UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026
Cornerstone guide · ElderCareCosts Research
Nursing Homes Guide: Skilled Nursing & Long-Term Care
Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 nursing care for people with higher medical needs than typical assisted living.
Not medical advice. This page compares cost and logistics. It does not diagnose, treat, or recommend clinical care; talk with a clinician about health decisions.
The basics
Medicare may cover short skilled nursing facility stays under rules; long-term custodial nursing home stays are often Medicaid or private pay.
Use Medicare Care Compare for nursing home inspection and quality data. Not marketing star ratings alone.
Sources
- CMS Care Compare. Nursing home quality and inspection lookup on Medicare Care Compare
- Medicare.gov. SNF care. Medicare skilled nursing facility coverage overview for short skilled stays
- Medicare.gov. Long-term care. Medicare generally does not cover custodial long-term nursing home care
- Medicaid.gov. Medicaid as a primary payer for long-term nursing facility care when eligible
Related
Not sure which of these apply to your family?
We find licensed options near you, with the cost data we publish and payment options flagged. Data stays free either way.