The Best Nursing Homes in Philadelphia

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a nursing home for yourself or a loved one. One of those factors is convenience, as people typically wish to visit family members who are residing in a nursing home.

Those with loved ones in the Philadelphia area will likely want to find a nursing home nearby. 

Rounding out the top three most important factors are quality and cost. We all want what’s best for the people we care about, and their quality of life is important.

As nursing home care is often expensive, it can be a big part of the equation for most people.  

With all these factors in mind, we compiled a list of the best nursing homes in Philadelphia, PA, along with some cost and coverage information. 

The list below of nursing homes in Philadelphia is sorted based on the quality ratings issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Ratings are based on a 5-star scale, with five stars being the best. Ratings are based on various quality factors such as facility cleanliness and strength of staff. 

This list includes only nursing homes that have an address within Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There may be some nursing homes just outside the city that may also be worth considering in your search. You can use the Medicare care compare search tool to look for more nursing homes around the Philadelphia area. 

How Much Do Nursing Homes Cost in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?

Once you’ve found some high-quality nursing homes that are conveniently located, the next step is to consider the cost.

Unfortunately for those looking at nursing homes in Philadelphia, the state of Pennsylvania is home to some of the most expensive nursing homes in the U.S. The average cost for a nursing home room in Philadelphia can be more than $10,000 per month. 

Few people pay for nursing home care entirely out of pocket. Most use some sort of combination of personal savings and other assets or insurance to foot the cost. 

Some health insurance plans may include some nursing home coverage, but nursing home benefits are more commonly found in long-term insurance plans that are typically sold separately from traditional health insurance.

Medicare and Medicaid can provide some coverage to nursing home residents, but there are some important caveats, which we’ll unpack below. 

Does Medicare Cover Nursing Homes in Philadelphia?

There are several types of nursing home care. One type is custodial care, which consists of activities of daily living like dressing, bathing and eating. This is the type of care that is consistent with most nursing home residents. 

Another type of nursing home care is referred to as skilled nursing care. Skilled nursing is care that is delivered with a medical focus, like taking care of wounds, giving IV fluids or administering physical therapy. 

Medicare does not cover custodial care when it’s the only type of care that is needed. In other words, if a person is living in a nursing home because they can no longer live independently, their care is likely to be centered around custodial care and they will only receive any coverage from Medicare should they need any skilled nursing care at some point.

Medicare nursing home coverage is based on skilled nursing care, which is most often delivered at skilled nursing facilities. These types of nursing homes are designed for typically temporary stays for people who are recovering from a surgery or an inpatient stay at a hospital before returning to their own home. 

Medicare covers the first 20 days of a skilled nursing facility stay with no copayment required. Days 21 to 100 require a copayment for each day. Beyond 100 days, Medicare coverage ends, and the resident is responsible for all costs. These copayments may be covered by a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plan.

Some Medicare Supplement plans can also cover your Part A deductible and other out-of-pocket costs, which could end up saving you a lot of money if you need extensive medical care or require a lengthy inpatient stay in a hospital or nursing facility.

You can compare Medigap plans online to see what options are available where you live.

Medicaid Coverage of Nursing Homes in Philadelphia

Medicaid coverage varies by state, and the Pennsylvania Medicaid program will help cover nursing home stays when the beneficiary meets a “nursing home level of care.” That generally requires a Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) that shows you require skilled nursing, rehabilitation services or other care you are unable to administer yourself. 

If you qualify for Medicaid and display a need for a nursing home level of care, Medicaid will cover the cost of your nursing home stay with no time restriction. If you continue to meet the eligibility requirements of both Medicaid and the nursing home level of care, you will continue to receive coverage for your residence and care. 

Resources for Nursing Home Shoppers in Philadelphia

Below is a list of resources that might be useful to someone in need of nursing home care or other long-term care services in Philadelphia, PA. 

• Medicare coverage of nursing home care
• Pennsylvania Medicaid program
• Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE)  
• Domiciliary Care Services for Adults program
• Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation
• Pennsylvania’s Options Program
• HealthChoices
• Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Pennsylvania