Long-Term Care Insurance
When you think of your “golden years,” do you include illness and age-related medical care alongside your dreams of that perfect retirement home, scampering grandchildren, or long walks on the beach with your spouse? Of course, you don’t. None of us want to consider that, one day, we may succumb to a debilitating illness that requires long-term medical care.
Nevertheless, a pound of prevention is still worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to insuring yourself against the crippling costs of long-term care in a nursing facility or through an in-home nursing service. That’s why we offer Long-term Care Insurance through Snyder Insurance and Financial Services!
How Long-Term Care Insurance Works
Long-term care insurance (LTC or LTCI), helps provide for the cost of long-term care beyond a predetermined period. Long-term care is generally not covered by standard health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. The term “long-term care” pertains to aid for persons who are chronically ill, suffer from a disability or another condition that requires daily care over an extensive period of time. The type of care that may be required ranges from help for routine daily actions to expert care by medical professionals, such as a nurse or therapist.
Generally speaking, employer-based health insurance doesn’t cover day-to-day, extended care service. Medicare covers brief stays at nursing homes or limited amounts of care in the home, but the circumstances are very restricted. In order to prepare for possible long-term care coverage, some will elect to take out a long-term care policy.
Long-Term Care (LTC) refers to various services and supports aimed at helping individuals live as independently and safely as possible when they can no longer manage on their own. These services can include, but are not limited to:
- Assistance with personal care tasks like bathing, dressing, and grooming.
- Modifications to the home to ensure safety, such as adding ramps, grab bars, and improving the accessibility of bathrooms and kitchens.
- Additional help with daily activities, like lawn care, housekeeping, meal assistance, or pet care.
If you believe LTC insurance is a good fit for your needs, it’s important to understand how benefits are paid once you meet the claim criteria.
There are two main ways LTC policies provide benefits:
- Cash Indemnity Policies:
- The full monthly benefit is paid directly to the policyholder.
- No need to submit receipts or bills regularly.
- You can use the benefit as you see fit without restrictions from the insurance company, allowing you to choose the care and provider you prefer.
- Reimbursement Policies:
- The policyholder is reimbursed for the lesser of the monthly benefit or the actual LTC expenses incurred.
- Some facilities may directly bill the insurance company for eligible expenses, though this is not always the case.
- Any uncovered costs must be paid out of pocket by the insured.
These differences can affect your experience with LTC insurance, so it’s essential to choose the type of policy that best fits your needs.
Benefits
Long-term care insurance generally covers home care, assisted living, adult daycare, respite care, hospice care, nursing home and Alzheimer’s facilities. Other or additional benefits/options may be available.
Learn More
Does long term care insurance make sense for you? Contact us today to discuss your options, or watch the videos on this page to learn how – for only a few dollars a month – your income, your family and your lifestyle can be protected.