Glossary
Medicare
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65 and over; it covers hospital and medical care and short-term skilled nursing or home health, but not assisted living, memory care, or long-term custodial care.
The common misunderstanding: Medicare does not pay for a senior living community. It covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing per benefit period after a qualifying hospital stay, and intermittent home health ordered by a doctor.
Related terms
Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program, the joint state and federal health coverage for people with limited income and assets, and the payer of last resort for long-term care.
Skilled nursing facility (SNF)
A skilled nursing facility is a licensed medical setting providing 24-hour nursing care and rehabilitation, for short-term recovery after a hospital stay or for long-term care of people who need continuous nursing.
Home health
Home health is skilled medical care at home, such as nursing, physical therapy or wound care, ordered by a doctor and delivered by a licensed home health agency.
Long-term care insurance
Long-term care insurance is a private policy that pays a daily or monthly benefit toward assisted living, memory care, nursing home or in-home care once the policyholder needs help with a set number of daily activities.
Definitions reviewed September 5, 2026. Rules vary by state and change over time; confirm specifics with the community and the licensing agency.