Paying for nursing-home care in California
How Medicare, Medi-Cal, long-term-care insurance, and private payment fit together.
Coverage is not interchangeable
Medicare may cover qualifying skilled care for a limited period; it is not a general long-term custodial-care benefit. Medi-Cal may cover long-term facility care for eligible people. Private payment and long-term-care insurance depend on the contract and current rates.
Ask for the full price in writing
- Daily room rate and what it includes
- Therapy, supplies, transportation, pharmacy, and physician charges
- Bed-hold and leave policies
- Deposit, arbitration, guarantor, and responsible-party language
- What happens if coverage changes or an appeal is pending
Never sign as a personal guarantor without understanding the document. Ask for time to review the admission agreement and keep a complete copy.
For Medicare counseling, contact California HICAP at 1-800-434-0222. For Medi-Cal eligibility, use your county office or the California Department of Health Care Services.