In short
Long-term care is ongoing help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing and eating, at home or in a facility. Skilled nursing is care that needs licensed nurses or therapists, often short term after a hospital stay. Medicare may cover up to 100 days of skilled nursing when the rules are met, but not long-term custodial care.
Side by side
^ Long-term care and skilled nursing compared
| Long-term care | Skilled nursing | |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| What | Help with daily activities, supervision | Nursing or therapy by licensed staff |
| How long | Months or years | Often days or weeks |
| Medicare | Not covered when it's the only care | Up to 100 days per benefit period, when eligible |
| Usual payers | Private funds, Medicaid, long-term care insurance | Medicare, then other coverage |
Short stay, long stay
Many nursing homes have short-stay rehab residents and long-stay residents. Medicare's Care Compare reports quality measures for both groups separately.
Questions families ask
Is a nursing home long-term care or skilled nursing?
Both. Nursing homes provide skilled nursing and long-term custodial care.
How long does Medicare pay for skilled nursing?
Up to 100 days per benefit period: $0 for days 1 to 20 and $217 a day for days 21 to 100 in 2026.
What happens when skilled care ends?
If your parent still needs help, the stay becomes long-term care, usually paid privately or by Medicaid.
Does Medicaid pay for long-term care?
For people who qualify, Medicaid pays for nursing home care and many programs at home.