Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Insurance
Compare Pennsylvania Plans, Costs & Coverage Options
For more than 30 years, ACACIA Insurance has helped Pennsylvania 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.
Get Personalized QuotesCompare Plans from Multiple Carriers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Do I Need Long-Term Care Insurance in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Costs
- Medicare and Long-Term Care in Pennsylvania
- When To Buy Long-Term Care Insurance in Pennsylvania
- Types of Long-Term Care Insurance in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Partnership
- Long-Term Care Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania
- Cost of Long-Term Care Insurance in Pennsylvania
- FAQs About Long-Term Care Insurance in Pennsylvania
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Do I Need Long-Term Care Insurance in Pennsylvania?
Many Pennsylvania residents are surprised by how likely long-term care becomes later in life and by how quickly costs can add up. Care needs often arise suddenly, and expenses vary widely across the state. This makes advance planning especially important. The facts below provide a clearer picture of long-term care risks and costs in Pennsylvania and can help you determine whether long-term care insurance is a good fit for your situation.
The Likelihood of Needing Care
Pennsylvania 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 Care Lasts
For Pennsylvania 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
Care Costs in Pennsylvania
In 2026, the average for 3 years of long-term care in Pennsylvania is $446,808, or about $148,936 per year. By 2046, that figure is projected to rise to $979,011, or $326,337 per year.3
Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Costs
Long-term care costs vary across Pennsylvania. A private nursing home room averages $125,876 a year in Johnstown and $185,607 in Lancaster. In Central Pennsylvania, Williamsport averages $137,078. The table below shows 2026 averages for the six largest regions. All 16 regions are listed in the section that follows.
Long-Term Care Costs in Pennsylvania 2026 | |||
| Region | Nursing Home (private room) annual / monthly | Assisted Living (private room) annual / monthly | Home Health Aide (44 hrs/week) annual / monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $148,936 $12,411 a month | $72,249 $6,021 a month | $76,894 $6,408 a month |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $168,137 $14,011 a month | $67,325 $5,610 a month | $74,345 $6,195 a month |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $142,451 $11,871 a month | $87,147 $7,262 a month | $75,467 $6,289 a month |
| Lancaster | $185,607 $15,467 a month | $82,370 $6,864 a month | $76,078 $6,340 a month |
| Philadelphia | $176,799 $14,733 a month | $96,699 $8,058 a month | $79,572 $6,631 a month |
| Pittsburgh | $139,882 $11,657 a month | $78,932 $6,578 a month | $78,659 $6,555 a month |
| Scranton-Wilkes-Barre | $147,751 $12,313 a month | $52,019 $4,335 a month | $76,583 $6,382 a month |
| Source: Nationwide Financial 2026 Cost of Care Survey (HVS), accessed September 29, 2026. Monthly figures are the annual cost divided by twelve. | |||
| Region | Nursing Home (private room) annual / monthly | Assisted Living (private room) annual / monthly | Home Health Aide (44 hrs/week) annual / monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $168,137 $14,011 a month | $67,325 $5,610 a month | $74,345 $6,195 a month |
| Altoona | $143,034 $11,920 a month | $69,843 $5,820 a month | $76,864 $6,405 a month |
| Chambersburg | $152,491 $12,708 a month | $73,966 $6,164 a month | $70,989 $5,916 a month |
| Erie | $141,794 $11,816 a month | $86,382 $7,199 a month | $71,233 $5,936 a month |
| Gettysburg | $162,237 $13,520 a month | $49,940 $4,162 a month | $73,056 $6,088 a month |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $142,451 $11,871 a month | $87,147 $7,262 a month | $75,467 $6,289 a month |
| Johnstown | $125,876 $10,490 a month | $56,245 $4,687 a month | $59,034 $4,920 a month |
| Lancaster | $185,607 $15,467 a month | $82,370 $6,864 a month | $76,078 $6,340 a month |
| Lebanon | $169,370 $14,114 a month | $72,934 $6,078 a month | $71,047 $5,921 a month |
| Philadelphia | $176,799 $14,733 a month | $96,699 $8,058 a month | $79,572 $6,631 a month |
| Pittsburgh | $139,882 $11,657 a month | $78,932 $6,578 a month | $78,659 $6,555 a month |
| Reading | $165,074 $13,756 a month | $73,026 $6,086 a month | $69,435 $5,786 a month |
| Scranton-Wilkes-Barre | $147,751 $12,313 a month | $52,019 $4,335 a month | $76,583 $6,382 a month |
| State College | $152,965 $12,747 a month | $77,212 $6,434 a month | $73,962 $6,164 a month |
| Williamsport | $137,078 $11,423 a month | $58,472 $4,873 a month | $74,592 $6,216 a month |
| York-Hanover | $169,363 $14,114 a month | $75,649 $6,304 a month | $74,854 $6,238 a month |
Medicare and Long-Term Care in Pennsylvania
Medicare 
pays for a short stay in a skilled nursing facility. It does not pay for years of care. You must first spend at least three days admitted to a hospital. Medicare then covers days 1 through 20 in full. From day 21 through day 100, you owe $217 a day in 2026. Nothing is paid after day 100. Custodial care, such as help with bathing or dressing, is never covered by itself.
A private nursing home room in Pennsylvania averages $148,936 a year. That is about 28% above the national average. Pennsylvania Medical Assistance , the state’s Medicaid program, pays only after bills like these have used up most of what you own. A single applicant may keep $8,000 at most in countable assets. A spouse at home may keep no more than $162,660. The state also reviews five years of transfers before it approves care.
Medicaid care at home runs through Community HealthChoices , a managed care program. Adults 55 and older may use the LIFE program instead, but only where a LIFE provider serves their area. Neither option opens until you qualify for Medicaid. A private policy pays for the care you choose, at home or in a facility, before your savings are spent. Its benefits are written into your contract.
Learn more about Medicare and custodial care ➜
When To Buy Long-Term Care Insurance in Pennsylvania
What is the right age to buy long-term care insurance? No single age fits everyone. Health, budget and goals all shape the answer. These patterns hold for most Pennsylvania buyers:
- Mid 50s to early 60s. The most common window. Rates are still moderate, and health discounts remain within reach.
- Your 40s. Lower premiums and an easier approval, in exchange for more years of payments.
- Late 60s and beyond. Still workable for many. Pricing climbs, declines happen more often and discounts usually disappear.
Nursing home costs in Pennsylvania rise about 4% a year. That is faster than the 3.5% national rate. Altoona and State College run closer to 5%. Assisted living and home care climb near 3% statewide. At 4% a year, today’s nursing home cost doubles in about 18 years. Inflation protection is how a policy keeps pace.
Already past 65? Do not assume it is too late. Carriers underwrite to different standards, and products vary just as widely. Plenty of applicants at that age still qualify. A licensed specialist can review your situation and put real numbers next to it.
Find Out If You QualifyTypes of Long-Term Care Insurance in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents can choose from several long-term care insurance options, each designed to help cover care at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing facility. Understanding how traditional long-term care insurance, hybrid life/LTC policies, LTC annuities, and short-term care plans differ can help you decide which type fits your budget, health, and long-term planning goals.
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania applicants.
Tax Advantages for Pennsylvania Residents: Premiums for tax-qualified long-term care insurance policies may qualify as medical expenses for federal tax deductions (subject to income thresholds). Pennsylvania offers no state deduction for premiums. Benefits received are generally not subject to Pennsylvania income tax.
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 to 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 that NEVER increase. Higher initial cost than traditional LTC insurance but protected from future rate increases. Can provide important stability for Pennsylvania residents on fixed incomes.
Health Requirements: Moderate medical underwriting with more flexible health guidelines than traditional LTC insurance, making qualification easier for many Pennsylvania applicants with health issues.
Tax Advantages for Pennsylvania Residents: Can utilize 1035 exchanges from appropriate existing policies without tax consequences and can be funded with qualified retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s).
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 to 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania residents with health concerns.
Tax Advantages for Pennsylvania Residents: Supports tax-free 1035 exchanges from existing annuities, and LTC benefits are generally received tax-free under current federal tax rules.
Short-Term Care Insurance
What It Is: A policy that 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 Pennsylvania families.
Health Requirements: Often features simplified underwriting with fewer health questions, making it easier to qualify. Very helpful for Pennsylvania residents who may not meet traditional long-term care insurance health or age requirements.
Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Partnership Program
A Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Partnership policy protects savings if you later need Medical Assistance. The protection matches what the policy has paid. If your policy pays $200,000 in benefits, you can keep $200,000 of assets and still qualify. That is on top of the amount any applicant may keep. The income rules still apply, and part of your income goes toward your care.
Pennsylvania’s program took effect on July 1, 2007. A qualifying policy needs inflation protection based on your age at purchase. Under 61, it must compound each year. From 61 through 75, simple or compound protection is required. Either way, the rate must follow the Consumer Price Index or be at least 3%. At 76 and older, protection must be offered but is optional. A future purchase option does not count. Ask whether a policy is Partnership qualified before you sign.
Estate recovery is the other half. Pennsylvania can recover Medical Assistance costs from the estate of someone who received long-term care from age 55. Assets protected by a Partnership policy are exempt from that claim if they remain in the estate.
That is the practical appeal. Coverage pays first, and if the benefits run out, the protected savings remain.
Learn how Long-Term Care Partnership programs work nationwide ➜
Long-Term Care Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania:
USAA member? Explore USAA long-term care coverage ➜
AARP member? Review AARP long-term care insurance ➜
- Bankers Life & Casualty
- Brighthouse Financial
- Global Atlantic
- LifeSecure
- Lincoln Financial Group (MoneyGuard)
- Mutual of Omaha
- National Guardian Life (NGL)
- Nationwide Life Insurance Company
- New York Life
- Northwestern Mutual
- OneAmerica
- Securian Financial
- State Farm
- 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.
Read reviews and ratings of long-term care insurance companies ➜
Cost of Long-Term Care Insurance in Pennsylvania
Traditional long-term care insurance costs in Pennsylvania range from $1,500 to $5,000+ annually, depending on your age, health, and coverage choices. Most people pay between $2,000 and $3,000 per year for comprehensive coverage.
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
Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Insurance Quotes
Our licensed Pennsylvania professionals offer objective guidance on a wide range of long-term care insurance products and strategies. You’ll receive personalized service including:
✔ Finding the right coverage that fits your budget and protection needs
✔ Getting matched with Pennsylvania’s top-rated carriers based on your specific situation
✔ Helping you secure coverage even with pre-existing health conditions
Ready to compare quotes?
Compare Quotes Now
ACACIA Insurance Reviews
What Our Clients Are Saying
FAQs About Long-Term Care Insurance in Pennsylvania
Most Pennsylvania buyers pay $2,000 to $3,000 a year for traditional coverage. That works out to about $167 to $250 a month. The full range runs $1,500 to $5,000 a year. Your age, health, benefit amount, waiting period and inflation option all affect the price.
Fourteen companies offer long-term care coverage to Pennsylvania residents. They include Mutual of Omaha, Nationwide, OneAmerica, National Guardian Life (NGL) and Thrivent Financial. Some sell traditional policies. Others sell hybrid plans that combine life insurance with long-term care benefits. Price and approval depend on your age and health. An independent agency can compare several of them for you.
Comprehensive policies do. That matters here, because a home health aide in Pennsylvania averages $76,894 a year at 44 hours a week. That is $6,408 a month. Traditional, hybrid and annuity-based coverage can all pay for care at home. Benefits usually begin once you need help with two of six daily activities, or supervision for cognitive impairment. A waiting period you choose at purchase comes first. Short-term care insurance, also sold in Pennsylvania, can cover home care too.
A private nursing home room averages $12,411 a month statewide in 2026. That is about $408 a day. Assisted living runs $6,021. Those figures come from the Nationwide Financial 2026 Cost of Care Survey. Yearly, they come to $148,936 and $72,249.
The Philadelphia region covers Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. A private nursing home room there averages $176,799 a year, or $14,733 a month. That is $27,863 above the state average. Assisted living and home care cost more here than anywhere else in Pennsylvania. Assisted living runs $96,699 and a home health aide $79,572.
The Pittsburgh region covers Allegheny County and its neighbors, including Butler, Washington and Westmoreland counties. A private nursing home room there averages $139,882 a year, or $11,657 a month. That is $9,054 below the state average. Assisted living runs $78,932 against $72,249 statewide. Home care is higher than the state figure, at $78,659.
Last updated: September 29, 2026
Written by: Craig Matesky, President, ACACIA Insurance
Reviewed by: Mike Berger, National Sales Manager
Sources: