If you’re a senior, the future may present more of a concern than it once did–you may wonder what you’ll do if your health deteriorates. If you must enter a nursing home, for example, how will you pay for it? Fortunately, you may have several options. One such option is long-term care insurance (LTCI). Government-regulated programs can also help. These include Medicare, Medigap, and Medicaid.
If you lack sufficient resources to pay for long-term care on your own, should you buy LTCI, rely only on government programs, or use an LTCI policy to supplement government benefits? Before you can answer this question, you’ll need to know what types of long-term care are covered under each program. Figuring out where one program leaves off and another begins can be a challenge, so here’s an overview.
What is intermediate care?
Intermediate care is care needed on only an occasional basis (daily or a few times a week), and is less specialized than skilled care. It is provided by trained medical workers under the supervision of a doctor.
Medicare and intermediate care
Medicare may cover certain types of intermediate care, but only under specific conditions. For example, it covers skilled nursing care, physical therapy, and speech therapy services provided in your home, but only if you are confined to your home and a doctor orders the services. Intermediate care in a nursing home is typically not covered by Medicare.
Medigap and intermediate care
Most Medigap policies provide an additional amount per at-home visit for intermediate care, but only if a doctor orders the services as a follow-up to an injury or illness. Intermediate care received in a nursing home is typically not covered by Medigap.