Finding a Caregiver is easy with Care.com.

Visit Site

Medicaid and Medicare Memory Care Coverage

Maureen Stanley Maureen Stanley Writer & Editor

SeniorLiving.org is compensated when you click on the provider links listed on this page. This compensation does not impact our ratings or reviews. Read our Editorial Guidelines here to learn more about our review process and to learn more about how we are compensated.

Find Memory Care Near You

Join 1,019,247 Seniors Who've Searched for Housing Communities on SeniorLiving.org.

Please enter a valid zip
Or Call: (855) 241-1699

Find Memory Care Near You

Please enter a valid zip

Memory care is a key factor in providing specialized aid to older adults living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. If you or your loved one need memory care, understanding your health care coverage options, your medical rights, and how to pay for out-of-pocket costs is an important part of the process. As you begin this journey, know that you’re not alone. There are many resources to help you along the way. Let’s examine what Medicare and Medicaid cover (and what they don’t) for memory care.

FYI:

FYI: Medicare Annual Enrollment takes place from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 every year. Reviewing your plan each year is essential, as benefits can change annually. Visit our plan comparison guide to ensure you have the right plan for your needs or speak with a licensed insurance agent to understand your options.

Does Medicare Cover Memory Care?

There are over 65 million Americans enrolled in Medicare,1 and many use Medicare as their primary health insurance. Medicare covers some memory care services, but not all, and the out-of-pocket costs can be significant. When it’s time to seek memory care treatment, enrollees may be unaware of Medicare’s lack of coverage.

Memory care falls under Medicare’s long-term care (also known as custodial care). Unfortunately, Medicare and most health insurance, including Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), don’t pay for long-term care.2

Memory Care Services Covered by Medicare

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) may cover some memory care services, including these:

  • Cognitive impairment assessment, diagnosis, and person-centered care planning services
  • Annual wellness visits (12 months after your enrollment in Medicare Part B)
  • Inpatient hospitalization to treat an injury or illness
  • Up to 100 days of skilled nursing care (must meet Medicare requirements)
  • Durable medical equipment (DMEs)
  • Home health care
  • Hospice care costs for pain relief and management in end-stage dementia
  • Inpatient care for clinical research studies
Find the Right Housing Options for You

Our free housing and care finder uses your unique needs to curate a list of the best options in your area.

Additional Memory Care Coverage Options

Original Medicare comes with out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Prescription medications are not covered under Original Medicare.

Before you begin imagining a pile of medical bills, know that Original Medicare isn’t your only option. Medicare also contracts with private insurance companies. These Medicare-approved private policies may aid in reducing out-of-pocket expenses.

  • Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans): Medicare Part C includes Part A, Part B, and often Part D coverage. Some Medicare Part C plans also provide dental and vision benefits.
  • Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plans): Medicare Part D is a prescription drug plan. Visit SeniorLiving.org’s picks for Medicare Part D plans to learn more.
  • Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNPs): Medicare SNPs offer the same benefits as Medicare Part C plans. However, they may cover extra services tailored to the special groups they serve, including dementia patients.3
  • Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap): Medicare Supplement Insurance helps fill in the gaps that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Check out our top picks for Medigap plans to learn more.

Does Medicaid Cover Memory Care?

Memory Care

Over 83 million people in the U.S. receive Medicaid benefits.4 Medicaid aids low-income individuals with limited financial resources. Your age, disability status, and family size may also factor into Medicaid approval.

Memory care falls under Medicaid’s nursing facility services. Nursing facility care is covered under Medicaid, so memory care is as well. How memory care is delivered may vary by state, though. For example, some states may provide long-term nursing care in the home or within Medicare-approved senior living facilities, while other states may only provide one option.

From the pros:

From the pros: Don’t rule out your Medicaid eligibility! In fact, 12 million people are “dually eligible,” meaning they’re enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare.5 When in doubt, contact your State Medicaid Agency for clarification (even if you’ve received a denial in previous years).

Memory Care Services Covered by Medicaid

As Medicaid is a joint federal and state benefit, certain Medicaid benefits are federally mandatory. In addition to these mandatory Medicaid benefits, states have the option to provide extra benefits. Check with your State Medicaid Agency to take advantage of all memory care benefits available to you or your loved one.

Mandatory Medicaid memory care services include the following:5

  • Nursing facility services (including memory care)
  • Inpatient hospital services
  • Outpatient hospital services
  • Early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services
  • Home health services
  • Physician services
  • Prescription drugs
  • Federally qualified health center services
  • Laboratory and X-ray services
  • Transportation to medical care
Speak With a Senior Living Consultant

Our team of senior living advisors provide free guidance to help you find the right housing option for your needs and budget.

How Do I Pay for Memory Care?

There are many pieces in the memory care puzzle, so it’s essential to ask for help from your hospital discharge planner, care coordinator, or social worker. They often have resources for programs or facilities that work with those who can’t afford memory care’s out-of-pocket costs.

Since only a portion of memory care is covered by Medicare and Medicaid, older adults must find supplemental ways to pay for memory care costs. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends exploring these resources:

Interested in learning more about the benefits of long-term care insurance? Jeff Hoyt, our editor-in-chief, explains how to shop for and choose the right long-term care insurance in the video below.

What if I Can’t Afford Memory Care Coverage?

Older adults living on a fixed income may not have the personal savings to supplement mounting memory care costs. No matter your situation, check with these Medicare and Medicaid programs to see if you qualify for additional financial aid:

Inside tip:

Inside tip: Our memory care guide shares everything you need to know about memory care services and facilities, and our guide to memory care costs takes you through the various costs of memory care and common ways to pay.

Where Can I Find Medicaid and Medicare Memory Care Services Near Me?

As you begin your search for a memory care facility, remember that some facilities choose not to accept Medicaid or Medicare. It’s essential to confirm the facility is a Medicare- or Medicaid-approved center for memory care services.

Your care planning team through Medicaid or Medicare is an excellent resource to help you find the right memory care facility for your own or your loved one’s needs. You can contact Medicaid or Medicare directly for confirmation of coverage to ensure you have the latest memory care coverage information.

  • Medicaid recipients: Contact your State Medicaid Agency.
  • Medicare recipients: Call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). TTY users call 877-486-2048.

Through Medicare’s Find & Compare search tool, you can also review ratings for local nursing homes and health agencies, and obtain estimates for doctors’ costs in your area. You will need to have (or create) a secure Medicare account to use this search feature.

From the experts:

From the experts: Dr. Abby Altman, a geropsychologist and senior mental health expert, walks you through all of the considerations for choosing a memory care facility.

Citations
  1. Centers for Medicare Advocacy. (2023). Medicare Enrollment Numbers.

  2. Medicare.gov. (2021). Medicare & You 2022.

  3. Medicare.gov. (2021). How Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNPs) work.

  4. Medicaid.gov. (2021). March 2021 Medicaid & CHIP Enrollment Data Highlights

  5. Medicaid.gov. (2021). Seniors & Medicare and Medicaid Enrollees.

  6. Medicaid.gov. (2021). Mandatory & Optional Medicaid Benefits.

  7. Alzheimer’s Association. (2021). Paying for Care.

Written By:
Maureen Stanley
Writer & Editor
Read About Our Panel of Experts
Maureen joined SeniorLiving.org with more than 10 years of experience writing in health, lifestyle, and nutrition for premium brands like General Mills, Westinghouse, and Bristol Myers Squibb. Her passion for empowering older adults is evident in coverage of topics like… Learn More About Maureen Stanley
Need Help? Our Senior Living Consultants are Standing by...
Please enter a valid zip