Long Term Care insurance is becoming increasingly valuable. Following is an overview of the types of insurance available, as well as the services offered. The most effective time to purchase this insurance, as well as those who benefit most from being insured, will be discussed.
This insurance helps provide for the cost of caring for an individual beyond a specific time period, usually 90 days. It does not necessarily require the beneficiary to be elderly, but someone who cannot perform at least two basic activities of daily living, such as walking, eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, etc. The person is not necessarily “sick” but cannot perform basic functions due to a variety of reasons. This type of coverage provides services not offered by regular health insurance, medicare or medicaid.
Two general types of policies exist. The first is “tax-qualified”, which is more common. The beneficiary must be unable to perform at least two normal daily living activities. The second is “non-tax qualified”. This plan actually requires the benefit recipient to be unable to perform only one activity of daily living. Tax-qualified policies are more prevalent, because people want to be able to deduct premiums from their taxes. However, these tax issues can be complex. Individuals should seek advice of knowledgeable tax professionals before choosing a type of policy, since non-tax qualified plans provide better benefits. Group policies through one’s employer do exist, but may or may not be tax-qualified, and can be canceled by the insurance company.
Individuals who do not have friends or family who can care for them are prime candidates for this kind of insurance. These plans provide for live-in companions, home or adult day care, hospice or Alzheimer’s's facilities, as well as assisted living. Individuals are reimbursed for expenses as they occur. Premium amounts are driven by the age and health of the recipient when the plan is purchased, whether benefit provision is scheduled to adjust for inflation, as well as the length of waiting period before covered care begins.
These policies are beneficial because they pay where medicare and medicaid do not. Medicare provides only some home care and short term stays in nursing facilities, and nothing for long term care. Medicaid covers some home health care costs and most nursing home costs, but one must deplete most assets before becoming eligible. Medicaid covers some care in assisted living facilities, but most costs must be paid through private funds. Home health aides costs approximately $29 per hour, and assisted living facilities usually cost around $100 per day.
Many financial planners advise that the best time to purchase this insurance is when individuals are in their mid to late fifties. Premiums are cheaper if purchased at a younger age, however premiums are paid for a far longer period of time before the insurance is needed. If one waits until he or she is older, then premiums are extremely expensive. People can self-insure if their net worth is over $2 million, excluding the cost of their home. If net worth is below $200,000, then a policy is probably not affordable. If net worth is between these two numbers, then Long Term Care insurance is recommended.
As the population lives longer, more people end up with disabilities, and in need of assisted care later in life. As people plan for retirement, long term care insurance should be addressed. While paying for this type of insurance can be costly, it can be far less than directly paying for health care and long term care. Long term care beneficiaries feel confident that they will be cared for, and that their assets will be secure for their heirs.
For more information on how Long Term Care Insurance can help prepare us as we age. Also you can get a long term care insurance quote. We represent 20 of the top LTCi providers. This gives you tremendous options.