Does Medicare pay for assisted living, and how do I check a place?

Does Medicare pay for assisted living?

Medicare does not pay for rent, meals, or help in assisted living. Medicare still pays for your parent's doctor visits and other covered care while they live there.

In some states, Medicaid may help pay for care in assisted living. Ask your state Medicaid office. Read what will Medicare and Medicaid pay for as my parent ages?.

Who checks assisted living?

States license and inspect assisted living, not Medicare. So the rules and the reports differ by state.

Our assisted living finder lists homes from state license lists. Where a state publishes inspection reports, the home's page links to them.

Questions to ask a home

What does the monthly price include, and what costs extra? What happens if my parent needs more care later? Can I see your latest state inspection report? Do you have memory care?

Checklist

• Look up the home's state license on PlanScout.
• Open the state inspection report if one is linked.
• Get the monthly price and what it includes in writing.
• Ask what happens if care needs grow.
• Ask your state Medicaid office if Medicaid can help.

Common questions