- Medicare needs written permission before it can share a person's information with you.
- Medicare covers short-term skilled care, home health and hospice — but not long-term custodial care.
- Your loved one should always be part of the decision, and their consent is needed to enroll.
Step 1: Get permission to help
Because of privacy laws, Medicare can't discuss someone's personal information with you unless they give permission. Your loved one can:
- Fill out the "Authorization to Disclose Personal Health Information" form (CMS-10106) and mail it to Medicare, or
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE with you on the line and give verbal permission for that call.
If you hold a legal power of attorney for health care, keep a copy handy. Each insurance plan may also have its own authorization form.
Step 2: Gather the essentials
One folder — paper or digital — with these items saves hours every fall. Update it whenever a medicine or doctor changes.
Step 3: Understand care coverage
| Type of care | Does Medicare cover it? |
|---|---|
| Skilled nursing facility (short-term) | Yes, after a qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay, for up to 100 days per benefit period, with a daily coinsurance after day 20. |
| Home health care | Yes, if the person is homebound and needs part-time skilled care (like nursing or therapy) ordered by a doctor. |
| Hospice | Yes, for people with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of 6 months or less, who choose comfort care. |
| Long-term custodial care | No. Help with bathing, dressing and eating, when that's the only care needed, isn't covered. Medicaid or long-term care insurance may help. |
| Durable medical equipment | Yes, under Part B, when prescribed — like walkers, wheelchairs and hospital beds. |
Step 4: Compare plans together
Sit down with your loved one and talk about what matters most: keeping a favorite doctor, low monthly costs, coverage while visiting family, or extra benefits like dental and hearing. With their permission, our licensed agents are happy to speak with both of you on the same call.
Step 5: Take care of yourself, too
Caregiving is demanding. Medicare covers some caregiver-related services — for example, Part B can cover caregiver training when it's part of your loved one's treatment plan, and the hospice benefit includes short-term inpatient respite care so caregivers can rest. Local Area Agencies on Aging can connect you with support in your community. You can find yours through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Common caregiver questions
Can I enroll my parent in a plan?
Your parent generally must agree to and sign their own enrollment, unless you are their legal representative (for example, with power of attorney). We'll always want to speak with them too.
My parent has Medicare and Medicaid. Does that change things?
Yes. People with both may qualify for Dual Special Needs Plans and can change plans more often. Let us know about Medicaid on the form so we can prepare.
Who else can help us for free?
Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling, and 1-800-MEDICARE is available 24/7.
