Days 1 to 20
$0
Medicare pays the full approved cost.
After a hospital stay, recovery can cost more than the hospital.
Recovery care is a plan that pays cash to you for each day you spend recovering in a nursing or rehab facility, and for help at home, because Medicare stops paying in full after day 20 and doesn't pay for everyday care at home.
Where Medicare leaves a gap
With Original Medicare, after a hospital stay of at least 3 days, here's what a stay in a skilled nursing facility costs you in 2026.
Days 21 to 100
$217/day
You pay this. That's up to $17,360 over those 80 days.
After day 100
You pay all
Medicare pays nothing more for that stay.
Help at home
$30+/hr
Help with bathing, dressing and meals isn't covered by Medicare.
Example: After a stroke, someone spends 80 days in skilled nursing. Even if everything goes well and they go home, they'll likely still need some help at home at $30 or more an hour. That's why we recommend recovery care that pays for both the facility and care at home.
Medicare Advantage plans set their own skilled nursing copays, and Medicare supplements may pay the day 21 to 100 amount. Ask us how your plan handles it. Custodial care (help with daily activities only) isn't covered by Medicare in any setting.
See what a plan could pay you
A few short steps. We've filled in what we usually recommend, so you can just look at the result or change anything you like.
1About you
Price depends on age. Nothing is sent until you ask for a quote.
Ages 40 to 89
2Cash for a facility stay
Pays you each day you're in a nursing facility, rehab or assisted living.
When payments start We recommend day one
With "after 20 days," you'd pay the first 20 days yourself. It costs a little less.3Cash for help at home
Most people still need some help after they come home. At $30 or more an hour, it adds up fast.
About 20 hours of help a week at $30 an hour
4Cash for a hospital stayOptional add-on
Hospital indemnity pays you a set amount for each day you're admitted to a hospital, on top of your recovery care.
Choose from $10 to $400 a day
Adds about
$0.52 to $0.70a month. Estimate only, not a quote.
Why cash paid to you matters
Pay the $217 a day
Use it for the days 21 to 100 that Medicare doesn't fully pay.
Pay for help at home
Hire an aide, or pay a family member's gas and missed work.
Your choice
The money goes to you, not the facility. Spend it on whatever recovery costs.
This is not long-term care insurance. Recovery care is a short-term, fixed-cash plan for recovery periods. It isn't a substitute for long-term care insurance or for your Medicare coverage.
Get your exact prices
Tell us how to reach you and we'll send prices for the plans we offer in your area. No pressure, and no phone calls unless you want one.
Rather talk now?
(334) 489-3624Or pick a time that works for you
Tyler Dalton, Dalton Insurance Agency · 221 E South Street, Dadeville, AL 36853
Dalton Insurance Agency · Tyler Dalton · 221 E South Street, Dadeville, AL 36853 · (334) 489-3624 · [email protected]
Medicare costs on this page are 2026 figures from CMS and can change each year. The calculator's monthly cost is a rough estimate, not a quote or a promise of benefits. Your price depends on the insurance company, your age, your health answers and where you live. Examples are illustrations, not real clients.
Recovery care (short-term care), hospital indemnity, cancer, and heart attack & stroke plans are limited-benefit plans. They are not Medicare Supplement plans, are not a substitute for health coverage, and do not meet the minimum essential coverage requirement. They pay fixed amounts, have limitations and exclusions, and may include health questions, waiting periods and pre-existing condition limits. Benefits such as a no-waiting-period option, 360-day benefit periods and prescription reimbursement vary by plan and company.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 10 organizations which offer many products in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Dalton Insurance Agency is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.