Skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes)
A skilled nursing facility, commonly called a nursing home, provides nursing care, 24-hour supervision, meals, help with everyday activities and rehabilitation services such as physical, occupational and speech therapy.[1] Medicare Part A covers short-term skilled nursing care after a qualifying hospital stay, but it does not pay for long-term custodial stays.[4][7]
Definition
NIA describes nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, as providing a wide range of health and personal care services, with more focus on medical care than most assisted living facilities or board and care homes.[1] The California Department of Aging notes these facilities are also referred to as convalescent hospitals and serve people recovering from a hospitalization or living with chronic illnesses or disabilities.[2] In California, skilled nursing facilities are regulated by the Licensing and Certification Program of the California Department of Public Health, which also acts as the state survey agency for Medicare and Medi-Cal certification.[3]
Medicare coverage in 2026
Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing facility care on a short-term basis if all conditions are met, including a medically necessary inpatient hospital stay of at least 3 days in a row, entry into a Medicare-certified SNF generally within 30 days of leaving the hospital, and a need for daily skilled care.[4] Time spent under observation or in the emergency room before admission does not count toward the 3 days.[4]
| Days | What the patient pays |
|---|---|
| 1–20 | $0 per day (after the $1,736 Part A deductible, if not already paid for a hospital stay in the same benefit period) |
| 21–100 | $217 per day |
| 101 and beyond | All costs |
Source: Medicare.gov.[4] Medicare Advantage plans may charge copayments in the first 20 days and may waive the 3-day rule.[4]
Cost of nursing home care
| Area | Semi-private room | Private room |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $9,581 | $10,798 |
| California | $12,167 | $15,178 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area | $12,319 | $16,729 |
Source: CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025. Nationally, the private-room median equals $355 per day or $129,575 per year.[8][5][9]
Who pays for long-term nursing home care
People often pay for nursing home care themselves. Medicaid may cover costs for people who are eligible based on income and personal resources, and long-term care insurance may include some coverage.[1] In California, Medi-Cal eligibility for people living in a nursing home is subject to an asset limit of $130,000 for one person from January 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.[10] See Medicare vs Medicaid.
Comparing nursing homes
Medicare’s Care Compare tool rates each nursing home from 1 to 5 stars, with an overall rating and separate ratings for health inspections, staffing and quality measures.[11][12] CMS cautions that no rating system addresses every consideration, such as specialty care or how easy it is for family to visit, and recommends combining the ratings with a visit and other sources.[11]
Scale
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reports 14,700 nursing homes in the United States with 1.6 million licensed beds and 1.2 million residents in 2022; 72.4% had for-profit ownership.[6]
Frequently asked questions
How long does Medicare pay for a nursing home?
Medicare Part A covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing facility care per benefit period for eligible patients. In 2026 days 1-20 cost $0 after the deductible, days 21-100 cost $217 per day, and the patient pays all costs after day 100.[4]
What is the 3-day rule?
Medicare covers SNF care only after a medically necessary inpatient hospital stay of at least 3 consecutive days, not counting the discharge day or time under observation.[4]
How much does a nursing home cost per month?
In 2025 the U.S. median was $9,581 per month for a semi-private room and $10,798 for a private room; in California the medians were $12,167 and $15,178.[5]
See also
References
Web pages accessed September 28, 2026 unless noted. See sources and methodology.
- ^ "Long-Term Care Facilities: Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, and Other Residential Care". National Institute on Aging (NIH).
- ^ "Determine the Best Housing Option For Me". California Department of Aging.
- ^ "Licensing and Certification Program". California Department of Public Health.
- ^ "Skilled nursing facility care (coverage page; 2026 cost-sharing amounts)". Medicare.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 2026 amounts.
- ^ "Cost of Care Survey 2025: Median Cost Data Tables (PDF, dated 03/02/26)". CareScout. 2025 data.
- ^ "FastStats: Nursing Home Care". National Center for Health Statistics, CDC. 2022 data; page last reviewed February 6, 2026.
- ^ "Long-term care (coverage page)". Medicare.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
- ^ "Cost of Care Survey 2025: national median costs". CareScout (formerly the Genworth Cost of Care Survey). Survey fielded July–November 2025.
- ^ "Cost of Care Survey 2025 calculator: San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area". CareScout. 2025 data for the San Diego metropolitan area.
- ^ "Asset Limit Frequently Asked Questions (Medi-Cal)". California Department of Health Care Services. Limits effective January 1, 2026.
- ^ "Five-Star Quality Rating System". Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
- ^ "Care Compare (find and compare nursing homes, home health agencies and hospices)". Medicare.gov. Search tool.