What
is the difference between MediCARE and MediCAID, and doesn't MediCARE cover a nursing
home stay?
MEDICARE is your
government health insurance. It covers medical expenses such as hospital and
doctor charges. It has a limited benefit for a nursing home stay, but only if
you are hospitalized for at least three days, require skilled nursing care, and
are continuing to benefit medically. Under those circumstances, you may be
entitled to benefits (100 days, at the most). Under ANY other
circumstances, you are on your own. MEDICARE does not pay for long-term care. MEDICAID, on the other hand, is the Federally funded,
state administered program designed to provide long term care (nursing home,
foster care, in-home care, etc.), but only after the patient meets certain
financial conditions.
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©2003 The Financial Aid Center for Long Term Care