Shocking Truth About Medicare Skilled Nursing Costs in 2025 — Are You Prepared?

If you or someone you care about might need to stay in a skilled nursing facility (SNF), it’s totally normal to feel a little overwhelmed trying to figure out what Medicare will cover and what you might have to pay out of pocket. Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand.

When Does Medicare Help Pay for Skilled Nursing Care?

Medicare Part A can help cover skilled nursing care, but there are a few things that have to line up first:

• You need to have spent at least three days in the hospital (not counting the day you leave).

• After that hospital stay, you have to get into a Medicare-approved skilled nursing facility within about 30 days.

• Your doctor has to say you need daily skilled nursing or therapy — things like physical therapy, wound care, or other medical treatments — not just help with everyday activities like dressing or eating.

If all those boxes get checked, Medicare Part A steps in to help cover your skilled nursing facility stay.

How Much Will It Cost You?

Here’s the breakdown for 2025:

• For the first 20 days, Medicare pays everything — you don’t owe a thing.

• From day 21 to day 100, you’ll pay about $209.50 a day.

• After day 100, Medicare stops covering the cost, so you’d be responsible for the full amount if you need to stay longer.

That “benefit period” thing means Medicare looks at your hospital and nursing care stays in chunks. Once you’ve been out of care for 60 days straight, a new benefit period starts if you need care again.

What Other Costs Should You Keep in Mind?

If you have Medicare Part B (which most people do), you’ll also have monthly premiums — usually around $185 — plus an annual deductible and coinsurance costs for doctor visits and outpatient care. While that doesn’t directly affect your nursing home bill, it’s something to remember since many people have both Part A and B.

How Can You Manage the Costs Medicare Doesn’t Cover?

If you’re worried about those daily fees after day 20 or anything Medicare doesn’t pay for, here are some options:

• Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) can help cover some of those out-of-pocket costs.

• Medicare Advantage Plans might offer extra coverage, sometimes with lower costs for nursing care.

• If your income is limited, Medicaid could help cover long-term care expenses, but the rules vary depending on where you live.

What Medicare Won’t Cover: Long-Term Custodial Care

One important thing to know: Medicare doesn’t cover long-term custodial care. That means if you need help with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, or eating over a long time, you’ll need to plan for how to pay for that separately.

Medicare offers great help with skilled nursing stays, but it’s not unlimited. You get the first 20 days mostly free, but after that, costs can add up fast. Knowing what to expect helps you plan ahead and avoid surprises.

If you’re thinking about a skilled nursing stay or just want to get ahead on your planning, talk to your doctor or a Medicare expert. They can help you understand your options and make the best choices for your situation.