Does Medicare Pay for Assisted Living?

Medicare generally does not pay the ongoing room-and-board cost of living in an assisted living home. However, a person living in assisted living may still use Medicare for covered medical services just as they would while living elsewhere.

What Medicare may still cover

Depending on eligibility and medical need, Medicare may cover services such as doctor visits, hospital care, certain therapies, durable medical equipment, prescription coverage through a Part D plan, or qualifying home health services.

Those benefits are different from paying the facility’s monthly housing and personal-care bill.

Ask the facility to separate the costs

When comparing homes, ask what portion of the monthly charge is for housing, meals and personal care, and whether any outside medical or home-health services are billed separately.

This makes it easier to understand which costs may be covered by insurance and which remain the resident’s responsibility.

What about Medicaid or other programs?

Some people may qualify for Medicaid-funded services or other Michigan programs that can help with certain care costs. Eligibility and coverage vary by program.

Read our Medicaid and Assisted Living in Michigan guide for more information.

Find a Michigan assisted living home

Use the Michigan Assisted Living Home Guide to compare facilities by location, facility type, who they serve and published licensing information.