Long-Term Care Insurance California Options

Find a plan that’s right for you with our highly rated insurance companies, multiple plan options, and expert long-term care advisors.
  • Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Hybrid Life Insurance with LTC
  • Long-Term Care Annuities
 

Highly Rated Companies

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Long-term care insurance can play a significant role in your family’s future well-being. By planning ahead you can provide security and peace of mind for years to come by knowing you can:

   Secure quality, affordable long-term care.

   Safeguard your assets for your spouse and other heirs.

   Relieve family members and friends from having to provide extended-care.

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Did You Know?

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Almost 70% of people turning age 65 today will need some type of long-term care in the future. The average length of time people need care is 3 years.1

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One-third of people may never need long-term care, but 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

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In 2024, the average cost for 3 years of long-term care in California is $476,325 ($158,775 per year). That cost is projected to be $860,295 ($286,765 per year) in 2044.3 Learn more >

Does Medicare Cover Long-Term Care?

No, Medicare does not cover long-term care (custodial care). This type of care makes up more than 90% of all long-term care services. Examples of custodial care is when you need help with walking, bathing, eating, dressing or using the toilet. This is what people need most when they have a physical impairment from a stroke. Or, due to cognitive impairment from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Don’t make the mistake of thinking Medicare covers long-term care costs. It doesn’t.

Further, about 80% of care at home is provided by unpaid caregivers. With more than half of this care including intensive caregiving assistance with personal care such as bathing or feeding.4 And it’s not only seniors that need long-term care. Over 35 percent of people currently receiving care are between the ages of 18 and 64.5

When To Buy Long-Term Care Insurance?

We’re often asked the best age to buy long-term care insurance. Like most financial planners, we recommend planning for long-term care in your fifties or early sixties for the following reasons:

  • The younger you are when you secure a long-term care plan, the lower the annual premiums.
  • Even though you pay premiums a longer period of time, you’ll typically pay less overall than someone buying at an older age.
  • By the time you reach your mid sixties, you’re more likely to have a medical condition that makes you ineligible for a preferred-health discount, or make it through medical underwriting at all.
    Find Out Which Plans You May Qualify For >
  • While you’re waiting, you’re uninsured. If an accident or illness happens causing you to need long-term care, you’ll have to cover long-term expenses out of pocket.

Another consideration is that California is currently looking at taxing those who do not own long-term care insurance. If approved, the state may allow a short amount of time for people to buy LTC insurance to avoid the tax but this detail is unknown. Learn more >

 

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California Long-Term Care Insurance Options

Long-term care insurance options in California include: Traditional LTC, Hybrid Life LTC, and Hybrid Annuity LTC. Another alternative is Short-Term Care Insurance which is typically chosen because of health or age limitations.

 

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Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance

  • The most comprehensive long-term care coverage for your dollar
  • About half of all long-term care plans purchased, including California Long-Term Care Partnership program policies
  • The broadest set of options
  • Recurring premiums
  • Learn more about Traditional LTC >
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Life Insurance with Long-Term Care Rider

  • A permanent life insurance policy that can be used during your lifetime if you need long-term healthcare
  • If care is not needed, your asset passes to your estate as a tax-free death benefit
  • May build cash value and have a return of insurance premium option
  • Premiums will not increase and 1035 exchanges possible
  • Learn more about Hybrid Life with LTC >
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Annuity with Long-Term Care Rider

  • A deferred annuity contract with a fixed interest rate and possible indexing for asset growth plus long-term care benefits
  • If not exhausted paying for long-term healthcare, the annuity will transfer to your estate
  • Long-term care benefits are typically double or triple the value of the annuity
  • Premiums will not increase and 1035 exchanges possible
  • Learn more about Hybrid Annuities with LTC >

California Long-Term Care Partnership

California Partnership for Long-Term Care policies combine private long-term care insurance with Medicaid (Medi-Cal) asset protection. Only Partnership program policies provide this type of Medicaid asset protection when you need nursing facility, assisted living facility or home health care.

The unique asset protection benefits of the California Partnership for Long-Term Care program apply if your long-term healthcare needs last longer than the insurance benefits of your Partnership policy. For example, for every dollar your California Partnership for LTC policy pays in health care costs, a dollar of assets is protected from the long-term care Medicaid (Medi-Cal) asset limit. The protected assets are also exempt from Estate Recovery in the same amount as the health care costs paid by your Partnership policy.

Even though California Partnership for Long-Term Care insurance premiums are like regular policies, we recommend comparing them with regular long-term policies. You may find that non-Partnership policies have options that better fit your needs. This includes Hybrid Long-Term Care Insurance plans not available under the California Partnership for Long-Term Care.

NOTE: As of the date of this writing, no insurance companies are currently offering LTC Partnership qualified products in California. This means you cannot buy a California Partnership for Long-Term Care policy at this time. This does not affect current, active insureds who are Partnership qualified.

Traditional non-Partnership and Hybrid Long-Term Care Insurance plans are available.

California long term care insurance partnership.

Partnership Reciprocity

California does NOT participate in the national reciprocity agreement.

In states with Reciprocity, you can buy a qualifying Partnership for Long-Term Care policy in one state and maintain the special asset protection benefit when you move to another state with reciprocity. Your new state would recognize accumulated asset protection for Medicaid qualification if you’re already receiving benefits from your LTC Partnership policy before moving. The majority of states have Partnership Reciprocity and California is one of the exceptions.

How Much Is Long-Term Care Insurance In California?

How much your long-term care insurance costs in California depends on your age, health history, plan design and type of insurance selected. The following lets you choose how much long-term care coverage is right for your situation:

  • Benefit Period
  • Daily Benefit
  • Elimination Period (a deductible in days)
  • Inflation Protection (if chosen)

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Best Long-Term Care Insurance Companies in California

What is the best long-term care insurance company in California? The answer depends on your personal situation. Besides being with a high ranking company, the plan needs to have the right set of benefits for your needs.

Our LTC Advisors help you choose the best long-term care plan for your situation. We compare several insurance companies to find you the right plan at the lowest cost. Here is a list of long-term care insurance providers in California we can compare for you:

Compare Long-Term Care Insurance Options

Our specialists offer objective guidance on a wide range of long-term care planning products and strategies. Expect personalized service on topics such as:

   Choosing from a variety of long-term care planning products

   Suggestions for the insurance company best suited to your situation and goals

   Assistance with medical underwriting (qualifying) for insurance coverage

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What Our Customers Say

 


1. “How Much Care Will You Need?” LongTermCare.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, site accessed 3/12/2024
2. “How Much Care Will You Need?” LongTermCare.gov
3. Cost of Care Survey conducted by Carescout® 
4. “Who Will Provide Your Care?” LongTermCare.gov
5. Family Caregiver Alliance Caregiver.org, site accessed 3/12/2024
Note: Coverages and other features vary between insurers, vary by state, and are not available in all states.