Core Insights - The average annual cost of nursing home care in the U.S. is around $10,000 per month in 2024, with significant state-by-state variations [3][4] - Texas is identified as the most affordable state for long-term care, while Alaska is the most expensive [4] Cost Analysis - The average annual cost for a shared room in a nursing home is approximately $111,325 ($9,150 monthly), and for a private room, it is about $127,750 ($10,500 monthly) [4] - In Alaska, the annual cost can reach up to $364,453, translating to $29,955 per month, while in Texas, the average cost for a private room is $85,045 annually ($6,990 monthly) and for a shared room is $65,700 annually ($5,400 monthly) [4][5] Insurance Coverage - Medicare only covers nursing home costs for the first 20 days at 100%, after which families are responsible for the expenses, with a copay of $209.50 per day from day 21 to day 100 [6][8] - Medicare is primarily designed for short-term rehabilitation rather than long-term care, which impacts families' financial planning for elder care [9]

Core Insights - The rising cost of nursing home care is increasingly influencing families' decisions regarding the placement of older relatives in such facilities [2][4]. Cost Analysis - The average annual cost of nursing home care in the U.S. is approximately $111,325 for a shared room and $127,750 for a private room in 2024, translating to about $9,150 and $10,500 monthly respectively [4] - In Alaska, the highest statewide average nursing home cost reaches $364,453 annually, or $29,955 monthly, while Texas, the lowest, averages $85,045 for a private room and $65,700 for a shared room annually [4] - Monthly costs can range from $5,000 to $30,000 depending on the market, with families often needing to pay out-of-pocket after Medicare coverage ends [7] Medicare Coverage - Medicare covers nursing home costs fully for the first 20 days after a qualifying hospital stay, after which it requires a copay of $209.50 per day until day 100, beyond which all costs are the patient's responsibility [8][9] - Medicare is primarily designed for short-term rehabilitation rather than long-term care, which limits its utility for families considering nursing home placement [9]