When families think about aging and healthcare, many assume that Medicare will cover the cost of long-term care. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common - and costly -misconceptions. In reality, Medicare provides very limited coverage for long-term care, leaving families financially vulnerable if they don’t do long-term care planning.

The Rising Cost of Care in Northwest Ohio

Long-term care costs in Ohio are significant, and they continue to rise. Here’s what families in Northwest Ohio can expect to pay on average in 2025:

• Home Care (non-medical assistance): $4,957 per month

• Home Health Care (with skilled nursing): $5,053 per month

• Assisted Living: $4,940 to $5,460 per month

• Nursing Home:

• • Semi-private room: $8,365 per month

• • Private room: $9,520 per month

These figures underscore why planning is critical. Even a short stay in a nursing home can deplete savings quickly.

The Medicare Myth: What It Covers—and What It Doesn't

Many people believe Medicare will pay for long-term care, but that’s not true. Medicare does not cover custodial care, which includes help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and eating. These services make up the bulk of long-term care needs.

Here’s what Medicare does cover:

• Short-term skilled nursing care after a qualifying hospital stay (at least three days)

• 100% of costs for the first 20 days in a skilled nursing facility

• Days 21–100: You pay a daily coinsurance

• After 100 days: Medicare pays nothing for nursing home care

Example: When Medicare Stops Paying

Imagine this scenario:

Mary, age 78, falls and breaks her hip. After surgery, she spends five days in the hospital and then moves to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation. Medicare covers her care for the first 20 days. From day 21 to day 100, she pays a daily coinsurance. On day 101, Medicare coverage ends—even though Mary still needs help with bathing, dressing, and walking. At this point, her family must (1) pay out-of-pocket or (2) rely on Medicaid (if she qualifies) or (3) use private long-term care insurance.

Why You Need a Long-Term Care Plan

Without a plan, families often face difficult choices:

• Spend down assets to qualify for Medicaid

• Rely on family caregivers, which can cause emotional and financial strain

• Pay out-of-pocket, which can quickly erode retirement savings

Planning ahead with tools like long-term care insurance, Medicaid planning, and estate planning strategies can protect your assets and give you peace of mind.

Take the Next Step

At Legacy Law Group, we help Ohio families create long-term care plans that work - protecting assets while securing appropriate care at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing facility. Whether you’re years away from needing care or already facing a transition, our team can help you:

• Design Medicaid-compliant strategies to preserve assets while meeting Ohio eligibility rules

• Coordinate legal documents (financial and healthcare POAs, living wills, trusts) and beneficiary designations

• Map a care pathway and budget using realistic local cost assumptions

Ready to plan? Use this link to request an appointment with one of our attorneys.