Paying for care
Checking Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help
People who struggle with Medicare expenses may qualify for assistance.
Read guideInsurance and benefits
Understand who pays for what.
Coverage follows the service, eligibility rules, and program—not simply the name of a facility. Use these guides to prepare the right questions.
Identify the benefit
Separate Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, Medigap, private health insurance, and long-term-care insurance.
Verify your situation
Check the exact service, state program, plan year, provider participation, approvals, exclusions, and remaining cost.
Get the decision in writing
Ask the payer or provider for an explanation of coverage and patient responsibility. Keep notices and ask about appeal rights when coverage is denied.
Insurance & paying for care
Explore this topic →Paying for care
Medicare Medicaid insurance and private pay: separating the bills
One care arrangement can involve several payers.
Read guidePaying for care
Preparing a care budget that includes more than the monthly rate
A useful care budget includes the regular bill, occasional expenses, and a plan for changes.
Read guideSkilled home health
Explore this topic →Home health
Choose a home health agency using care needs and coverage
Compare home health agencies by referral acceptance, service availability, communication, public information, and coverage.
Read guideHome health
Coordinate home health and palliative care at home
Coordinate skilled home health and palliative care with distinct team roles, contacts, visit schedules, and payment checks.
Read guideHome health
Plan for the days after home health ends
Prepare for home health discharge by confirming follow-up, continuing supplies, remaining assistance, and coverage notices.
Read guideHospice care
Explore this topic →Hospice
Plan daily help when hospice is provided at home
Build a realistic daily support schedule around hospice visits, family availability, paid help, and respite arrangements.
Read guideHospice
Questions to ask when choosing a hospice provider
Ask hospice providers about acceptance, visits, after-hours response, coordination, and expenses that remain with the household.
Read guideHospice
Receive hospice while living in a care home or ALF
Clarify the separate responsibilities and charges of a residential care setting and a visiting hospice team.
Read guidePalliative care
Explore this topic →Palliative care
Ask about palliative care at home
Ask about home-based palliative visits, daily assistance, team communication, availability, and the cost of remaining needs.
Read guidePalliative care
Choose a living arrangement while receiving palliative care
Compare home and residential living arrangements while receiving palliative care using assistance, accessibility, and total expenses.
Read guidePalliative care
Palliative care and hospice: questions that clarify the difference
Compare palliative care and hospice through treatment goals, eligibility, practical support, living arrangements, and coverage.
Read guideNursing homes & skilled nursing
Explore this topic →Nursing homes
How to compare nursing homes using public records and a visit
Use Medicare Care Compare, state records, and direct questions together.
Read guideNursing homes
Nursing home costs when Medicare skilled coverage ends
Prepare for the financial transition from a covered skilled stay to another arrangement.
Read guideNursing homes
Planning a nursing home discharge back to the community
Organize housing, assistance, services, equipment, and payment before leaving a facility.
Read guideDisability & community living
Explore this topic →Disability support
Comparing accessible living arrangements for a disabled adult
An accessible home must work for the person’s actual routines, equipment, communication, and support.
Read guideDisability support
Finding a Center for Independent Living and local support
A Center for Independent Living can be a useful starting point when a disabled adult wants information or support for community living.
Read guideDisability support
Organizing personal assistance while protecting choice and privacy
Personal assistance works best when responsibilities and boundaries are understood by everyone involved.
Read guide