Fast answers to your most common questions

When planning for future long-term care costs, we know you have questions about your options. To help you, below are answers to frequently asked questions. Know that we’re always here to answer your questions – by phone, or email.

 

Top Questions

What is long-term care?

Long-term care is the assistance needed when a person is unable to manage their own personal care needs or when they need help with daily activities (walking, bathing, continence, dressing, eating, toileting and transferring). This type of care is known as Custodial Care and is not covered by Medicare. Learn more >

What is long-term care insurance?

Long-term care insurance pays for long-term services, including custodial care. Health insurance and Medicare do not pay for this type of care. You can receive care in your home, an assisted living facility or nursing home. Long-term care insurance protects your savings from the high cost of long-term services. It also protects your family from the burden of caregiving. Learn more >

What are the best long-term care insurance companies?

There are many plan options and highly rated insurance companies available. The best plan is from a highly rated insurance company with the right set of benefits for your needs. A Long-Term Care Advisor can offer professional guidance on the best company and strategy for your situation. Click here to get recommendations >

What disqualifies me from getting long-term care insurance?

Your health status and age determines your eligibility for long-term care insurance. But even people with significant health conditions may still qualify. Conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or currently needing care could disqualify you. Short-term care insurance may be a good option for those at older ages or with certain health issues. Find out if you qualify >

How much does long-term care insurance cost?

For most people, long-term care insurance is affordable. However, several factors impact the cost of a policy, including your age, health, and policy design. Annual premiums are typically much less than paying for one month of long-term care services out of your pocket.

Below are the average monthly costs of long-term care insurance by purchase age for $165,000 in level benefits, without annual inflation growth. These rates are based on select health rather than preferred health which has the lowest cost.

Cost of Long-Term Care Insurance by Age
Age 55Age 60Age 65
Male$79$98$142
Female$125$158$225
Couple$173$217$313

 

For the same applicants purchasing a policy with 3% annual inflation growth protection, the average monthly costs are:

Age 55Age 60Age 65
Male$185$294$261
Female$308$358$439
Couple$419$483$596

Product and Company FAQs

What types of long-term care insurance plans are available?

Several plan options are available and a Long-Term Care Advisor can make recommendations based on your situation. The types of plans available include:

  • Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Life Insurance with Long-Term Care
  • Long-Term Care Annuities
  • Short-Term Care Insurance

Learn more about the types of plans available >

How does long-term care insurance work?

Different from health insurance, long-term care insurance is designed to pay for long-term services, including custodial care. The care can be provided in your home, an assisted living facility or nursing home. You select a long-term care insurance policy value such as $250,000, $500,000 or a $1,000,000. Learn more >

Are there alternatives to long-term care insurance?

Few people like buying insurance, but the alternatives are often less attractive.

  1. Having your spouse or adult children provide your care are often not viable options. An elderly spouse may be physically unable to provide the care needed, and children are often busy with working or taking care of their own families.
  2. Self-funding your care can be an expensive alternative. You would have to set aside a large sum of money for future long-term care needs. Considering the cost of care and inflation, insurance premiums are often a better alternative.
  3. Another option is to ignore the risk and hope it doesn’t happen to you. But, there’s a high probability you will need some long-term care, and your spouse or someone in your family will have to deal with it.
    Compare your options >
How does hybrid long-term care insurance work?

A hybrid long-term care insurance policy combines the benefits of traditional long-term care insurance with either life insurance, or an annuity. If the policy is not used for long-term care needs, it provides a partial or full death benefit to your loved ones. Premiums are guaranteed to never increase with some plans. Learn more >

How to buy long-term care insurance?

Your best source is from a Long-Term Care Advisor with substantial experience in LTC insurance underwriting, policy design, and claims. A licensed professional who represents several companies can find you the best coverage at the best value.

Some people turn to their financial advisor for long-term health care planning, but this is not their core competency. Many only work with one or two companies and have limited experience with the features and benefits of these products. Also, most have never filed a long-term care claim and don’t understand the process. As a result, many financial advisors partner with us to ensure their clients get the best service. Compare coverage options >

LTC Costs and Taxes FAQs

Are long-term care premiums tax deductible?

Yes, long-term care insurance premiums are tax deductible under current law. For self-employed business owners, eligible long-term care premiums may be 100% tax deductible when the business purchases long-term care insurance policies for the owner, spouse or dependents. Learn more >

What is the average cost of a nursing home by state?

The national median cost for a private room in a nursing home is over $108,000 per year. These costs continue to rise due to inflation and the pressures of supply and demand. Consider that every day until 2030, 10,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65 and seven out of ten of them will need long-term care services at some point. See nursing home cost by state >

Are group long-term care insurance premiums tax deductible?

Yes, group long-term care insurance premiums can be 100% tax deductible for C-Corporations. It can also be partially deductible for other types of corporations. The employer can also buy coverage for key employees and family members. Learn more >

Is a long-term care insurance income tax coming to my state?

Many states are looking at taxing your wages unless you own a qualified long-term care insurance policy. This follows Washington State that recently implemented a long-term care tax for those who don’t own private long-term care insurance. Learn more >

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