Long term care costs are expensive and rising every year.  For many, a two or three year stay in a skilled nursing facility could cost several hundred thousand dollars and potentially wipe out a retirement nest egg. 

While long term care insurance can also be expensive, paying a known cost (insurance) to protect against an unknown expense (long term care) can provide peace of mind.  However, prior to shopping for long term care insurance, an understanding of the basics may be helpful.

What is long term care?

Long term care is not just skilled nursing care.  Long term care can include all the assistance required should you have a chronic illness or disability that leaves you unable to care for yourself for an extended period of time.  Long term care can be received in your home (home health care) or in a nursing or assisted living facility.

What are the costs of long term care services?

The total cost of care varies based on the types of services needed and where you live.  In NC, skilled nursing costs average about $260/day while home health and custodial care services average $23 to $25 per hour. 

When would long term care insurance begin paying for services received?

Most policies provide that benefits are "triggered" by certain physical and/or mental impairments. The most common method for determining when benefits are payable is based on the insured's inability to perform certain activities of daily living (ADLs). In addition to a cognitive impairment, the primary ADLs are:

• Eating

• Bathing/Hygiene

• Continence

• Dressing

• Toileting

• Transferring (i.e. getting out of bed)

Typically, benefits are payable when the insured is unable to perform a certain number of the ADLs, (such as two or three out of the six) and has satisfied the elimination period or deductible on their long term care insurance policy.

Reasons to consider obtaining a long term care insurance policy

For those above the age of 50, we suggest that you consider obtaining long term care insurance in any of the following circumstances:

• Your current retirement assets cannot support an extended long-term care need.

• Your primary source of paying for long term care expenses would be your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement plan in which all distributions are taxable.

• You do not want to depend on your spouse or children to provide you with custodial care.

• You are afraid you will experience a change in health that may make you unable to obtain (or afford) a long term care insurance policy in the future.

If you would like to discuss your long term care insurance needs in more detail, feel free to contact our office.  Remember, we do not sell insurance, so you can rest assured that you will get unbiased and objective guidance.