Phil Cannella explains that many people seem to think that Medicare will cover long term care costs such as: stays in a nursing home or costs for a caregiver to provide in-home services. Sadly it is no so, many people have this misconception and Phil Cannella is finding himself giving more and more people the facts on the subject.
Medicare only covers medically necessary care and focuses on medical acute care, such as doctor visits, drugs, and hospital stays. Medicare coverage also focuses on short-term services for conditions that are expected to improve, such as physical therapy to help you regain your function after a fall or stroke. Medicare does not pay the largest part of long-term care services or personal care—such as help with bathing, or for supervision often called custodial care.
Phil Cannella explains however that there are some circumstances where Medicare will pay for skilled nursing care but certain requirements need to be met. Medicare will help pay for a short stay in a skilled nursing facility, for hospice care, or for home health care if you meet the following conditions:
• You have had a recent prior hospital stay of at least three days.
• You are admitted to a Medicare-certified nursing facility within 30 days of your prior hospital stay.
• You need skilled care, such as skilled nursing services, physical therapy, or other types of therapy.
However, Phil Cannella says that there is a catch. Medicare will pay for some of your costs only up to 100 days. For the first 20 days Medicare will cover all of your costs. From day 21 to day 100 you have to pay your own expenses up to $140.00 a day, after which Medicare pays the balance.
Medicare pays for the following services for a limited time when your doctor says they are medically necessary to treat an illness or injury:
• Part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care;
• Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology that your doctor orders that a Medicare-certified home health agency provides for a limited number of days only;
• Medical social services to help cope with the social, psychological, cultural, and medical issues that result from an illness. This may include help accessing services and follow-up care, explaining how to use health care and other resources, and help understanding your disease;
• Medical supplies and durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen, and walkers. For durable medical equipment, you pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount.
There is no limit on how long you can receive any of these services as long as they remain medically necessary and your doctor reorders them every 60 days. Medicare provides limited services for a limited amount of time. Phil Cannella urges seniors to consider long term-care insurance as a better solution to provide for the likelihood that skilled care will be needed at some point in life. Phil Cannella has been offering long-term care insurance to consumers for almost 40 years.