FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does long-term care cost?
It depends on where you live and what type of care you need. According to a recent MetLife study, Manhattan nursing homes cost $295 per day, but in Minnesota nursing homes cost $90 per day. Nationally the average cost in the United States is $153.

Home health care aides run about $16 per hour nationally. Home health care is most expensive in Hartford, CT at $24 per hour and least expensive in San Antonio, TX at $12 per hour.

Why would I need long-term care insurance if I have Medicare or other health insurance?
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, "Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance, or the other major medical insurance you have will not pay for long-term care."

Why doesn't Medicare pay for long-term care?
Medicare only pays for skilled care and most long-term care is not skilled care! Medicare Supplements only pay the balances to Medicare so if Medicare is not paying for your care, neither will your Medicare Supplement. Also, Medicare just can’t afford to pay for long-term care.

If I do need skilled care, how long will Medicare pay?
If you have a three day hospital stay, Medicare will pay for up to the first 100 days in a skilled nursing home. You must need skilled care on a daily basis. Most people don't qualify for 100 days. The average Medicare stay is usually under 30 days.

Will Medicare pay for home care?
Medicare will only pay for home care if you need intermittent, skilled care. There are strict criteria to qualify for this. See the Medicare section for more information. Since Medicare pays for “skilled care” and most homebound people need custodial care, you could consider long-term care insurance to meet the custodial need.

If Medicare won't pay for my long-term care what about the Medicaid program?
Medicaid was designed to pay for long-term care for the poor. There are strict income and asset guidelines that you must meet before you can qualify for it. See our Medicaid section for more information.

Why isn't the government coming up with a national long-term care plan?
The government has come up with a national long-term care plan! There are new tax incentives available to encourage people to purchase long-term care insurance. The government is currently challenged with our Medicare budget, which makes it highly unlikely they could pay for the billions of dollars spent on long-term care. Recently, the government’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a group long-term care insurance plan administered by John Hancock and MetLife for current and retired federal employees. Be sure to compare this plan with one you can get on your own before committing. Contact us for details and comparison information.

What types of long-term care does long-term care insurance cover?
This depends on the type of policy you buy. You can purchase policies that cover nursing home care, assisted living facilities, adult day care and home care. Today's policies cover both skilled and non- skilled care.

What does a typical policy cost on an annual basis?
This is the most asked question, and the answer differs. A policy's annual premium is a function of many variables including:

The younger you are the lower your premiums. Most long-term care policies annual premium can range from $1,000 to $3,000 per year. However if you live in an area like New York your premium could cost more.

Can anyone qualify for long-term care insurance?
No! Most insurance companies will underwrite your application by looking at your medical records for the past five years. If you have certain health conditions, you may not qualify. For example conditions that are progressive like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's can prohibit you from getting a policy. Depending on your age, the insurance companies may also do a face-to-face interview in your home to see if you have any memory loss or cognitive impairment. Insurance companies don't require a person to be in perfect health, but you should be in reasonably good health and if you have a condition that it be stable at the time of application. Insurance companies may impose a waiting period if you have recently had surgery or physical therapy.

What if a long-term care company declined me already?
Every company has different underwriting guidelines. Depending on why you were declined, or how long ago, you may want to apply again.

Are all long-term care policies the same?
All policies have to meet state and national guidelines. While some of the components of the policy are the same, there are many components that vary quite a bit from company to company. That's why it's particularly important to work with someone who specializes in long-term care planning. If you have additional questions that were not covered here we encourage you to contact us or email or give us a call at (870) 200-9569.