, this short-term coverage is not considered long-term care and does not apply to custodial care, which is what most individuals require in long-term care situations. Understanding this distinction is important, as it highlights the limitations of Medicare in providing comprehensive care for ongoing needs associated with aging or chronic conditions.