Find a plan that’s right for you with our highly rated insurance companies, multiple plan options, and expert long-term care advisors.
Owning LTC coverage in California 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.
California Long-Term Care Rates – 2024 (annual) | |||
Nursing Home (private room) | Assisted Living (private room) | Home Care (44 hours/week) | |
State Average | $131,349 | $72,570 | $72,846 |
Region | Nursing Home Care | Assisted Living Facility | Home Health Care |
Bakersfield | $114,027 | $48,784 | $59,853 |
Chico | $130,390 | $59,409 | $68,751 |
El Centro | $131,349 | $58,545 | $68,694 |
Fresno | $132,533 | $53,581 | $69,339 |
Hanford-Corcoran | $138,691 | $57,476 | $72,846 |
Los Angeles | $117,802 | $76,053 | $66,683 |
Madera | $112,292 | $50,563 | $70,044 |
Merced | $123,706 | $59,779 | $75,650 |
Modesto | $140,611 | $50,907 | $69,346 |
Napa | $165,669 | $92,658 | $70,025 |
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $127,385 | $72,733 | $78,442 |
Redding | $133,406 | $62,894 | $71,445 |
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $119,579 | $55,036 | $69,208 |
Sacramento-Roseville | $125,380 | $72,404 | $66,419 |
Salinas | $142,655 | $87,917 | $81,479 |
San Diego-Carlsbad | $135,241 | $66,530 | $64,620 |
San Francisco | $140,819 | $86,920 | $79,249 |
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $135,713 | $89,618 | $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 |
Medicare does not pay for 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 activities of daily living (walking, bathing, dressing, eating 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 from unpaid caregivers. And more than half of this care includes intensive help with personal care like bathing or dressing.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
The best age to buy long-term care insurance is when you’re in your fifties or early sixties. Here’s why this makes financial sense:
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 from long-term care costs.
The 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 exempt 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.
California LTC Partnership insurance premiums are like regular policies. We still recommend comparing them with traditional long-term policies. You may find that non-Partnership policies have options that better fit your needs. Including Hybrid Long-Term Care Insurance plans not available under the California Partnership for Long-Term Care. Know that all plans are regulated by the California Department of Insurance.
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 today. This does not affect current, active insureds who are Partnership qualified.
Traditional and Hybrid Long-Term Care Insurance plans are available.
California does NOT take part in the national reciprocity agreement. The majority of states have Partnership Reciprocity but California is one of the exceptions.
In states with Reciprocity, you can:
Which are the best long-term care insurance companies in California? It depends on your personal situation because it relates to age, health and other factors. Choosing a high ranking company is important, but the plan must have the right set of benefits for your needs.
Our licensed professionals will help you choose the best long-term care insurance company for your situation. Here are the companies we can compare for you:
Our specialists offer 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
✔ Help with medical underwriting (qualifying) for insurance coverage
About the Author: Craig Matesky
Reviewed by: Mike Berger