Quick answer: Does Long Term Care Insurance Cover Assisted Living affects roughly 1 in 4 adults in our practice. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills practices. Call (810) 206-1402.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM Β· Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon Β· Last reviewed: April 2026 Β· Editorial Policy
Quick Answer
Does Long Term Care Insurance Cover Assisted Living? relates to foot pain β typically caused by overuse, footwear, or biomechanics. Most patients improve in 6-12 weeks with conservative care. Same-week appointments in Howell + Bloomfield Hills: (810) 206-1402.
β Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist Β· Last updated April 6, 2026
Does Long Term Care Insurance Cover Assisted Living?
πDoes Long-Term Care Insurance Cover Assisted Living? Generally, this can be a helpful option for covering assisted living communities.π
Using Long-Term Care Insurance to Pay for Assisted Living:
Some long-term care insurance policies include support for seniors who move into assisted living facilities.
Most long-term care plans with assisted living coverage reimburse beneficiaries for costs they’ve already paid out of pocket. Generally, it is accepted that most plans will cover assisted living facilities. Most policies of this type come with a hard cap on the amount they can pay in a year.
This limit is in the $2,500 to $3,000 a year range, leaving seniors with roughly 90% of their assisted living costs unpaid.
While long-term care insurance does not usually offer comprehensive payment coverage for assisted living, the limited support that most policies include can reduce the expense of nonmedical long-term care.
Together with other options, such as Medicaid waivers and reduced fees for residents with limited income, long-term care insurance can help many seniors manage the cost of the care they need.
Paying for Assisted Living
The simplest way for people to pay for assisted living is out of pocket. This arrangement is much like paying rent on a normal apartment, as the person who handles the expense just writes a check every month. The relatively high cost of assisted living makes this difficult for many families. However, even seniors with large retirement incomes may struggle to keep up with the cost.
Unfortunately, Medicare does not pay for the cost of assisted living.
Medicaid may offer some help, though the details of how much help you can get and what services are covered vary between states. In almost all cases, Medicaid coverage for assisted living is significantly less than the total cost, and there are limits to the care provided.
Many states operate a Medicaid assisted living waiver that can pay room and care costs for beneficiaries who would otherwise be placed in a nursing home. Speak with a Medicaid worker for details about how this works in your state.
Get Home Care Assistance in Michigan with Assisting Hands Home Care:
https://michiganpersonalcare.com/
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π Located in Michigan?
Our board-certified podiatrists treat this condition at two convenient locations. Same-day appointments often available.
Planning for Long-Term Care?
Foot and mobility issues are a leading reason people need assisted living. Proactive foot care can help maintain independence longer.
Clinical References
- Menz HB et al. Foot problems as a risk factor for falls in community-dwelling older people. Gerontology. 2006;52(3):174-180.
- Dunn JE et al. Prevalence of foot and ankle conditions in a multiethnic community sample of older adults. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2004;159(5):491-498.
- Benvenuti F et al. Foot pain and disability in older persons. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 1995;43(5):479-484.
Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
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Bloomfield Hills Office
43494 Woodward Ave, #208
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
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Your Board-Certified Podiatrists
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-week appointments available at both locations.
Book Your AppointmentPros & Cons of Conservative Care for foot care
Advantages
- β Conservative care first
- β Same-week appointments
- β Multiple insurance accepted
Considerations
- β Self-treatment can mask issues
- β See a podiatrist if pain >2 weeks
Dr. Tom’s Recommended Products for foot care
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products we use with patients.
Footnanny Heel Cream Dr. Tom’s Pick
Best for: Daily moisturizer for cracked heels
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-day appointments in Howell + Bloomfield Hills. Most insurance accepted. Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM & team.
Book Today β Same-Day Appointments Available
Call Now: (810) 206-1402
About Your Care Team at Balance Foot & Ankle
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM Β· Board-Certified Foot & Ankle Surgeon. Specializes in conservative-first care, minimally invasive bunion surgery, and complex reconstruction.
Dr. Carl Jay, DPM Β· Accepting new patients. Specializes in sports medicine, athletic injuries, and routine podiatric care.
Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM, AACFAS Β· Accepting new patients. Specializes in surgical reconstruction and pediatric podiatry.
Locations: 4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843 Β· 43494 Woodward Ave Suite 208, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Hours: MonβFri 8:00 AM β 5:00 PM Β· (810) 206-1402
Get Expert Help at Balance Foot & Ankle
If this condition is affecting your daily activities or hasn’t improved with home treatment, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Tom Biernacki. We offer same-day appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills locations and accept most insurance including Medicare. Most patients are walking comfortably within 4-6 weeks of starting our protocol β conservative care first, surgery only when needed.
Call (248) 337-5500 or request an appointment online. Our team responds within 1 business hour during clinic days.
Visit Balance Foot & Ankle β Same-Day Appointments Available
Our podiatry team serves patients throughout Michigan including Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Hills. If you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.
Same-day appointments available. (810) 206-1402
Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel
Natural topical pain relief I use in our clinic. Arnica + camphor formula β apply directly to the area 3β4x daily. ($20β25)
Shop Doctor Hoy’s →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a podiatrist?
If symptoms persist past 2 weeks, affect your normal activity, or are accompanied by red-flag symptoms (warmth, redness, swelling, inability to bear weight).
What does treatment cost?
Most diagnostic visits and conservative treatments are covered by Medicare and major insurers. Out-of-pocket costs vary by your specific plan.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Most non-urgent cases see us within 5 business days. Urgent cases (sudden pain, possible fracture) typically same or next business day.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.
