No, Medicare doesn’t pay for assisted living. For residents of assisted living facilities, Medicare support is generally limited to health care-related expenses, such as doctor visits and on-site therapy. It can’t be used to pay for the costs of daily living, such as room and board, or for help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing and dressing. For these services, you or your loved one will need to use private pay methods, such as personal savings or retirement funds.
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Medicare does not cover assisted living or other types of custodial or long-term care.[01] This is true whether your loved one has original Medicare (Parts A and B), a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), or Medigap (supplemental insurance).
Medicare is federal health insurance for older adults and people with certain disabilities that can be used to pay for preventative and medically necessary care, such as doctor visits, prescription drugs, and hospital stays.[02] Assisted living is a type of senior living designed for older adults who are still active and independent but who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Assistance with ADLs is considered nonmedical care and isn’t covered by Medicare.
No, Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of memory care or assisted living for people who have dementia. But seniors who have dementia may benefit from a Medicare Special Needs Plan (SNP), which tailors coverage to people living with specific diseases or conditions.[03] Someone who has dementia could be eligible for a Medicare SNP if they have Medicare Parts A and B and reside in the plan’s service area.[04]
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Since Medicare pays nothing for assisted living, families are responsible for paying the full cost out of pocket, using other benefits, or through a combination of the two.
However, Medicare may cover some products and services that a residents needs while in an assisted living facility, such as:
Read more:Does Medicare Pay for Hospice Care?
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Many seniors use their savings to pay for assisted living. However, the median monthly cost of assisted living in the U.S. is $5,190, according to A Place for Mom’s 2025 Cost of Long-Term Care and Senior Living Report. This is a price that leaves many seniors and families searching for additional ways to pay for care, such as veterans benefits and Medicaid.
Several VA benefits can help cover the cost of long-term care, including in an assisted living community. In most states, Medicaid helps pay for some assisted living services, with varying eligibility requirements. In states where Medicaid doesn’t cover assisted living, it may pay for alternative senior care options, such as in-home care.
If you’ve determined that assisted living is the best option for your loved one, the next step is to find the right community. This process can be overwhelming, especially if you’re on a budget. A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors can help you find local assisted living options that fit your loved one’s unique needs and price range. Plus, they can help set up tours, compare options, and plan the logistics of a move — all at no cost to you or your family.
No, Medicare Part B doesn’t pay for assisted living. Medicare Part B typically only pays for medically necessary services, such as doctor visits, preventive care, or necessary medical equipment.
No, Medicare doesn’t pay for a short-term stay in assisted living since assistance with personal care tasks isn’t considered medically necessary. However, Medicare does pay for medically necessary short-term care in a nursing home.
Yes, Medicare does partly pay for a hospital bed if a doctor prescribes it since it’s considered durable medical equipment. However, hospital beds are not regularly provided in assisted living facilities.
Medicare doesn’t pay for any days in assisted living. However, Medicare may pay for up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility or nursing home, but seniors may incur copays during their stay.
No, Medicare doesn’t pay for adult diapers that seniors may need in assisted living. These and other incontinence supplies are typically paid for out of pocket or with a health savings account.
Yes, Medicare pays for rehabilitation services provided at an assisted living community. In order to be covered, therapy must be considered necessary to help a senior meet a health goal. It’s important to note, though, that not all assisted living communities offer on-site rehabilitation services.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2020, December). Items and services not covered under Medicare.
Social Security Administration. (2025, January). Medicare.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Special needs plans (SNP).
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2024, September 10). Medicare special needs plans.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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