How to Pay for Skilled Nursing Care in Louisiana
A plain-English guide to Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, and long-term care insurance for Louisiana families.
May 8, 2026
The short version
Most families pay for skilled nursing through a mix of Medicare (short-term), Medicaid (long-term), Veterans benefits, and private insurance. Here is how each one works in Louisiana.
Medicare
Medicare Part A covers a stay in a skilled nursing facility after a qualifying 3-day hospital admission. Coverage looks like this:
- Days 1-20: 100% covered
- Days 21-100: Medicare covers most costs; you pay a daily coinsurance ($204/day in 2025)
- After day 100: No Medicare coverage
Medicare Advantage plans may have different rules — call us and we will verify your specific plan.
Louisiana Medicaid
For long-term stays beyond what Medicare covers, Louisiana Medicaid is the most common payer. Eligibility is based on income, assets, and medical need. Cherry Ridge is Medicaid-certified and our admissions team can help you start the application.
VA Benefits
Veterans with a service-connected disability rating may qualify for full or partial VA-paid skilled nursing care. Aid & Attendance benefits can also help spouses and surviving spouses cover care costs.
Long-term care insurance
If your loved one purchased a long-term care policy, it likely covers some or all of the daily room rate. Bring the policy to admissions so we can coordinate billing directly with the insurer.
Private pay
Families can also pay privately, often as a bridge while a Medicaid application is pending.
What to do next
Call (318) 281-6933 and ask for our admissions coordinator. We will review your situation, confirm coverage, and explain expected out-of-pocket costs before admission so there are no surprises.
Have questions about your situation?
Our admissions team is happy to talk it through — no pressure.