Does Medicare Cover Memory Care?
Short answer
Original Medicare generally does not cover memory-care room and board or long-term custodial supervision, even when a resident has Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.
Coverage
Medicare can still cover eligible dementia evaluation, physician services, therapy, hospital care, drugs and other medically necessary treatment.
Not Automatic
A dementia diagnosis does not transform residential supervision, personal care or room and board into a Medicare medical benefit.
Costs And Ma
Medicaid and state long-term-care programs may be relevant. Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits vary by plan and year.
Practical Example
Part B may cover a cognitive assessment or treatment visit for a memory-care resident while the facility’s residential charge remains outside Original Medicare.
Questions to verify
- Which services are medical versus custodial?
- Could Medicaid help with long-term-care costs?
- Does the current plan offer any supplemental caregiver support?