California Long-Term Care Insurance
Compare Plans, Costs & Coverage Options
For more than 30 years, ACACIA Insurance has helped California residents plan for their long-term care needs. As fully independent advisors, we compare long-term care insurance plans and highly rated companies to provide personalized, unbiased recommendations.
We review benefits, features, and pricing to help you choose the long-term care insurance coverage that fits your goals and your budget.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Do I Need Long-Term Care Insurance in California?
- Types of Long-Term Care Insurance in California
- California Partnership for Long-Term Care
- Long-Term Care Insurance Companies in California
- California Long-Term Care Insurance Rates
- California Long-Term Care Insurance Quotes
- FAQs About Long-Term Care Insurance in California
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Do I Need Long-Term Care Insurance in California
Many California residents are surprised by how common long-term care needs become later in life and by how quickly expenses can add up. Care often begins unexpectedly, and costs vary widely between metro areas such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area. Understanding your personal risk and the typical cost of care where you live can help you decide whether long-term care insurance is a practical way to protect your savings and support your family.
Who Needs Care
California residents face the same long-term care risks as the rest of the country. Nearly 70% of people turning 65 today will need some form of long-term care in the future, with an average duration of about three years.1
How Long It Lasts
For California families, this means planning ahead is essential. While one-third of people may never need long-term care, 20% will need it for longer than 5 years. On average, women need 3.7 years of care while men need 2.2 years.2
What It Costs
In 2025, the average for 3 years of long-term care expenses in California is $408,306, or about $136,102 per year. By 2045, that figure is projected to rise to $894,648, or $298,216 per year.3
California Long-Term Care Costs
Long-term care costs in California vary widely depending on the region, and some metro areas are significantly more expensive than others. The table below shows the 2025 average cost of care in several major locations, with a complete list of all 26 regions available at the bottom of the grid.
Long-Term Care Rates in California – 2025 | |||
| Nursing Home (private room) | Assisted Living (private room) | Home Care (44 hours) | |
| California Average | $136,102 | $80,292 | $83,696 |
| Los Angeles–Long Beach | $129,323 | $78,899 | $77,987 |
| Riverside–San Bernadino–Ontario | $118,476 | $60,291 | $81,151 |
| Sacramento–Roseville | $134,023 | $80,856 | $76,860 |
| San Diego–Carlsbad | $143,514 | $79,283 | $79,476 |
| San Francisco–Oakland | $148,372 | $96,299 | $96,815 |
| San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara | $162,579 | $94,347 | $86,334 |
| Region | Nursing Home | Assisted Living | Home Care |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $108,487 | $53,590 | $75,761 |
| Chico | $137,926 | $62,961 | $80,089 |
| El Centro | $136,603 | $60,887 | $70,754 |
| Fresno | $126,760 | $69,595 | $76,642 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $145,626 | $59,775 | $75,031 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach | $129,323 | $78,899 | $77,987 |
| Merced | $119,413 | $51,572 | $77,373 |
| Modesto | $149,030 | $51,541 | $59,792 |
| Napa | $171,483 | $98,175 | $71,426 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $135,327 | $75,461 | $91,921 |
| Redding | $147,483 | $63,500 | $80,345 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $118,476 | $60,291 | $81,151 |
| Sacramento-Roseville | $134,023 | $80,856 | $76,860 |
| Salinas | $137,682 | $92,666 | $80,737 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad | $143,514 | $79,283 | $79,476 |
| San Francisco-Oakland | $148,372 | $96,299 | $96,815 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $162,579 | $94,347 | $86,334 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $128,620 | $80,177 | $69,860 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $126,812 | $95,561 | $90,554 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $171,030 | $82,231 | $74,318 |
| Santa Rosa-San Rafael | $140,107 | $86,517 | $85,323 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $127,035 | $53,002 | $73,120 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield | $124,590 | $74,298 | $63,419 |
| Visalia-Porterville | $99,764 | $55,928 | $69,771 |
| Yuba City | $123,935 | $55,989 | $80,162 |
See how these California costs compare nationwide in our Long-Term Care Cost Guide.
Source: Nationwide Financial 2025 Cost of Care Survey (HVS), accessed November 17, 2025.
About Medicare and Long-Term Care
Medicare 
provides very limited long-term care coverage. It may cover up to 100 days of skilled nursing care after a qualifying 3-day hospital stay, but it does not cover custodial care, which includes help with bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities. Custodial care represents over 90% of long-term care needs for California residents.
Learn more about Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage >
When To Buy Long-Term Care Insurance
When is the best age to get long-term care insurance? It depends on your health, finances, and goals, but there are general guidelines that apply to most California residents:
- Your 50s or early 60s are typically the best time to buy. Premiums are lower at this age and you’re more likely to qualify for health discounts.
- Buying earlier, such as in your 40s, may result in even lower premiums and guarantees coverage while you’re healthy. But you would pay premiums for a longer period.
- Waiting until your late 60s may make sense for some people, but premiums rise significantly and more applicants are declined due to health conditions. Discounts are often no longer available.
One of our licensed California long-term care professionals can help you determine the best timing based on your health and goals and provide personalized quote comparisons.
Check Eligibility Now >Types of Long-Term Care Insurance in California
California residents can choose from several types of long-term care insurance policies, each offering different advantages for cost, underwriting, tax treatment, and benefit structure. Understanding the differences can help you decide which type of coverage best fits your health, financial goals, and long-term care plans.
Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance
- Design: A standalone policy specifically designed to cover long-term care expenses such as in-home care, assisted living, and nursing homes. Provides the most comprehensive long-term care benefits for the cost.
- Benefits: Offers the broadest range of benefit options. Provides a daily or monthly benefit for a set period or sometimes for life, depending on the policy.
- Premiums: Recurring premiums paid monthly, quarterly, or annually. Premiums may increase in the future.
- Underwriting: Requires full medical underwriting, and health status affects eligibility and cost.
- Tax Advantages: Premiums may be tax-deductible, and benefits are generally tax-free.
- About Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance >
Life Insurance with Long-Term Care Rider (Hybrid Life + LTC)
- Design: Combines permanent life insurance with an LTC rider that allows access to the death benefit for long-term care. If care is never needed, remaining benefits pass to beneficiaries tax-free.
- Benefits: May offer guaranteed cash value and optional Return of Premium features.
- Premiums: Guaranteed level premiums that do not increase. Higher initial cost, but more stable than traditional LTC insurance.
- Underwriting: Medical underwriting is typically more flexible than for standalone LTC policies.
- Tax Advantages: Allows tax-free 1035 exchanges and may be funded with qualified dollars (IRA, 401(k), etc.) using approved structures.
- About Life Insurance with Long-Term Care >
Annuity with Long-Term Care Rider (LTC Annuity)
- Design: A deferred annuity with an LTC rider. Includes a fixed interest rate and possible indexing for growth, while also multiplying your annuity value for long-term care.
- Benefits: LTC benefits are typically double or triple the annuity value. If unused for care, remaining value transfers to your estate.
- Premiums: Single-premium funding with no future premium increases.
- Underwriting: The simplest underwriting of all LTC-related products; often just a phone interview.
- Tax Advantages: Supports tax-free 1035 exchanges from existing annuities.
- Long-Term Care Annuity Details >
California Partnership for Long-Term Care
The California Partnership for Long-Term Care 
is a state-endorsed program that pairs private long-term care insurance with special Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) 
asset protection. Partnership-certified policies help protect a portion of your savings if your care needs exceed your policy benefits and you later need to apply for Medi-Cal.
Under the Partnership rules, every dollar your policy pays for care protects one dollar of your assets from Medi-Cal’s asset limits and from estate recovery. This feature helps many California residents preserve savings, property, or a family home.
Learn how the program works and see the latest updates in our California Partnership for Long-Term Care Guide.
Long-Term Care Insurance Companies in California
Which long-term care insurance companies are best in California? The answer depends on your age, health, budget, and the type of long-term care coverage you want. A strong financial rating is important, but the right company for you is the one whose benefits and underwriting align well with your personal situation.
One of our licensed California long-term care insurance professionals can help you compare companies by:
- Evaluating the pros and cons of each insurer, including benefits, financial strength, and premium options
- Exploring alternatives such as hybrid LTC policies or self-funding strategies if traditional LTC insurance isn’t the right fit
- Identifying which carriers are most likely to approve coverage based on your medical history
USAA member? Compare long-term care insurance options ›
List of Long-Term Care Insurance Companies in California
- Bankers Life & Casualty
- Global Atlantic
- Lincoln Financial – MoneyGuard
- Mutual of Omaha
- National Guardian Life
(NGL) - Nationwide Life Insurance Company
- New York Life
- Northwestern Mutual
- OneAmerica
- Securian Financial
- Thrivent Financial
California Long-Term Care Insurance Rates
California long-term care insurance rates depend on several factors including your age, health history, plan design, and the type of policy you choose. The features below help you customize a plan that fits your needs and budget:
- Benefit Period: Choose how long your benefits last based on your financial goals and desired protection level.
- Daily Benefit: Select a daily or monthly benefit amount that reflects care costs in your part of California.
- Elimination Period: A deductible measured in days. This determines how soon your policy begins paying for care.
- Inflation Protection: Helps your benefits keep pace with rising care costs over time.
California LTC Insurance Cost
The first table shows estimated monthly premiums for applicants purchasing $144,000 in level benefits with preferred health discounts and no inflation protection:
Monthly LTC Cost in California (Level Benefits) | |||
| Age 55 | Age 60 | Age 65 | |
| Male | $77 | $93 | $139 |
| Female | $111 | $139 | $210 |
| Couple | $151 | $185 | $279 |
For the same applicants, choosing 3% annual inflation protection increases the monthly LTC insurance cost, and the estimated monthly costs are:
Monthly LTC Cost in California (3% Inflation) | |||
| Age 55 | Age 60 | Age 65 | |
| Male | $139 | $158 | $205 |
| Female | $232 | $266 | $347 |
| Couple | $296 | $339 | $442 |
California Long-Term Care Insurance Quotes
Our California long-term care specialists help you compare a wide range of planning products and strategies. You’ll receive personalized recommendations based on your age, health, and goals, along with guidance on the insurance companies best suited to your situation. You’ll get professional advice with:
✔ Choosing from multiple long-term care planning products
✔ Suggestions for the insurance company best suited to your needs
✔ Help with medical underwriting (qualifying) for coverage
Ready to start a conversation?
Get started now >
California Long-Term Care Insurance FAQs
Many California residents choose long-term care insurance to protect their savings from the rising cost of care. Because care needs often begin unexpectedly, and expenses vary widely across the state, having coverage can help you avoid spending down retirement assets or relying on family members. If you prefer to maintain financial independence and want predictable protection against future care costs, long-term care insurance may be a smart part of your overall plan.
Long-term care insurance costs in California depend on your age, health, and the type of plan you choose. In 2025, monthly premiums for a healthy 55-year-old range from about $77 to $232 depending on whether you choose level benefits or inflation protection. Couples typically receive discounted pricing. Costs increase with age, so applying in your 50s or early 60s usually results in the lowest rates.
Yes. California is actively studying a long-term care payroll tax to fund a statewide program. A Long-Term Care Insurance Task Force is reviewing options similar to Washington State’s 2023 long-term care tax for residents who do not own private LTC insurance.
No legislation has been passed yet, but proposals suggest that Californians who purchase private LTC insurance before a set date may be allowed to opt out of the payroll tax. New developments are expected in 2025.
In California, as in other states, your age and health history determine eligibility for long-term care insurance. Many people with medical conditions may still qualify.
However, certain conditions may result in denial, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, significant mobility limitations, or already needing long-term care. Long-term care annuities have simpler underwriting and may be a good alternative for people with health issues.
The three types of long-term care insurance available in California are:
- Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance: Designed specifically to cover long-term care expenses such as in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home care.
- Life Insurance with Long-Term Care Rider: Combines permanent life insurance with a rider that provides long-term care benefits if needed. If care isn’t needed, your policy’s death benefit passes to your beneficiaries tax-free.
- Annuity with Long-Term Care Rider: A deferred annuity that includes a rider for long-term care expenses. Offers a fixed interest rate and potential indexing for growth. If long-term care benefits aren’t fully used, the remaining annuity value transfers to your estate at death.
California Partnership for Long-Term Care policies combine private long-term care insurance with asset protection under Medicaid (Medi-Cal). This state-endorsed feature helps protect your assets if you later need long-term care.
Additional information is provided in the California Partnership section above on this page.
ACACIA Insurance Reviews
What Our Clients Are Saying
Last updated: November 17, 2025
Written by: Craig Matesky, President, ACACIA Insurance
Reviewed by: Mike Berger, National Sales Manager
Sources:
1. “How Much Care Will You Need?” LongTermCare.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Accessed 11/17/2025
2. “How Much Care Will You Need?” LongTermCare.gov
3. Nationwide Financial 2025 Cost of Care Survey conducted by HVS, Accessed 11/17/2025
4. “Who Will Provide Your Care?” LongTermCare.gov
5. Family Caregiver Alliance Caregiver.org, Accessed 11/17/2025
Note: Coverages and features vary between insurers, differ by state, and may not be available in all locations.