Medicare can cover a short-term skilled nursing facility stay after a qualifying hospital stay, up to 100 days per benefit period, with a daily coinsurance after day 20. It doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicaid may cover long-term nursing home care, and some home and community care, if you meet your state's rules.
Who this is for
People planning for a nursing home stay after a hospitalization, or for long-term care, and family members handling the paperwork.
Medicare skilled nursing facility (SNF) care, 2026
| Days in a benefit period | You pay (Original Medicare) |
|---|---|
| Days 1–20 | $0 per day, after the $1,736 Part A deductible (not owed again if already paid for a hospital stay in the same benefit period) |
| Days 21–100 | $217 per day |
| Day 101 and beyond | All costs |
To qualify you generally need: a medically necessary inpatient hospital stay of at least 3 days in a row (the discharge day doesn't count, and time under observation or in the ER doesn't count); admission to the SNF usually within 30 days; a need for daily skilled care; and a Medicare-certified SNF. Medicare Advantage plans may have different copays and may waive the 3-day rule; check with the plan.
Long-term care
Long-term (custodial) care, meaning help with bathing, dressing and other daily activities, isn't covered by Medicare or by most Medigap policies, whether at home, in assisted living or in a nursing home. Ways people pay include savings and income, long-term care insurance, and Medicaid if eligible. Veterans' benefits may also help in some cases.
Medicaid in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, a person can be Medicaid-eligible for nursing facility care if they meet financial rules and are clinically eligible, meaning they need 24-hour care for medical monitoring and nursing, restorative or rehab care, certain medication administration, or help with 2 or more activities of daily living (RSA 151-E:3). The Choices for Independence (CFI) program uses the same nursing-facility level of care to fund services at home or in a residential care setting instead of a nursing home.
For free, unbiased help with Medicare and Medicaid options, call an NH Aging & Disability Resource Center at 1-866-634-9412.
Questions to ask
- Hospital: Am I an inpatient or under observation? How many inpatient days will count?
- Nursing home: Do you accept Medicare for this stay and Medicaid if I need long-term care later? What does the private-pay rate include?
- Plan: If I have Medicare Advantage, what are the SNF copays and is prior authorization needed?
This guide is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. For decisions about your situation, talk with your doctor, the hospital or facility social worker, an Aging & Disability Resource Center, or an elder-law attorney.
Official sources
- Medicare: Skilled nursing facility care (2026 costs)
- Medicare: Long-term care
- Medicare: Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home (PDF)
- NH RSA 151-E:3 (Medicaid eligibility for nursing facility services)
- NH DHHS: Choices for Independence (Medicaid manual 239)
- Medicaid.gov: where to get help
Sources checked Nov 11, 2026. Rules and dollar amounts change, usually each January; confirm with the source.