Long-Term Care

Long-term care (LTC) insurance primarily pays for supervision or assistance with everyday tasks (such as bathing or dressing) when you have a physical impairment, or need supervision of these activities when you have a cognitive impairment such as dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease. LTC takes place at home, in a community program, in an assisted living facility (ALF) or in a nursing home. LTC services are often provided by family members or nurses’ aides, and do not require the skilled care that nurses and doctors are licensed to provide.

LTC insurance benefits may be part of a life insurance or annuity policy, or contained in a freestanding LTC policy.

Note:

This section focuses on LTC insurance benefits contained in freestanding LTC policies. Insurance policies that also provide life insurance or annuity benefits are not explained. These policies are complex financial products that require professional assistance, and may have income-tax or estate-tax implications. You should consult a trusted financial advisor if you are considering combining life and annuity benefits with LTC benefits.

In this section:

1. Long-Term Care Insurance: An Overview

   Learn about LTC insurance, the different types available and general requirements.

2. Items to Consider Before Buying Long-Term Care Insurance

   Find out what you should know before buying LTC insurance, including information about benefits, waiting periods and insurance agents.

3. Options for Financing Long-Term Care

   Review LTC costs, public and private programs that help pay for care, and where LTC is provided.

4. Long-Term Care Settings

   Discover the many options where you can receive LTC, including in your home, community day care facilities and various alternative living arrangements.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

   Learn the answers to 15 common questions about LTC insurance.

6. Resources

   Helpful fact sheets and information about LTC insurance.