☎ 800-510-8810 Contact Us >

Illinois Long-Term Care Insurance

Compare Plans, Costs & Coverage Options

For more than 30 years, ACACIA Insurance has helped Illinois 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.

Compare Illinois Quotes

TABLE OF CONTENTS

               Clock image of estimated time to read this article.  Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Do I Need Long-Term Care Insurance in Illinois

Many people in Illinois do not realize how often long-term care is needed as they get older or how expensive it can be. It can happen suddenly, and the cost can be different depending on where you live, whether that is Chicago, Springfield, or a smaller town. Knowing the risk and the cost of care in your area can help you decide if long-term care insurance is a good way to protect your money and help your family.

image

Illlinois 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

image

For Illinois 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

image

In 2026, the average for 3 years of long-term care expenses in Illinois is $299,253, or about $99,751 per year. By 2046, that figure is projected to rise to $595,452, or $198,484 per year.3

Illinois Long-Term Care Costs

Long-Term Care Rates in Illinois – 2026
Region Nursing Home
(private room)		 Assisted Living
(private room)		 Home Care
(44 hours/week)
Illinois Average Cost $99,751 $67,545 $79,239
Bloomington $103,576 $69,926 $75,854
Champaign-Urbana $103,008 $71,840 $57,208
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin $141,832 $83,159 $80,724
Decatur $102,891 $71,732 $70,999
Kankakee $103,082 $69,619 $78,607
Moline-Rock Island $107,528 $59,248 $77,320
Peoria $106,481 $60,975 $74,740
Rockford $103,697 $74,699 $70,920
Springfield $99,374 $72,304 $66,414
Source: Rates from the 2026 Nationwide Financial cost of care survey conducted by HVS, site accessed 3/04/2026

About Medicare and Long-Term Care

Medicare External link icon. provides very limited long-term care coverage, primarily up to 100 days of skilled nursing care following a 3-day hospital stay. It does not cover custodial care (help with daily activities), which represents over 90% of long-term care needs. This limited coverage is why many Illinois residents consider long-term care insurance. Get complete details about Medicare’s limited LTC coverage.

 

When To Buy Long-Term Care Insurance

When is the best age to get long-term care insurance? The answer depends on your health, budget, and goals. The points below can help you understand the most common timing considerations.

  • Forties: Buying earlier can lock in even lower premiums and secure coverage while your health is strong. However, you may pay for a longer period before you need care.
  • Fifties to early sixties: Many experts recommend this timeframe because premiums are lower and most people are still in good health. You may pay premiums for more years, but the overall cost can still be less than if you wait.
  • Late sixties: This can work for people who are healthy and have funds available, but premiums are much higher at these ages. Health issues also become more common, which may limit discounts or make it harder to qualify. If you become ill before applying, you may need to pay all long-term care costs yourself.

One of our licensed Illinois long-term care professionals can pre-qualify any health concerns and provide you with quote comparisons.

Find Out If You Qualify

Types of Long-Term Care Insurance in Illinois

Illinois residents have several long-term care insurance options to protect against the high costs of care. Understanding each type helps you choose the best coverage for your situation and budget.

card-image

Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance

  • What It Is: A standalone policy specifically designed to cover comprehensive long-term care expenses, including in-home care, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. These policies are fully portable and provide coverage wherever you receive care.
  • Coverage Benefits: Provides the most extensive long-term care coverage per dollar spent with flexible daily or monthly benefit amounts for your selected benefit period. Ideal for Illinois residents planning comprehensive care coverage.
  • Premium Structure: Recurring payments (monthly, quarterly, or annually). Premiums may experience rate adjustments over time based on insurance company claims experience.
  • Health Requirements: Requires full medical underwriting with stricter health qualifications than hybrid options. Your current health can significantly impact eligibility and premium costs for Illinois applicants.
  • Tax Advantages for Illinois Residents: Premiums for tax-qualified long-term care insurance policies may qualify as medical expenses for federal tax deductions (subject to income thresholds). Illinois follows federal tax treatment, and benefits received are generally tax-free.
  • Compare Illinois State Traditional LTC Plans >
card-image

Life Insurance with Long-Term Care Rider (Hybrid Life + LTC)

  • What It Is: A permanent life insurance policy with an added LTC benefit rider that allows policyholders to access the death benefit early for qualified long-term care expenses, regardless of where care is received.
  • Coverage Benefits: Typically provides 2-4% of the death benefit monthly for long-term care with guaranteed cash value growth. Unused benefits pass to beneficiaries tax-free.
  • Premium Structure: Guaranteed level premiums designed not to increase. Higher initial cost than traditional LTC insurance but protected from future rate increases. Can provide important stability for Illinois residents on fixed incomes.
  • Health Requirements: Moderate medical underwriting with more flexible health guidelines than traditional LTC insurance, making qualification easier for many Illinois applicants with health issues.
  • Tax Advantages for Illinois Residents: Can utilize 1035 exchanges from appropriate existing policies without tax consequences and can be funded with qualified retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s).
  • Compare Illinois State Hybrid Life/LTC Plans >
card-image

Annuity with Long-Term Care Rider (LTC Annuity)

  • What It Is: A fixed rate or indexed deferred annuity contract with an integrated long-term care benefit rider, ideal for those seeking asset protection with a simplified approval process. Coverage is portable and can be used anywhere care is needed.
  • Coverage Benefits: Typically multiplies your annuity value by 2-3 times for long-term care expenses. For example, a $100,000 annuity might provide $200,000-$300,000 in LTC coverage. If not exhausted for healthcare, the annuity value transfers to your estate at death.
  • Premium Structure: Can be purchased with a single premium payment with NO future premium payments or rate increases. Best for Illinois residents with existing assets to reposition for long-term care planning.
  • Health Requirements: Simplified underwriting with the most lenient health qualifications, sometimes requiring only a phone interview rather than medical exams or records review. Ideal for Illinois residents with health concerns.
  • Tax Advantages for Illinois Residents: Supports tax-free 1035 exchanges from existing annuities, and LTC benefits are generally received tax-free under current Illinois and federal tax regulations.
  • Compare Illinois LTC Annuity Plans >
card-image

Short-Term Care Insurance

  • What It Is: Provides coverage for care in a nursing home, assisted living, or at home for a shorter duration, typically up to 12 months. Coverage is portable and can be used wherever you need short-term care.
  • Coverage Benefits: Helps cover costs for short-term care needs, including recovery from surgery, illness, or injury. Most policies have a 0-day deductible with benefits paid as soon as you qualify. This bridges gaps before long-term care insurance or Medicare coverage begins for services like home health aides.
  • Premium Structure: Generally lower than long-term care insurance due to the shorter benefit period, making it an affordable option for many Illinois families.
  • Health Requirements: Often features simplified underwriting with fewer health questions, making it easier to qualify. Very helpful for Illinois residents who may not meet traditional long-term care insurance health or age requirements.
  • Short-Term Care Insurance Details >

Illinois Long-Term Care Partnership Program

Medicaid Asset Protection in Illinois

The Illinois Long-Term Care Partnership Program External link is a collaboration between the State of Illinois and private insurance companies. It helps Illinois residents protect their savings while planning for future long-term care needs.

A key benefit is Medicaid asset protection. If your care needs last longer than your policy benefits, a Partnership-certified policy may allow you to keep more of your assets if you later apply for Medicaid External link.

To learn how Partnership policies work, what they protect, and which companies offer Partnership-certified coverage, visit our Illinois Long-Term Care Partnership Guide.

image

Long-Term Care Insurance Companies in Illinois

Illinois residents have access to long-term care insurance from a wide range of trusted, financially strong carriers. We work with multiple top-rated LTC insurance providers to help you find a plan that fits your age, health, and budget, whether you’re looking for a traditional policy or a hybrid life + LTC option.

Below is a list of long-term care insurance companies available in Illinois:

AARP member? Learn about AARP long-term care insurance options >

These companies offer a mix of traditional and asset-based (hybrid) long-term care insurance policies. Availability and pricing vary based on your age, health history, and the type of coverage you need.

 

 

Cost of Long-Term Care Insurance in Illinois

Most Illinois residents pay about $2,000 –$3,000 per year for a comprehensive long-term care policy. Costs can range from $1,500 –$5,000 annually depending on age, health, and plan design.

Several factors influence your premium:

  • Age at purchase: Buying at 55 vs 65 can save thousands over time
  • Current health status: Better health means lower rates
  • Daily or monthly benefit amount: Typically $100 to $300 per day
  • Total coverage limit: Usually $100,000 to $500,000+
  • Elimination period: 30, 60, or 90-day waiting period before benefits start
  • Inflation protection: Protects against rising care costs

Why quotes vary: Pricing depends on underwriting and plan design. Insurers weigh these factors differently, so comparing multiple carriers helps you find the best value.

Illinois Long-Term Care Insurance Quotes

Our licensed Illinois professionals help you compare long-term care insurance options with clear, unbiased guidance. You’ll receive personalized help with:

✔  Finding coverage that fits your budget and the protection you want

✔  Matching you with top-rated Illinois insurers based on your needs

✔ Exploring options even if you have pre-existing health conditions

Ready to compare quotes?

Compare Quotes Now
image

ACACIA Insurance Reviews

What Our Clients Are Saying

FAQs About LTC Insurance in Illinois

Do I need long-term care insurance in Illinois?

Many Illinois residents buy long-term care insurance to help protect savings and reduce the financial burden on family. If you want help paying for home care, assisted living, or nursing home care later in life, an LTC policy may make sense.

How do I compare long-term care insurance quotes in Illinois?

The best way is to compare multiple top-rated carriers based on your age, health, and budget. Plan design and underwriting vary, so shopping more than one company can help you find better value.

Does Medicare cover long-term care in Illinois?

Medicare generally does not cover long-term custodial care in Illinois (help with daily activities). It may cover a limited period of skilled care after a qualifying hospital stay, but most ongoing long-term care costs are not covered.

Read more: Medicare and Long-Term Care: What’s Covered (and What’s Not)

Does Illinois have a Long-Term Care Partnership Program?

Yes. Illinois has a Long-Term Care Partnership Program that lets you protect assets if you later apply for Medicaid, as long as you buy a Partnership-certified long-term care insurance policy.

How does the Illinois Long-Term Care Partnership Program work?

With a Partnership policy, benefits you use for long-term care may allow you to keep more assets if you later need Medicaid. The key is that the policy must be Partnership-qualified under Illinois rules.

Learn more in our Illinois Long-Term Care Partnership Guide

When is the best age to buy long-term care insurance in Illinois?

Many people apply in their 50s to early 60s because prices are often lower and qualifying is easier when health is stronger. Waiting until the late 60s can mean higher premiums and more health restrictions.

Learn more about: When To Buy Long-Term Care Insurance

How much does long-term care insurance cost in Illinois?

Long-term care insurance costs in Illinois vary by age, health, and plan design. Many people pay around $2,000–$3,000 per year for comprehensive coverage, but quotes can be higher or lower depending on benefits, waiting period, and inflation protection.

See Illinois cost details: Cost of Long-Term Care Insurance in Illinois

Last updated: March 04, 2026

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 03/04/2026
2. “How Much Care Will You Need?” LongTermCare.gov
3. Nationwide Financial 2025 Cost of Care Survey conducted by HVS, Accessed 03/04/2026
4. “Who Will Provide Your Care?” LongTermCare.gov
5. Family Caregiver Alliance Caregiver.org, Accessed 03/04/2026

Note: Coverages and features vary between insurers, differ by state, and may not be available in all locations.