Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), provide 24-hour medical care for people who need clinical services on top of help with daily activities. They are the highest level of long-term care and cost the most, typically $8,000 to $12,000 per month. We track 14,622 nursing home providers nationally, and Medicare covers a limited stay after a qualifying hospital admission.
Key takeaways
- Nursing homes are for people who need 24-hour skilled medical care, not just help with daily activities.
- Median cost is about $9,000 per month for a semi-private room, higher for a private room, and rises to $12,000+ in high-cost states.
- Medicare covers up to 100 days per benefit period after a qualifying 3-day hospital stay. Days 1 to 20 are fully covered, days 21 to 100 have a daily copay.
- Medicaid pays for long-term nursing home care once assets are spent down to state eligibility limits. This is how most long-term nursing home stays are financed.
- CMS rates every nursing home 1 to 5 stars on health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. Use the ratings and read the inspection reports.
What is Nursing Homes?
A nursing home, also called a skilled nursing facility, is a licensed medical facility for people who need round-the-clock clinical care. Residents typically have complex medical needs: recovery from stroke or surgery, advanced dementia with feeding tubes, IV medications, complex wound care, or ventilator support. Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses are on staff 24 hours a day, along with certified nursing aides for personal care. Rooms are usually semi-private, though private rooms are available for a higher fee. Nursing homes offer two kinds of stays. Short-term rehab stays, usually after a hospitalization, are typically covered by Medicare. Long-term custodial stays for people who cannot go home are typically covered by Medicaid or private pay. Every U.S. nursing home is inspected and rated by CMS, and the results are public.
How much does nursing homes cost?
Median: $8,669/month · based on 14,622 nursing homes providers we track
Nursing homes are the most expensive long-term care option. National median is about $9,000 per month for a semi-private room and $10,300 for a private room. In high-cost states like Alaska, California, and the Northeast, private rooms can run $15,000 or more per month.
The rate includes room and board, meals, all medical care, therapy services, and personal care. It does not usually cover barber and hair services, television, telephone, or a private-duty companion. Ask for a written list of what is and is not included.
For short-term rehab stays after a hospitalization, Medicare pays 100 percent for the first 20 days, then a daily copay (~$204 in 2026) for days 21 to 100. After 100 days, Medicare pays nothing. Most long-term stays are financed through Medicaid after the resident spends down their assets.
Who is nursing homes right for?
Nursing Homes is usually the right fit when your loved one is:
- Recovering from a stroke, hip replacement, or major surgery and needs short-term rehab
- Has complex medical needs that require daily nursing (IV meds, wound care, tube feeding, ventilator support)
- Advanced dementia with medical complications that memory care cannot handle
- Cannot safely be cared for at home even with round-the-clock aides
- Assisted living or memory care can no longer meet their level of care
- Family member with terminal illness who needs skilled care and family support
Services typically included
- 24-hour skilled nursing (RNs and LPNs)
- Certified nursing aide (CNA) help with all activities of daily living
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Medication administration including IV meds and injections
- Wound care, catheter care, tube feeding, oxygen, ventilator support
- Medical director and consulting physicians
- Nutritional planning by a registered dietitian
- Rehabilitation programs for stroke, orthopedic surgery, cardiac events
- End-of-life care with hospice
How to pay for nursing homes
Medicare
Medicare Part A covers up to 100 days per benefit period, but ONLY after a qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay AND for skilled care (rehab or nursing) that a doctor certifies is medically necessary. Days 1 to 20 are fully covered; days 21 to 100 have a daily copay. Medicare stops paying the day skilled care is no longer needed.
Medicaid
Medicaid is the primary payer for long-term nursing home care in the U.S. Eligibility requires spending down assets to a state-set limit (usually about $2,000 for the resident, with protections for a community spouse). Every state has different rules. Plan for this with an elder-law attorney if the stay will be long.
Long-term care insurance
Most policies cover nursing home care. Confirm the daily benefit, elimination period, and total lifetime benefit before assuming coverage. Some older policies have low daily maximums that will not cover today's costs.
VA benefits
The VA pays for nursing home care for veterans with service-connected disabilities and certain income-qualifying veterans through State Veterans Homes and community nursing home contracts. Availability is limited. A VSO can help you navigate.
Private pay
Families pay privately from savings, pensions, home sale proceeds, and adult children's contributions until eligible for Medicaid. This is why long-term care planning matters. Nursing home costs can drain a lifetime of savings in 2 to 3 years.
How to choose a nursing homes provider
- Start with CMS star ratings at Medicare.gov/care-compare. Do not stop there. Read the inspection reports.
- Visit unannounced. Ask about odors, meal quality, staff attitude, and how quickly call lights are answered.
- Ask about staffing ratios by shift. Overnight staffing is often the weakest.
- Ask about resident-to-CNA ratios during meals. Bad ratios are a red flag for residents who need help eating.
- Ask what percentage of admissions are Medicare vs Medicaid. High-Medicaid facilities can have less funding per resident.
- Get the Ombudsman program contact information for your state and use it if you see problems.
Nursing Homes vs other care types
Nursing Homes vs Assisted Living
Explore Assisted LivingAssisted living costs about half as much and works for people who need daily help but not clinical care. If your loved one is medically stable and just needs help bathing, dressing, and taking medications, assisted living is the right level. Nursing home level is for people who need daily clinical intervention.
Nursing Homes vs Memory Care
Explore Memory CareMemory care handles most dementia cases well. Nursing homes are for dementia patients with complex medical needs (tube feeding, advanced physical decline, hospice care) or for people who cannot afford memory care and qualify for Medicaid nursing home coverage.
Nursing Homes vs Hospice Care
Explore Hospice CareHospice can be delivered inside a nursing home, at home, or at a dedicated hospice facility. It is a benefit, not a place. Medicare covers hospice fully for people with a life-expectancy of 6 months or less. Ask about hospice earlier than most families do — the average hospice enrollment is far shorter than the benefit allows.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing home cost per month?
The national median is about $9,000 for a semi-private room and $10,300 for a private room. High-cost states can run $15,000 or more. The rate covers room, meals, medical care, therapy, and personal care.
Does Medicare pay for a nursing home?
Medicare covers up to 100 days per benefit period after a qualifying 3-day hospital stay, and only while skilled care is medically necessary. Days 1 to 20 are fully covered; days 21 to 100 have a daily copay. Medicare does NOT cover long-term custodial care.
How does Medicaid pay for a nursing home?
Medicaid covers long-term nursing home care for people who meet income and asset limits (usually about $2,000 in countable assets for the resident, with protections for a community spouse). Every state has different rules. This is how most long-term stays are financed.
What are CMS star ratings?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rate every U.S. nursing home 1 to 5 stars based on health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures. Use the overall rating as a starting point, then read the inspection reports at Medicare.gov/care-compare.
What is the difference between a nursing home and assisted living?
Nursing homes provide 24-hour skilled medical care by nurses. Assisted living provides help with daily activities in an apartment setting. Nursing homes cost roughly twice as much and are for people with serious medical needs.
Can I move my parent out of a nursing home?
Yes, though it depends on their health. If they no longer need skilled care, options include moving to assisted living, memory care, or back home with home care support. Talk to the discharge planner or social worker at the facility.
How do I file a complaint about a nursing home?
Contact your state Long-Term Care Ombudsman, an independent advocate for residents. Complaints can also be filed with the state health department. All facilities are required to post Ombudsman contact info visibly.