Free guide for families

Know what pays for Mom's care, and what to do next.

Plain-English answers about Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, the VA and long-term care insurance, with the official rule, what the doctor needs to write, and who to call.

Happening right now

Being discharged, or rehab was denied?

You have rights, and some of them expire the day of discharge. Here's what to do in the next hour.

What to do now
Planning ahead

Find what pays in your state

Home care, assisted living, nursing homes and the free benefits most families never hear about.

FloridaKentuckyMore states coming

At a glance

Who pays for what

General rules for 2026. Your plan, your state and the person's situation decide the final answer, so tap a program for details.

Type of careOriginal MedicareMedicare AdvantageMedicaidVALong-term care insurance
Short-term rehab in a nursing facilityYesAfter a 3-day inpatient stay. Up to 100 days.YesUsually needs plan approval. Must follow Medicare's rules.YesIf eligible.SometimesFor eligible veterans.OftenCheck the policy.
Skilled home health (nurse, therapy)Yes$0 if homebound and a doctor orders it.YesThrough plan agencies.YesSometimesFor enrolled veterans who qualify.Often
Personal care at home (bathing, dressing)NoOnly alongside skilled care.Some plansVaries by plan and year.Through waiversOften a waitlist.SometimesHome aide programs for enrolled veterans who qualify; Aid and Attendance pension can help pay.OftenCheck the policy. Usually needs help with 2 of 6 daily activities, or memory loss.
Assisted livingNoNoDepends on stateFlorida: services yes. Kentucky: no.Can helpAid and Attendance pension can go toward it.Often
Long-term nursing home careNoCustodial care isn't covered.NoSame as Medicare.YesNo waitlist for nursing homes.SometimesYes
Meals, rides and extrasNoOftenMeals after a hospital stay, OTC allowance, rides. Varies.SometimesHome-delivered meals through waivers.SometimesRarely
Yes usually coveredSometimes depends on plan, state or situationNo generally not covered

The free guide

Start with the program you have

Every page shows the official rule, a plain-English version, what the doctor needs to document, and who to call.

Urgent

Discharge and rehab denials

Fast appeals, the notices you should get, and what to say.

 New tool

Look up your plan

See what your 2027 Medicare Advantage plan covers for rehab, home health, meals and rides.

 Program

Original Medicare

Rehab, home health, hospice, and what it never pays for.

 Program

Medicare Advantage

Hidden extras like meals and rides, and fast decisions on denials.

 Program

Medicaid long-term care

Nursing homes, home care waivers, PACE and the 5-year look-back.

 Program

Medical equipment

Lift chairs, hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen, and what Medicare won't pay for.

 Program

VA benefits

Aid and Attendance, 2026 pension amounts, and home care programs.

 Program

Long-term care insurance

How to start a claim and what triggers benefits.

About this guide

Free help finding your way

CoCare Management created this free guide to help families find their way through Medicare, Medicaid and care decisions. We don't provide medical or legal advice, we don't sell insurance, and we don't recommend plans.

Lost on what to do next? Send us a question. When we can, we'll reply with general information about where to look and who to call.

Ask us a question
1 dayTypical time for a fast hospital discharge appeal decision after the reviewer has the records
72 hoursTime a Medicare Advantage plan usually has for a fast decision when the doctor says waiting could harm health
100 daysMost skilled nursing days Medicare covers per benefit period

Urgent help

They're discharging Mom and insurance denied rehab. What to do in the next hour.

Some of these rights end when she leaves the building. Do the steps in order, and keep the paperwork the hospital hands you.

Read every notice the hospital gives you. Signing a Medicare rights notice shows you received it; it doesn't mean you agree with the discharge.
  1. Ask: is she an inpatient, or "under observation"?

    Observation days don't count toward the 3 inpatient days Original Medicare needs before it pays for rehab. If she was under observation for more than 24 hours, the hospital must give you a MOON notice explaining it. If she was admitted as an inpatient and then switched to observation, she may now have the right to a fast appeal of that switch.

    "Is my mother an inpatient or an outpatient under observation? On what dates?"

  2. Find the notice with the phone number on it

    Leaving the hospital: look for "An Important Message from Medicare about Your Rights." Rehab, home health or hospice ending: look for the "Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage." The phone number for the independent reviewer (called the BFCC-QIO) is printed on it.

  3. Call the reviewer before she leaves

    For a hospital discharge, call no later than the day she's scheduled to leave, before she leaves. She can stay while the reviewer decides, and you won't pay for those extra days except normal deductibles and coinsurance. For rehab or home health ending, call by noon the day before services end.

    "I'm calling to request a fast appeal of my mother's discharge. I don't believe she is ready to go home safely."

  4. Medicare Advantage said no to rehab? Ask the doctor to request a fast decision

    When the doctor says waiting could seriously harm her health, the plan must decide within 72 hours in most cases. Since January 1, 2024, Advantage plans must follow Original Medicare's coverage rules for skilled nursing. If Original Medicare would cover it, the plan generally can't refuse it.

    "Please request an expedited reconsideration and ask whether Original Medicare's skilled nursing criteria are met."

  5. Ask the doctor to put the skilled need in writing

    Coverage depends on what's documented. See the box below for exactly what helps.

  6. Call for free Medicare help

    Call 1-800-MEDICARE or your state's free Medicare counseling program (SHIP). You can also send CoCare a general question.

When the closest facility can't take her

If this applies to your situation, keep this in mind. Not every rehab facility can accept every patient, so the closest available bed may be farther from home than you expected. Common reasons include:
  • Larger body size or weight, which needs special (bariatric) beds, lifts and wheelchairs, and extra staff
  • Memory care needs or a risk of wandering
  • Dialysis, IV antibiotics or complex wound care
  • Breathing support, such as a ventilator
  • No open beds
You can ask whether she can move to a facility closer to home later, if a bed opens. Every facility and situation is different.

The official rules

The official rule

Hospital discharge: ask the reviewer no later than the day you're scheduled to be discharged from the hospital. While waiting, you can stay in the hospital while you wait to get the BFCC-QIO's decision. Medicare.gov

The official rule

Rehab, home health or hospice ending: you get a notice at least 2 days before covered services end and must ask no later than noon the day before the termination date listed on the notice. Medicare.gov

The official rule

Medicare Advantage: The plan must give you its decision within 72 hours when the doctor says waiting could seriously jeopardize health. Plans must follow General coverage and benefit conditions included in Traditional Medicare laws (42 CFR 422.101(b)(2), in effect since 2024). Medicare.gov · Regulation

In plain English

You can ask an independent reviewer to stop a discharge that's too early, and Mom can stay while they decide, usually within a day. If she has an Advantage plan, the plan must give a fast answer when the doctor says waiting could seriously harm her health, and the plan can't use stricter rules than regular Medicare for rehab.

What the doctor needs to document

For rehab coverage
  • The dates she was a formal inpatient (Original Medicare needs 3 days in a row; the discharge day doesn't count)
  • That she needs daily skilled care, such as therapy or nursing, and why it can't safely be done at home
  • Her current function: walking, transfers, toileting, and fall risk
  • Improvement isn't required: Medicare covers skilled care necessary to maintain the patient's current condition or prevent or slow further deterioration (the Jimmo settlement)

What rehab costs under Original Medicare in 2026

$0Days 1–20 in skilled nursing, after the hospital deductible
$217Per day for days 21–100
$1,736Part A hospital deductible per benefit period

Medicare Advantage plans set their own copays. Check the plan's Evidence of Coverage.

Last checked October 28, 2026. Sources: Medicare skilled nursing coverage · CMS 2026 costs · MOON notice · Inpatient-to-observation appeals · Jimmo settlement

Program guide

Original Medicare

Medicare pays for medical care: hospital stays, short-term rehab, skilled home health and hospice. It does not pay for long-term help with daily living.

What it doesn't cover

The official rule

Medicare does not provide long-term care coverage or custodial care unless medical care is needed. Medicare.gov

In plain English

Help with bathing, dressing, meals and supervision, whether at home, in assisted living or in a nursing home, isn't paid by Medicare on its own. Medicaid, the VA, long-term care insurance or savings usually pay for that.

Short-term rehab (skilled nursing facility)

  • Needs a medically necessary inpatient stay of at least 3 days in a row. Observation and ER time don't count.
  • She generally must enter the facility within about 30 days of leaving the hospital.
  • Up to 100 days per benefit period: $0 for days 1–20, then $217 a day for days 21–100 in 2026.

Home health

The official rule

For people who are homebound and need part-time or intermittent skilled services. You pay nothing for covered home health services. Medical equipment is 20% after the Part B deductible. Medicare.gov

In plain English

If leaving home takes a lot of effort and she needs a nurse or therapist, Medicare sends one to the house for free. A home health aide is included only while she's also getting skilled care.

What the doctor needs to document
  • Why she is homebound
  • The skilled service needed (nursing, physical, occupational or speech therapy)
  • An in-person visit with the doctor or provider about the reason for home health

Walkers, hospital beds, lift chairs and other equipment have their own rules. See medical equipment.

Hospice

For someone whose doctor certifies a life expectancy of 6 months or less and who chooses comfort care. Hospice care is $0 from a Medicare-approved hospice, with up to a $5 copay per prescription for symptom drugs and 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care. Nursing home room and board isn't included.

Last checked October 28, 2026. Sources: Skilled nursing · Hospice · CMS 2026 costs

Program guide

Medicare Advantage

Advantage plans (from private insurers) must cover what Medicare covers, and most add extras that families never think to ask about.

Extras worth asking about

  • Meals after a hospital stay, for a limited time after discharge
  • Over-the-counter allowance for items Part D doesn't cover
  • Rides to doctor visits
  • Extra help for chronic illness (for members who qualify): food and produce, pest control, rides for groceries, home safety changes
The official rule

Check with the plan before you enroll to see what benefits it offers, if you might qualify, and if there are any limitations. CMS requires chronic-illness extras to have a reasonable expectation of improving or maintaining the health or overall function of the member. CMS

In plain English

These extras change by plan and by year. Call the number on the member card, ask "What extras do I have after a hospital stay?", and ask for the answer in writing. The plan's Evidence of Coverage, sent each fall, lists them.

When the plan says no

  • The doctor can ask for a fast decision. When waiting could seriously harm health, the plan must answer within 72 hours in most cases (it can take up to 14 more days in some situations).
  • For rehab and home health, plans must use Original Medicare's coverage rules (since January 1, 2024).
  • You, a representative, or the doctor can request the decision or the appeal.

See discharge and rehab denials for the step-by-step, or look up your plan to see exactly what it covers.

Last checked October 28, 2026. Sources: Medicare plan appeals · Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans · SHIP on plan extras

Program guide

Medicaid long-term care

Medicaid is the biggest payer of long-term care in the country. It pays for nursing homes and, through waivers, for help at home.

Nursing homes

The official rule

Nursing facility services are required to be provided by state Medicaid programs for individuals age 21 or older who need them. States can't put nursing home care on a waiting list. Medicaid.gov

Care at home: waivers

States can use "home and community-based services" waivers to pay for help at home or in some community settings instead of a nursing home. The person must need a nursing-home level of care. Unlike nursing homes, waivers can have waiting lists.

Money rules

  • Many states cap income at 300% of the SSI benefit, which is $2,982 a month in 2026 in both Florida and Kentucky.
  • The asset limit for one person is usually $2,000. A spouse living at home can keep more.
  • 5-year look-back: gifts or transfers made in the 60 months before applying can delay coverage.
In plain English

Don't give money or property away to "qualify" without advice first. A penalty can start right when care is needed most. An elder law attorney can show legal ways to plan.

PACE: an all-in-one option

PACE covers medical and social care for people 55 or older who need a nursing-home level of care but can live safely at home, in areas with a PACE program. It's available in parts of Florida and Kentucky.

What the doctor needs to document
  • Diagnoses and how they limit daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, moving)
  • Memory or thinking problems, and safety risks like falls or wandering
  • Why she needs a nursing-home level of care

Last checked October 28, 2026. Sources: Medicaid HCBS · PACE · 2026 limits (American Council on Aging)

Program guide

VA benefits for care

Wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily living may get extra money every month on top of a VA pension.

Aid and Attendance

The official rule

Paid with a VA pension if at least one is true: You need another person to help you perform daily activities, like bathing, feeding, and dressing; You have to stay in bed—or spend a large portion of the day in bed—because of illness; You're a patient in a nursing home due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability; or eyesight is limited to 5/200 or less in both eyes, even with glasses or contacts. VA.gov

Maximum yearly pension with Aid and Attendance (from Dec 1, 2025)

$29,093Veteran, no dependents
$34,488Veteran with one dependent
$18,697Surviving spouse
In plain English

These are maximums. The VA subtracts countable income, and medical and care costs can lower countable income. The money can help pay for home care or assisted living.

What the doctor needs to document
  • VA Form 21-2680, the exam for housebound status or need for aid and attendance, completed by a doctor
  • Which daily activities she or he needs help with, and why

VA home and community programs

  • Homemaker and Home Health Aide care
  • Adult Day Health Care and respite care
  • Home Based Primary Care and Skilled Home Health Care
  • Veteran-Directed Care, a flexible budget to hire your own helpers

Last checked October 28, 2026. Sources: VA pension rates · Survivors pension rates · Aid and Attendance · VA home and community care

Program guide

Long-term care insurance

If Mom or Dad bought a long-term care policy years ago, find it now. Many families forget it exists.

The official rule

Most policies pay when you need help with two or more of six ADLs (activities of daily living) or have a cognitive impairment. Payments start after an elimination period, often 30, 60 or 90 days. ACL.gov

In plain English

If she needs help with things like bathing and dressing, or has dementia, the policy likely kicks in. You usually pay for the first month or few months yourself, so start the claim right away.

How to start a claim

  1. Find the policy, or call the insurer with her name, date of birth and Social Security number.
  2. Ask for a claim packet and the "elimination period" for her policy.
  3. Have the doctor document which daily activities she needs help with, or the cognitive diagnosis.
  4. Keep receipts for all care from day one.

Last checked October 28, 2026.

State guide

Florida: what pays for care

Florida's Medicaid long-term care program can pay for help at home and for assisted living services. Getting in starts with a phone screening, and there's often a waitlist, so call early.

Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in Florida?

The official rule

Florida's Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care program lists Assisted Living among its covered services, along with personal care, adult day care, hospice and nursing facility care. All of these services are available based on medical necessity. Florida Elder Affairs

In plain English

Yes for the care services, but generally not for rent and meals (room and board). The program's services also include home accessibility adaptation and personal care at home. Florida's Optional State Supplementation can add a small monthly payment toward assisted living for people with low income.

How to get in: 3 steps

  1. Phone screening: call the Elder Helpline. The screening takes about 45 minutes to an hour and gives a priority score for the waitlist. Ask to be rescreened if her health changes.
  2. Medical check (CARES): Elder Affairs confirms she needs a nursing-home level of care, at no cost.
  3. Money check (DCF): apply for Medicaid through the Department of Children and Families.

2026 limits for one person

$2,982Monthly income limit
$2,000Asset limit
$160Monthly personal needs allowance

Other Florida programs

  • Community Care for the Elderly: for people 60 and older who need help, with services like adult day care, case management and home-delivered meals.
  • Home Care for the Elderly: a $160 monthly subsidy for people 60 and older living with a family caregiver at home, for those who qualify.
  • PACE: available in parts of Florida for people 55 and older.
What the doctor needs to document
  • Diagnoses and how they limit daily activities
  • Memory problems, fall risk and supervision needs
  • Recent hospital stays or decline. A change in condition can raise the waitlist priority score.

Last checked October 28, 2026. Sources: AHCA screening · CARES · AHCA eligibility · 2026 DCF standards · SMMC LTC services · CCE · HCE

State guide

Kentucky: what pays for care

Kentucky Medicaid doesn't pay for assisted living, but its home care waiver, the state Homecare Program and personal care home supplements can fill the gap.

Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in Kentucky?

The official rule

Assisted Living Communities in Kentucky are social models and do not provide health services. Residents may still get Medicare or Medicaid coverage for health care from outside licensed agencies. Kentucky DAIL

In plain English

No, Medicaid won't pay the assisted living bill. But a home health nurse or therapist can still visit her there and bill Medicare or Medicaid.

Help at home: the HCB waiver

  • Who: age 65 or older, or with a physical disability, who needs a nursing-home level of care and meets Medicaid's money rules.
  • Covers: adult day health care, attendant care, home changes like grab bars and ramps, home-delivered meals, and respite.
  • Waitlist: yes, in order of when the completed application arrives, so apply early.
  • Choose your helpers: with Participant Directed Services, you can hire people you know.
  • How to apply: first qualify for Medicaid (kynect or DCBS), then apply for the waiver on kynect or at an Aging and Disability Resource Center.

Personal care homes: State Supplementation

A monthly payment for people who are aged, blind or disabled and live in a licensed personal care home or family care home, or receive caretaker services at home. It makes up the difference between the person's income and the standard.

$1,610Monthly standard, personal care home (2026)
$1,166Monthly standard, family care home (2026)
$2,000Asset limit

Personal care home residents can't use waiver services at the same time.

Kentucky Homecare Program

For people 60 and older who can't do 2 daily activities (like bathing) or 3 household tasks (like cooking) on their own: personal care, home-delivered meals, respite, home repair and case management. It's run through Area Agencies on Aging, and some areas may have waiting lists.

2026 Medicaid long-term care limits for one person

$2,982Monthly income limit
$2,000Asset limit
PACEAvailable in parts of Kentucky, age 55+
What the doctor needs to document
  • Diagnoses and which daily activities she needs help with
  • Memory problems and safety risks
  • That she needs a nursing-home level of care (for the waiver)

Last checked October 28, 2026. Sources: HCB waiver · State Supplementation manual · Homecare Program · Apply for Medicaid · 2026 limits (American Council on Aging)

Get help

How to file a complaint

If care is unsafe, neglectful or just wrong, you can report it. Complaints are free, and you don't need a lawyer.

If someone is in danger right now, call 911.

Which agency handles what

The problemFloridaKentucky
A nursing home, assisted living, home health agency or hospitalAHCA (Agency for Health Care Administration)1-888-419-3456, option 2, or the online complaint formOffice of Inspector General, Division of Health Care502-564-7963
A resident wants someone on their side inside the facilityLong-Term Care Ombudsman1-888-831-0404Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass (state ombudsman)1-800-372-2991
Abuse, neglect or money being takenCall 911 if in danger, then AHCA and the ombudsmanAbuse hotline1-877-597-2331 (1-877-KYSAFE1)
Poor care from a doctor, hospital or rehab, for anyone on MedicareAcentra Health, Medicare's quality reviewer1-888-317-0751, press 1 for English
A Medicare Advantage plan problemFile a "grievance" with the plan (number on the member card), then call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

Before you call: what to have ready

  • Name of the facility or agency, and its address
  • Name of the person receiving care
  • What happened, when, and who was involved
  • Names of anyone who saw it, and photos or papers if you have them
  • What you've already done, such as who you told at the facility
In plain English

Write down dates and names as things happen. A short, specific timeline gets results faster than a long story. You can ask to keep your name private.

Last checked October 28, 2026. Sources: AHCA complaint center · AHCA online complaint form · Kentucky OIG contacts · Kentucky required agency contacts

Plan lookup · 2027 Medicare Advantage

What does your plan cover for care?

Enter the plan number from your member card, or pick your state, county and plan. We'll show what your plan filed with Medicare for rehab, home health, meals, rides and other help at home, plus who to call and what to tell the doctor.

or

Program guide

Medical equipment at home

Walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, lift chairs and oxygen are covered when a doctor orders them and the person meets Medicare's rules. Each item has its own rules, and a few common items aren't covered at all.

The basics

The official rule

Part B covers medically necessary DME if your doctor or other health care provider orders it for use in your home. After the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount (if your supplier accepts assignment). Medicare.gov

In plain English

The doctor orders it, a Medicare-enrolled supplier delivers it, Medicare pays 80%, and you pay 20%. The Part B deductible is $283 in 2026. Use a supplier that is enrolled in Medicare and accepts assignment, or you may pay more. Some items are rented, some are bought, and some become yours after a number of rental payments.

Medicare Advantage: the plan sets its own cost share, uses its own network of suppliers, and often needs to approve items first. Look up your plan to see its equipment costs.

Good to know, item by item

Lift chairsLift part only
In plain English

Medicare covers the lifting mechanism, not the chair. Most people buy a complete lift chair from a Medicare-enrolled supplier. The supplier bills Medicare for the lift part, and you pay for the chair itself plus your 20% share of the lift. Ask the supplier how they split the bill before you buy. Spring-loaded seats that push you up aren't covered.

The official rule

All of these must be true: severe arthritis of the hip or knee or ... a severe neuromuscular disease; the person is completely incapable of standing up from a regular armchair or any chair in their home (difficulty alone isn't enough); and once standing, the beneficiary must have the ability to ambulate. When the lift is built into a chair, the supplier bills the lift mechanism to Medicare and the chair as a non-covered item. Medicare coverage rule · Billing article

What the doctor needs to document
  • The diagnosis: severe hip or knee arthritis, or a severe neuromuscular disease
  • That she can't stand up from any chair in her home, and can walk once standing
  • That other treatments, like medication or physical therapy, were tried and didn't work
  • A written order sent to the supplier before the claim
Hospital bedsCovered if rules met
The official rule

A standard hospital bed is covered when the person has at least one of these: a condition that requires body positioning in ways that can't be done with an ordinary bed; needs positioning to relieve pain; needs the head of the bed raised more than 30 degrees most of the time because of congestive heart failure, chronic lung disease or aspiration; or needs traction that only attaches to a hospital bed. A semi-electric bed also needs frequent or immediate changes in position. CMS

In plain English

Wanting a more comfortable bed isn't enough. The doctor has to show a medical reason a regular bed won't work.

What the doctor needs to document
  • The medical condition and how severe and frequent the symptoms are
  • Which positioning or attachment is needed, and why an ordinary bed can't do it
WalkersCovered if rules met
The official rule

Covered when The patient has a mobility limitation that significantly impairs their ability to take part in 1 or more mobility-related daily activities in the home, The patient can safely use the walker, and Using a walker can resolve the functional mobility deficit. CMS

What the doctor needs to document
  • Which daily activities at home she can't do safely (getting to the bathroom, the kitchen, the bedroom)
  • That she can use a walker safely and it solves the problem
Power wheelchairs and scootersCovered if rules met
The official rule

You must have a face-to-face examination and a written prescription from a treating provider. The mobility problem must keep her from daily activities at home, and it cannot be sufficiently and safely resolved by the use of an appropriately fitted cane or walker. She also can't propel a manual wheelchair at home, must be able to operate the device safely, and the home must have room to use it. The exam must be within 6 months before the order. Medicare.gov · Medicare coverage rule

In plain English

Medicare looks at whether she needs it to get around inside her home, not for trips out. A cane, walker or manual wheelchair has to be ruled out first.

What the doctor needs to document
  • An in-person exam about her mobility, within 6 months before the order
  • Why a cane, walker or manual wheelchair won't work
  • That she can operate the device safely
Bedside commodesCovered if rules met
The official rule

A commode is covered when the beneficiary is physically incapable of utilizing regular toilet facilities, for example when confined to a single room, confined to one level of the home with no toilet on that level, or confined to a home with no toilet. Medicare coverage rule

What the doctor needs to document
  • Why she can't get to or use the regular toilet, such as being limited to one room or one floor
Home oxygenCovered if rules met
The official rule

The main test: an arterial oxygen saturation at or below 88%, taken at rest, breathing room air (or an arterial oxygen level, PO2, of 55 mm Hg or below). Some people at 89% qualify with other conditions, such as swelling from heart failure. For hospital patients, the test must be within 2 days of discharge, and the equipment supplier can't do the test. CMS

What the doctor needs to document
  • The oxygen test result, the date, and the conditions (at rest, during exercise or during sleep)
  • For a hospital patient, a test within 2 days of discharge
Shower chairs, bath seats, grab bars, raised toilet seatsNot covered by Medicare
The official rule

Medicare's equipment list marks bathtub seats as comfort or convenience item; hygienic equipment; not primarily medical in nature, and grab bars as a self-help device; not primarily medical in nature. Raised toilet seats and bathtub lifts are also listed as not covered. Medicare national coverage rule

In plain English

Original Medicare won't pay for these. But some Medicare Advantage plans include home and bathroom safety items (look up your plan), Medicaid home care programs may help for people who qualify: Kentucky's HCB waiver covers minor home adaptations (Kentucky guide), and Florida's long-term care program lists home accessibility adaptation (Florida guide).

Who to call

  • The doctor's office: ask them to send the order and notes to the supplier.
  • The supplier: ask, "Are you enrolled in Medicare, and do you accept assignment?" If she has an Advantage plan, ask if they're in the plan's network.
  • 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to find enrolled suppliers, or the plan's member services for Advantage plans.

Last checked October 28, 2026. Sources: Medicare DME coverage · 2026 Part B deductible · Seat lift rule (L33801) · Equipment reference list (NCD 280.1)

The free guide

What pays for care

Pick a program or a state. Each page shows the official rule, a plain-English version, what the doctor needs to document, and who to call.

Urgent

Discharge and rehab denials

What to do in the next hour.

 New tool

Look up your plan

See what your 2027 Medicare Advantage plan covers for rehab, home health, meals and rides.

 Program

Original Medicare

Rehab, home health, hospice.

 Program

Medicare Advantage

Extras and fast decisions.

 Program

Medicaid long-term care

Nursing homes, waivers, PACE.

 Program

Medical equipment

Lift chairs, hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen, and what Medicare won't pay for.

 Program

VA benefits

Aid and Attendance and home care.

 Program

Long-term care insurance

Starting a claim.

 Get help

File a complaint

Unsafe or poor care: who to call in Florida and Kentucky.

 State

Florida

Long-term care program, screening, who to call.

 State

Kentucky

Waivers, Homecare, personal care homes.

Ask us a question

Tell us what's going on

Tell us what's happening and what you're trying to figure out. When we can, we reply by email with general information about where to look and who to call. We can't advise on individual medical or legal situations, and we can't promise a reply to every message. It's free.

Prefer email? Write to help@cocaremanagement.com

We share general information only, not medical or legal advice. For medical questions, talk to the doctor. For legal questions, talk to an elder law attorney. In an emergency, call 911.

Please don't include medical records, diagnoses, or Social Security or Medicare numbers.