Housing assistance typically comes in programs that help people living on lower incomes access safe and affordable housing. This can be financial support via money or vouchers, or by providing housing for those who need it.
Original Medicare (Part A and B) doesn’t provide housing assistance or cover the cost of nursing homes, long-term care facilities, or housing assistance programs. However, it does cover certain medical-related housing, such as home healthcare, skilled nursing facility stays following a hospital stay, and specific hospice care.
That said, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) programs may provide a stipend for various housing-related expenses, such as groceries or rent.
Original Medicare doesn’t contribute to the rent, mortgage, or other costs of general housing for older adults because it is a health insurance program. As such, covered care must relate to the diagnosis and treatment of a disease, illness, or other health condition.
For this reason, Original Medicare will not pay for non-medical housing or cover non-medical services that you might require during such stays, such as assistance with bathing or eating.
Medicare Part A can help pay for various medically necessary inpatient care, including hospital stays, skilled nursing facility (SNF) care, hospice stays, and certain types of home healthcare.
To get coverage, a doctor needs to formally admit you for treatment of an illness or injury, and the hospital must accept the assignment.
Inpatient services may take place in acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals, long-term care hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, or rehabilitation facilities.
If you’re a Part C enrollee, you should receive the same coverage as under Original Medicare. In addition, some Part C plans will offer additional benefits under Supplemental Benefits for Chronic Care (SSBCI). Sometimes, these benefits may include financial support for rent or utilities.
Although Medicare doesn’t offer housing assistance, you have alternative options if you need financial support for housing in your older age.
People living on lower incomes may also be eligible for Medicaid. While this program also doesn’t directly cover housing, some states may use Medicaid funds to support other programs that can offer support.
Options that may help include:
- Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
- 995HOPE
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
- public or non-profit housing
- religious organizations
- local housing authority or state-based non-profit programs