Only in specific, limited circumstances. Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing facility care for up to 100 days following a qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay, when the person still needs daily skilled care. It does not cover “custodial” nursing home care — the long-term residential care that most nursing home residents receive. After 100 days, Medicare coverage ends completely.

For Texas long-term care Medicaid, there is no strict income cap — instead, income above a certain level goes to a “patient pay” amount toward care costs. The asset limit for a single applicant is generally $2,000 in countable assets. A spouse remaining in the community is protected up to approximately $154,140 in assets (2024 figure, indexed annually).

Yes. “Dual-eligible” individuals qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare pays first (primary payer) and Medicaid covers costs Medicare does not — including Medicare premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. Dual-eligible seniors in Texas often have some of the most comprehensive coverage available.

As early as possible once they are in a nursing facility and financially eligible. Texas Medicaid applications can take 45–90 days to process, and coverage is typically not retroactive beyond the application month. Families should also consult an elder law attorney before applying — the 60-month look-back period review of financial transactions affects eligibility, and advance planning significantly improves outcomes.