Washington State Long-Term Care Insurance
Compare Plans, Costs & Coverage Options
For more than 30 years, ACACIA Insurance has helped residents of Washington State 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.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Washington Cares Fund (WA Cares)
- Do I Need Long-Term Care Insurance in Washington State?
- Types of Long-Term Care Insurance in Washington
- Washington State Long-Term Care Partnership (State-Endorsed)
- Long-Term Care Insurance Companies in Washington
- Average Cost of LTC Insurance in Washington State
- FAQs about Washington State Long-Term Care Insurance
- Client Reviews
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Washington Cares Fund (WA Cares)
Washington State has a mandatory long-term care payroll tax through the WA Cares Fund. If you live or work in Washington State, it’s important to understand who pays the tax, available exemptions, benefit limitations, and how private long-term care insurance fits into your planning.
Learn more in our Washington State Long-Term Care Tax Guide ➜
Do I Need Long-Term Care Insurance in Washington?
Most Washington State residents underestimate their long-term care risk. Here are the key statistics that help determine if long-term care insurance makes sense for your situation:
Washington 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 Washington 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 2025, the average for 3 years of long-term care expenses in Washington is $431,949, or about $143,983 per year. By 2045, that figure is projected to rise to $859,488, or $286,496 per year.3
Washington Long-Term Care Costs
Long-term care costs in Washington State vary widely by region, and some areas are significantly more expensive than others. The table below shows the 2025 average cost of care in several regions, helping you understand what long-term care may cost where you live.
Long-Term Care Rates in Washington – 2025 | |||
| Region | Nursing Home (private room) | Assisted Living (private room) | Home Care (44 hours per week) |
| Washington State Average | $143,983 | $83,689 | $96,797 |
| Bellingham | $128,823 | $72,310 | $94,109 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $152,579 | $116,254 | $87,853 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $136,200 | $88,632 | $87,415 |
| Longview-Kelso | $141,070 | $80,284 | $89,145 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $123,618 | $90,752 | $102,002 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $148,853 | $73,729 | $101,793 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $162,686 | $98,451 | $104,810 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $147,470 | $69,873 | $89,745 |
| Vancouver Area | $183,904 | $90,596 | $90,184 |
| Walla Walla | $118,095 | $87,701 | $97,991 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $167,888 | $69,838 | $88,921 |
| Yakima | $141,428 | $67,618 | $89,105 |
Source: Nationwide Financial 2025 cost of care survey conducted by HVS, Accessed 12/15/2025
About Medicare and Long-Term Care
Medicare 
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 Washington 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 Washington State long-term care professionals can pre-qualify any health concerns and provide you with quote comparisons.
Find Out If You QualifyTypes of Long-Term Care Insurance in Washington State
Washington 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.
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 Washington 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 Washington applicants.
- Tax Advantages for Washington Residents: Premiums for tax-qualified long-term care insurance policies may qualify as medical expenses for federal tax deductions (subject to income thresholds). Washington follows federal tax treatment, and benefits received are generally tax-free.
- Compare Washington State Traditional LTC Plans >
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 Washington residents on fixed incomes.
- Health Requirements: Moderate medical underwriting with more flexible health guidelines than traditional LTC insurance, making qualification easier for many Washington applicants with health issues.
- Tax Advantages for Washington 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 Washington State Hybrid Life/LTC Plans >
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 Washington 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 Washington residents with health concerns.
- Tax Advantages for Washington Residents: Supports tax-free 1035 exchanges from existing annuities, and LTC benefits are generally received tax-free under current Washington and federal tax regulations.
- Compare Washington State LTC Annuity Plans >
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 Washington families.
- Health Requirements: Often features simplified underwriting with fewer health questions, making it easier to qualify. Very helpful for Washington residents who may not meet traditional long-term care insurance health or age requirements.
- Short-Term Care Insurance Details >
Washington Long-Term Care Partnership Program
The Washington State Long-Term Care Partnership Program 
is a collaboration between Washington State and private insurance companies. It helps residents protect their savings while planning for future long-term care needs.
Partnership-certified policies follow state-approved standards and offer an important benefit. If your long-term care needs last longer than your policy benefits, the program allows you to keep more of your assets if you later apply for Medicaid 
.
To learn how Partnership policies work, what they protect, and which companies offer Partnership-certified coverage, visit our Washington Long-Term Care Partnership Guide.
LTC Insurance Companies in Washington State
Washington State 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 Washington:
- Bankers Life & Casualty
- Brighthouse Financial
- Global Atlantic
- LifeSecure
- Lincoln Financial (MoneyGuard)
- Mutual of Omaha
- National Guardian Life (NGL)
- Nationwide Life Insurance Company
- New York Life
- Northwestern Mutual
- OneAmerica
- Securian Financial
- State Farm
- Thrivent Financial
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.
Average Cost of LTC Insurance in Washington State
How much does long-term care insurance cost in Washington State? Most Washington State 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.
Washington Long-Term Care Insurance Quotes
Our licensed Washington State 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 Washington’s top-rated carriers based on your specific situation
✔ Helping you secure coverage even with pre-existing health conditions
Ready to compare quotes?
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ACACIA Client Reviews
What Policyholders Are Saying
FAQs About LTC Insurance in Washington State
The Washington Cares Fund (WA Cares) is Washington State’s long-term care program funded by a mandatory long-term care payroll tax on many workers who live or work in Washington. It is designed to provide a limited long-term care benefit that eligible residents can use toward certain approved care services (such as in-home care or assisted living), subject to the program’s rules.
Because eligibility and benefits depend on specific requirements, many Washington residents also consider private long-term care insurance to expand coverage, add flexibility, and better protect retirement assets.
Learn more in our Washington Cares Fund (WA Cares) Guide >
Private long-term care insurance is not required in Washington State. However, Washington State does have a mandatory long-term care payroll tax for many workers through the WA Cares Fund, unless you qualify for an exemption or are not subject to the program.
Private long-term care insurance is optional, but it may be used to protect assets and expand coverage beyond what the state program provides.
The cost of long-term care insurance in Washington State depends on age, health, plan type, benefit amount, elimination period, and inflation protection—and pricing can vary widely by insurer. Many applicants see the most favorable pricing when applying in their mid-50s to early-60s, but the best value often comes from comparing multiple carriers and plan designs (not relying on a single quote).
Most people get the best combination of price and insurability when they apply in their mid-50s to early 60s. Premiums are typically lower, and health qualifications are easier to meet before age-related conditions develop. Because underwriting and pricing vary by carrier, comparing multiple insurers can help you find the best fit for your age, health, and goals.
You may qualify for long-term care insurance in Washington State if you can pass medical underwriting, which typically includes a health questionnaire and may include a phone interview and medical record review. Approval often depends on your age, current health, medications, and ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Since guidelines differ by company and product type, a multi-carrier comparison can help identify which insurers are most likely to offer you coverage at a competitive rate.
Long-term care insurance can help pay for custodial care in Washington State, services that assist with everyday needs, whether care is provided at home or in a facility. Coverage commonly includes in-home care, assisted living, nursing home care, adult day care, and respite care, depending on the policy design.
You can buy long-term care insurance in Washington State through a licensed insurance agent or independent brokerage that represents multiple carriers, or directly from certain insurers. Because availability and underwriting rules vary by company, most shoppers get the best results by comparing options across:
- Traditional long-term care insurance
- Hybrid life insurance with long-term care benefits
- Annuities with long-term care riders
Many Washington State residents also evaluate private coverage alongside WA Cares rules to determine the most cost-effective strategy. A licensed specialist can compare carriers, plan designs, and underwriting to help you find the best value.
Compare Washington Long-Term Care Insurance Options >
Last updated: December 15, 2025
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 12/15/2025
2. “How Much Care Will You Need?” LongTermCare.gov
3. Nationwide Financial 2025 Cost of Care Survey conducted by HVS, Accessed 12/15/2025
4. “Who Will Provide Your Care?” LongTermCare.gov
5. Family Caregiver Alliance Caregiver.org, Accessed 12/15/2025
Note: Coverages and features vary between insurers, differ by state, and may not be available in all locations.