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HOW CAN I GET HELP PAYING FOR ASSISTED LIVING? Even though Medicare doesn’t cover the associated costs of assisted living facilities, you can get help paying for them with: LONG-TERM CARE

INSURANCE. If you have a long-term care insurance policy, you’ll usually have coverage for assisted living facilities. After a predetermined waiting period, the policy will generally pay if

you need help with at least two activities of daily living — such as bathing, dressing and eating — or if you have cognitive impairment. Some older long-term care policies may pay out

smaller benefits for assisted living than for nursing homes. Most newer policies cover them at the same rate. MEDICAID IN SOME STATES. Medicaid generally covers nursing homes for people with

low income and assets. But some states have waiver programs that provide some Medicaid coverage for assisted living to eligible applicants. The rules vary by state. Some have enrollment

caps and long waiting lists to qualify for assisted living coverage. It’s important to note that once your state finds you eligible for a Medicaid waiver, if you move out of state — for

example, to an assisted living facility near a family member in another state — your eligibility in the state where you became eligible is no longer valid. You can’t be eligible in two

states. Contact your state Medicaid agency or Area Agency on Aging for specifics. VETERANS BENEFITS. Some military veterans and surviving spouses who receive a VA pension can qualify for Aid

and Attendance benefits to help pay for care in a nursing home, assisted living facility or within their own home. To qualify, the veteran must meet service, asset and income requirements.

A doctor must certify that you need help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing and eating. For more information, contact your regional VA office or an accredited 

veterans service organization. KEEP IN MIND MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS TYPICALLY WON’T HELP. Private Medicare Advantage plans, an alternative to original Medicare, must cover at least the same

medical services as Medicare Part A and Part B. But they usually have different copayments and deductibles and may require you to use a provider network. IN-HOME HELP MAY BE MORE ROBUST. 

Even though Medicare Advantage plans don’t cover assisted living, some provide additional coverage that can help with caregiving needs such as adult day care, caregiving support, limited

meals at home and transportation to medical appointments. The specific benefits and limitations vary a lot from plan to plan. Find out more about the plans available in your area by using

the Medicare Plan Finder. Then ask a plan that you’re interested in for more information about the additional coverage. Return to Medicare Q&A main page