Ohio Long-Term Care Insurance
Compare Plans, Costs & Coverage Options
For more than 30 years, ACACIA Insurance has helped Ohio residents plan for their long-term care needs. As fully independent advisors, we compare highly rated insurance companies and policy types so you receive personalized and unbiased recommendations.
We review benefits, features, and pricing to help you choose the long-term care insurance plan that fits your goals and your budget.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Do I Need Long-Term Care Insurance in Ohio?
- Types of Long-Term Care Insurance in Ohio
- Ohio Long-Term Care Partnership Program
- Ohio Long-Term Care Insurance Companies
- Average cost of Long-Term Care Insurance in Ohio
- FAQs About Long-Term Care Insurance in Ohio
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Do I Need LTC Insurance in Ohio?
Many Ohio residents are surprised by how common long-term care needs become later in life and how quickly the costs can grow. Care often begins unexpectedly, and prices vary across the state in cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Knowing your personal risk and the typical cost of care in your area can help you decide if long-term care insurance is a practical way to protect your savings and your family.
Ohio 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
For Ohio 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
In 2026, three years in a private nursing home at Ohio’s statewide average would cost about $333,528, or $111,176 per year. By 2046, that annual cost is projected to reach $221,216.3
Ohio Long-Term Care Costs – 2026 (Annual) | |||
| Region | Nursing Home (private room) | Assisted Living (private room) | Home Care (44 hours/week) |
| Ohio State Average | $111,176 | $65,959 | $75,321 |
| Region | Nursing Home (private room) | Assisted Living (private room) | Home Care (44 hours/week) |
| Akron | $114,492 | $67,626 | $75,215 |
| Canton Area | $113,643 | $63,537 | $76,854 |
| Cincinnati Area | $128,370 | $69,992 | $76,790 |
| Cleveland | $124,037 | $67,058 | $73,515 |
| Columbus | $112,169 | $63,336 | $75,344 |
| Dayton Area | $119,757 | $77,433 | $77,288 |
| Huntington-Ashland Area | $105,618 | $60,839 | $64,900 |
| Lima | $109,916 | $68,533 | $65,881 |
| Mansfield | $107,498 | $62,359 | $78,411 |
| Springfield | $106,223 | $57,524 | $68,056 |
| Toledo | $97,597 | $71,576 | $76,988 |
| Steubenville-Weirton Area | $90,354 | $73,666 | $83,117 |
| Wheeling Area | $106,202 | $57,261 | $72,342 |
| Rest of Ohio | $96,622 | $61,245 | $63,054 |
Source: Nationwide long-term care cost calculator, 2026 data
About Medicare and Long-Term Care
Medicare 
generally does not cover ongoing long-term or custodial care. Medicare Part A may cover short-term skilled nursing facility care for up to 100 days per benefit period when specific eligibility requirements are met. It does not generally pay for ongoing help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, or toileting. Learn more about Medicare and custodial care.
When To Buy Long-Term Care Insurance
The optimal age to purchase long-term care insurance is typically between your mid-50s and early 60s. During this period, premiums are more affordable, and you’re more likely to be in good health and qualify for coverage. Delaying can lead to higher premiums or challenges in qualifying due to health concerns.
However, purchasing too early means paying premiums for many years before you’re likely to need benefits, which may not be cost-effective. The right time depends on your health, financial situation, and risk tolerance.
A balanced approach is to start exploring options in your 50s when you may be able to lock in better rates with preferred health discounts. Consulting with a long-term care insurance specialist can help determine the best timing based on your individual circumstances and goals.
Find Out If You QualifyTypes of Long-Term Care Insurance in Ohio
Choosing the right long-term care insurance in Ohio starts with understanding the different types of policies available. Each option offers unique benefits, underwriting requirements, and pricing. Below is an overview of the four main types of long-term care coverage Ohioans use to plan for future care needs.
Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance
- Design: Specifically designed to cover long-term care expenses, such as in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home care. Provides the most comprehensive long-term care benefits for your dollar.
- Benefits: The broadest set of options & benefits. Provides a daily or monthly benefit for a set period or the policyholder’s lifetime, depending on the policy terms.
- Premiums: Recurring premiums paid monthly, quarterly, or annually. Possibility of premium increases over time.
- Underwriting: Requires medical underwriting, where health status impacts eligibility and premium costs.
- Tax Advantages: Premiums may be tax-deductible, and benefits are generally tax-free for qualified long-term care policies.
- About Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance >
Life Insurance with Long-Term Care Rider
- Design: Combines permanent life insurance with a rider allowing access to benefits you can use for long-term healthcare. If LTC benefits are not fully used, a remaining death benefit is generally paid to your beneficiaries as a tax-free death benefit.
- Benefits: May build cash value and have a Return of Premium option.
- Premiums: Premiums will NOT increase. Cost is higher than standard life insurance due to the added rider, but often more cost-effective than separate policies.
- Underwriting: Medical underwriting is usually less strict than traditional long-term care insurance.
- Tax Advantages: 1035 exchanges may be available, and certain strategies can use retirement assets (IRA, 401k, etc.) to help fund coverage.
- About Life Insurance with Long-Term Care >
Annuity with Long-Term Care Rider
- Design: A deferred annuity contract with a rider to cover long-term care expenses. Includes a fixed interest rate and possible indexing for asset growth.
- Benefits: Long-term care benefits are usually double or triple the value of the annuity. If LTC benefits do not exhaust the contract value, the remaining value passes to your beneficiaries at death.
- Premiums: No premium increases. Can be purchased using a single premium payment.
- Underwriting: Health underwriting is simpler than the other plans available.
- Tax Advantages: Tax-Free 1035 exchanges are possible from an existing annuity to a long-term care annuity.
- About Long-Term Care Annuities >
Short-Term Care Insurance
- Design: Provides coverage for care in a nursing home, assisted living, or at home for a short duration, typically up to 12 months.
- Benefits: Helps cover costs for temporary care needs, including recovery from surgery, illness, or injury. Many policies offer a 0-day elimination period, allowing benefits to begin as soon as eligibility requirements are satisfied. This can bridge gaps before long-term care insurance or Medicare kicks in for services like a home health aide.
- Premiums: Generally lower than long-term care insurance due to the shorter benefit period, making it an affordable option for many.
- Underwriting: Often features simplified underwriting with fewer health questions, making it easier to qualify. This can be very helpful for those who may not meet long-term care insurance health or age requirements.
- Tax Advantages: Premiums may be tax-deductible if the policy qualifies as tax-qualified under federal guidelines.
- About Short-Term Care Insurance >
Ohio Long-Term Care Partnership Program
Ohio Long-Term Care Partnership policies combine private long-term care insurance with a special form of Medicaid asset protection. These plans allow you to keep a matching amount of assets if you ever need to qualify for Medicaid, instead of being forced to spend down your savings.
The State of Ohio also enforces Medicaid Estate Recovery (MERP) , which means the state may seek repayment from your estate after Medicaid pays for long-term care. Assets protected through the Partnership Program may also be protected from Ohio Medicaid estate recovery, up to the applicable Partnership asset-disregard amount.
For many Ohioans, this added protection makes Partnership policies a practical way to plan for care and preserve family wealth.
Learn more about the Ohio Long-Term Care Partnership Program >
Ohio Long-Term Care Insurance Companies
There are several long-term care insurance providers in Ohio. These companies differ in coverage, financial stability, premiums, and underwriting requirements.
As independent advisors, we compare all providers to find the best policy for your needs and budget, focusing on premiums, benefits, and financial strength.
USAA member? See your long-term care insurance options >
AARP member? Review AARP long-term care insurance >
- Brighthouse Financial
- Global Atlantic
- John Hancock Life Insurance Company
- LifeSecure Insurance Company
- Lincoln Financial Group (MoneyGuard)
- Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company
- National Guardian Life (NGL)
- Nationwide Life Insurance Company
- Securian Financial
- State Life Insurance Company (OneAmerica)
- Thrivent Financial
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.
Average Cost of Long-Term Care Insurance in Ohio
How much does long-term care insurance cost in Ohio? Most Ohio residents pay about $2,000–$3,000 per year for a comprehensive long-term care policy. Long-term care insurance in Ohio can cost $1,500 to $5,000+ per year, depending on age, health, gender, benefit design, and other factors.
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.
Ohio Long-Term Care Insurance Quotes
Our Ohio 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
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FAQs about Ohio Long-Term Care Insurance
The cost of long-term care insurance in Ohio depends on your age, health, marital status, benefit amount, benefit period and inflation protection. Rates can also vary significantly between insurance companies for similar coverage. Buying coverage while you are younger and in good health generally results in lower premiums and more options. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers is the best way to determine what long-term care insurance will cost based on your individual needs.
Learn more about long-term care insurance costs >
Ohio residents can buy long-term care insurance from national carriers including Mutual of Omaha, Nationwide, National Guardian Life (NGL), Lincoln Financial (MoneyGuard), Securian Financial, Brighthouse Financial, Global Atlantic, John Hancock, LifeSecure, Thrivent Financial, and State Life Insurance Company (OneAmerica). Coverage, rates, and underwriting vary by carrier, so it’s best to compare quotes from multiple highly rated insurers rather than rely on just one.
Compare long-term care insurance companies >
Yes. Ohio participates in the Qualified Long-Term Care Partnership Program. A Partnership-qualified long-term care insurance policy can provide benefits for covered care while also offering special Medicaid asset protection if you later exhaust your policy benefits and qualify for Medicaid. Not every long-term care policy is Partnership-qualified, so Ohio residents who want this protection should verify that a policy meets the state’s Partnership requirements before purchasing coverage.
Ohio’s Long-Term Care Partnership Program provides a dollar-for-dollar Medicaid asset disregard based on benefits paid by a qualifying Partnership policy. For example, if your Partnership policy pays $300,000 in long-term care benefits, up to $300,000 of assets may generally be disregarded when determining Medicaid eligibility for long-term care. The program can also provide protection from Medicaid estate recovery for qualifying assets. Medicaid rules still apply, so Partnership coverage should be considered as part of a broader long-term care plan.
Learn how Partnership long-term care insurance works >
Ohio residents generally have several ways to insure against long-term care expenses. Traditional long-term care insurance is designed primarily to provide benefits for home care, assisted living and nursing home care. Hybrid or linked-benefit policies combine long-term care benefits with life insurance, while some annuity-based products also provide enhanced long-term care benefits. The best approach depends on your health, age, available assets, desired benefits and whether leaving a death benefit is important to you.
Compare types of long-term care insurance >
Medicare generally does not pay for ongoing custodial long-term care in Ohio or any other state. It may cover certain medically necessary skilled nursing facility or home health services when Medicare’s eligibility requirements are met, but it does not cover extended help with everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, eating or using the bathroom when that is the primary care needed. Long-term care insurance is designed specifically to help address many of these expenses that Medicare does not cover.
Learn what Medicare does and doesn’t cover >
Last updated: August 21, 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 08/21/2026
2. “How Much Care Will You Need?” LongTermCare.gov
3. Nationwide Financial 2026 Cost of Care Survey conducted by HVS, Accessed 08/21/2026
4. “Who Will Provide Your Care?” LongTermCare.gov
5. Family Caregiver Alliance Caregiver.org, Accessed 08/21/2026.
Note: Coverages and features vary between insurers, differ by state, and may not be available in all locations.