Medicaid vs. Medicare: What Covers Adult Day Care in Maryland?

One of the most common questions we hear from Baltimore County families is: “Does Medicare pay for adult day care?” The short answer is no — but Maryland Medicaid often does.

Medicare and Adult Day Care

Medicare is health insurance primarily for people 65 and older, but it does not cover long-term custodial care or adult day care services. It may cover short-term skilled nursing after a hospital stay, but not ongoing daytime care.

Medicaid and the Medical Day Care Waiver

Medicaid is a joint federal-state program for people with limited income and resources. Maryland's Medical Day Care Waiver covers adult medical day care services — including nursing, transportation, meals, and activities — for eligible seniors and disabled adults at no cost to the family.

Which One Applies to Your Family?

Many seniors have both Medicare (for medical needs) and Medicaid (for long-term care services like adult day care). Our intake team at Active Life helps families verify eligibility through Maryland Health Connection and navigate the paperwork.

If cost has been the barrier keeping your loved one at home, let us help you explore whether Maryland Medicaid can cover their care.