Brenda, Assisted Living is for people who need custodial care such as meds, meals, bathing, dressing, etc. It is self-pay and VERY expensive, usually starting at around 5K or more. I have seen where a patient needed short-term physical therapy and an outside agency came in to do it--if the patient had insurance, the company would be billed.

Nursing homes are for skilled care only. The patient must have a medical condition requiring nursing, physical therapy or occupational therapy, or respiratory therapy. Payment is self-pay, Medicaid/Medicare and long-term care insurance.