Cary NC Elder Law Attorney
A common question I hear from clients and colleagues is: “Doesn’t Medicare pay for skilled nursing or nursing home care in North Carolina?” It seems like it should, right? Medicare is primarily a health insurance program for retired and elderly individuals. Skilled nursing and nursing home care is generally needed by elderly individuals. It would make sense that Medicare should pay for nursing home care. Well, when it comes to long-term care in a nursing home, Medicare just doesn’t cover it – at least not all of it.
What Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare will pay for rehabilitation care in a skilled nursing facility if a Medicare recipient spends at least three (3) days in a hospital and then is transferred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation care. But Medicare will only pay for such care as long as the Medicare recipient’s condition is improving during their stay, and only for a maximum of 100 days. Yes, ONLY 100 days. After that, Medicare coverage stops and the recipient must either magically be better, private pay, or have some other means of paying for treatment (i.e., Medicaid coverage, generous relatives, or a long-term care insurance policy).
It Gets Worse
While Medicare will pay for up to 100 days of treatment in a skilled nursing facility under the circumstances listed above, it will only pay the full amount for the first 20 days of treatment. After that, there is a deductible of $164.50 per day from Days 21-100. That means a person can be required to pay over $13,000 over and above what Medicare will cover during those 100 days.
Medicare supplemental insurance can help to cover most if not all of that difference, though.
Author Bio
Paul Yokabitus
Founder & Estate Planning Lawyer
Paul Yokabitus is the founder of Cary Estate Planning, where he helps North Carolina families protect what matters most through wills, trusts, probate, and special needs planning. Known for his “planning, not paperwork” approach, Paul turns complex legal concepts into clear, practical strategies so clients feel informed and confident at every step. He has been recognized as a Business North Carolina Legal Elite attorney and a Super Lawyers Rising Star, and was named to the Triangle Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. A graduate of Campbell University School of Law, Paul lives in the Triangle with his wife, Alix, and their two sons.
Linkedin | Avvo | SuperLawyers
How We Help North Carolina Families
Paul and his team at Cary Estate Planning are fully committed to creating a personalized experience to develop thorough and comprehensive estate plans. They value their clients and go above and beyond to make sure that no details are missed. I would highly recommend Paul to anyone looking to create an estate plan.
I was referred to Paul by my Real Estate Attorney and I could not say enough about how exceptional the client service has been from everyone I spoke to. The communication is prompt and I feel like they really took the time to answer all my questions and set things up exactly as I wanted, but also recommended things to make it easier on my family down the line.
After attending one of Paul’s estate planning seminars, my husband and I knew we wanted Paul to assist us with our estate planning. His honest, professional approach to this necessary part of life put us at ease with the process. We will continue to recommend Paul and Cary Estate Planning.
We had a great experience working with Paul Yokabitus and the team at Cary Estate Planning to set up our Will and Estate Plan. The process was clear and easy, and in the age of COVID, our signing session was very well done, easy, and safe.
The Cary Estate Planning team will make sure that you have the information you need to be confident in your estate planning decisions. I learned so much from videos, a one-on-one in-person consultation, the website, emails, and a newsletter mailed the old fashioned way. The fee is very reasonable given the importance of estate planning. No matter the size or number of your assets, don’t procrastinate like I did!
Paul is a masterful attorney. He’s very good at taking your intentions and defining that into a durable Trust and Will. Best of all he is as simple and plain-spoken as you like. Or as fast as intellectual as you may be. It’s all about your your speed and your desired outcomes. Would strongly recommend this firm.
Trusted Estate Planning
Attorney Offices in Cary and Raleigh
Capability to meet virtually to help all NC residents
