Does Medicare Cover Assisted Living?

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover assisted living. This is one of the most significant and widely misunderstood gaps in Medicare coverage. The reason comes down to a single distinction: Medicare only pays for medically necessary skilled care — it does not pay for custodial care.

Custodial care refers to help with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and transferring. This is exactly the type of care provided in assisted living facilities. Because custodial care is not considered medically necessary under Medicare's definition, it is explicitly excluded from coverage regardless of how long you need it or how much it costs.

Medicare Part A does cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) following a qualifying hospital stay of at least three days — but this is not the same as assisted living. SNF coverage is temporary (up to 100 days), requires skilled nursing or therapy services, and ends once you no longer need skilled care. Assisted living is a long-term residential arrangement, not a short-term medical stay.

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) must cover everything Original Medicare covers, and many offer supplemental benefits that Original Medicare does not. However, no Medicare Advantage plan covers the room and board costs of assisted living — that remains entirely excluded.

What some Medicare Advantage plans do offer are supplemental benefits that can reduce the burden of care at home or in a facility. These may include meal delivery after a hospital stay, non-emergency medical transportation, in-home support services, personal emergency response systems, and caregiver support programs. These benefits vary significantly by plan and ZIP code.

If you or a loved one is considering assisted living, it is worth reviewing the Evidence of Coverage for any Medicare Advantage plan to understand what supplemental benefits are included. A licensed Medicare agent can help you compare plans in your area.

Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap) are designed to fill the cost-sharing gaps in Original Medicare — things like the Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, and excess charges. Because Medigap only pays secondary to Original Medicare, it cannot cover services that Medicare itself does not cover.

Since Original Medicare excludes assisted living entirely, no Medigap plan — including the most comprehensive options like Plan G or Plan F — will contribute anything toward assisted living costs. Beneficiaries with Medigap who need long-term care coverage must look to other options such as Medicaid, long-term care insurance, or private funds.