Long term care insurance cost can be a concern for many. Unfortunately, long term care expenses often exceed household budgets and deplete retirement savings in some cases. In addition to covering nursing home, assisted living or custodial care expenses, long term care insurance also covers home health care services as well.
Long term care insurance costs vary significantly based on an individual’s age, medical history and desired coverage. To get the best price on this coverage, it is wise to shop around and get multiple quotes from different insurance carriers.
Premiums for long-term care insurance policies vary between states and carriers due to each company’s underwriting standards. Some may offer substandard rates that are significantly more expensive than standard ones, while other carriers provide various policy types and add-ons at different prices.
As you cannot predict the future, having a plan for long-term care should be made. This should be done together with those closest to you and should include discussions regarding what kind of assistance may be required in the future.
It is best to purchase a long-term care policy as soon as possible, before becoming eligible for Medicaid or Medicare. Doing this will give you time to secure the coverage needed and prevent an extensive gap in your finances.
When determining if you need long-term care insurance, it’s wise to factor in your current health and family situation. If you are healthy and fit, finding a low-cost policy should be easier; however, if you have chronic conditions or are otherwise unfit, expect to pay an increased premium.
One way to get a great deal on long-term care insurance is to wait until you qualify for discounts. In some states, premiums for LTC policies can be discounted up to 30%.
Another option is to opt for a hybrid policy. These policies combine the benefits of traditional long-term care insurance with investment features of whole life insurance. While they may be more costly than their traditional counterparts, hybrid policies usually come with flexible benefits and often have money-back guarantees in case you don’t need them.
Hybrid policies can be an attractive option for those who may not qualify for traditional long-term care insurance or who don’t want to risk investing their money in the stock market. While they may be expensive, you may consider them if you’re concerned about paying out of pocket in case of major health emergencies or illnesses.
Inflation protection is essential when shopping for a long-term care insurance policy, as inflation can rapidly deplete your benefits. Without it, a 55 year old woman would pay around $1,500 annually for an LTC policy with benefits starting at $165,000 at age 55 and $400,500 by age 85.