Long Term Care Insurance Introduction

By Jack Rosenberg


When a loved one gets to the age when they need help with once mundane tasks such as eating or clothing by themselves, care based programs for the loved one are a typical route that care giving families take. But unfortunately, these programs are by no means cheap. Long term care insurance is an answer to the near 10 million people over the age of 65 who need some sort of long term care. Before utilizing for long term care, it is crucial that the applicant and their family members comprehend the pros and cons of LTCi.

LTC Principles

Investing in a long term care policy means that you'll be paying premiums prior to needing care. One may be hesitant about this, but buying younger locks in lower premiums, making the expense of LTCi lower in the long run. Once care is called for, LTCi offers complete protection. Meaning that care can be dispensed where ever the particular person in need and/or their family members chooses. Common care facilities that people resort to as part of their long term care insurance coverage plan are nursing programs (in home or in a facility), assisted living, or Alzheimer's facilities. A general "rule of thumb" for when long term care is needed is when the person in need can not do two or more daily activities like eating or dressing on their own for a duration of 90 days.

Health Insurance vs. Long Term Care

Of the most monumental deviations between health insurance and long term care is the elimination period. An elimination period, in essence, is a period of time whereby the policy holder is funding care services out of pocket. Once this period of time has passed, the insurance agency compensates the policy holder if aid was given by a care giving service that the insurance agency approves of. Health insurance plans, for the most part, do not have elimination periods. With health insurance, the insurance agency directly pays the care giver. Long term care policies include an elimination period of about 90 days. Having an elimination period attached to your policy may not seem ideal, however more often than not an elimination period results in decreased premiums compared to those associated with health insurance.

Essential Rates

The biggest contributor to the necessary fees of long term care insurance is the time at which the policy is acquired. Younger individuals are given reduced premiums because the likelihoods of them filing a claim are less than an older policy holder. It is highly suggested that if you're planning on purchasing a long term care policy that you do so prior to the age of 50. When it comes to the approximated amount of which you will need to spend, the policy selected and the insurance company are the most significant determinants.

Ending Points

Having an emergency fund for long term care insurance can be very beneficial to the best result of coverage. Emergency funds will help you if you ever need or want to self insure. If you can self insure, then premiums will not be as costly when you attain a policy. In addition, an emergency fund can also help you pay for care prior to even needing it.




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