Imagine two neighbors, who both have Medicare health insurance. One has congestive heart failure and requires a heart transplant. The other has Alzheimer's disease and requires nursing home placement. Each of them has a serious medical condition, but one of them is likely to have disastrous financial complications as well. The cardiac patient has a skilled illness and her medical expenses will be covered by Medicare. The Alzheimer's patient has a custodial illness and her medical expenses will not be covered by Medicare. Traditional health insurance policies specifically exclude coverage for custodial care.