Medicare only pays for nursing home care that is medically necessary, such as inpatient care at a skilled nursing facility, and does not pay for custodial care. Because most nursing home care is considered custodial, it is not generally covered by your standard plans. Custodial care is assistance that is not medically necessary. This type of assistance can include dressing, cooking, eating, bathing, and using the toilet. If this is the only type of care needed, it is not covered by a standard plan.