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- Basic Needs   - Understanding Long-Term Care
  - What is Long-Term Care?
  - Long-Term Care Pathfinder
  - Who Needs Care?
  - How Much Care Will You Need?
  - Who Will Provide Your Care?
  - Where Can You Receive Care?
  - Finding Local Services
  - Who is in Charge? Radio PSAs
- Costs & Who Pays   - Overview
  - Who Pays for Long-Term Care?
  - Costs of Care
  - What is Covered by Health & Disability Insurance?
  - What is Long-Term Care Insurance?
  - Paying Privately
- Medicare, Medicaid & More   - Overview
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- Housing   - Where You Live Matters
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  - Living in a Facility
- Legal Steps   - How to Decide
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Welcome to

LongTermCare.gov

            -  Home 
            -  LTC Home 
            -  Costs & Who Pays 
            -  Who Pays for Long-Term Care? 
            -                   Buying Long-term Care Insurance              

# Buying Long-term Care Insurance

## Costs & Who Pays

                    -  Overview 
                    -  Who Pays for Long-Term Care?                        -   Using Life Insurance to Pay for Long-Term Care 
                      -  Buying Long-Term Care Insurance 
                    -  Costs of Care 
                    -  What is Covered by Health & Disability Insurance?                        -  Coverage Limits Chart 
                    -  What is Long-Term Care Insurance?                        -  What Long-term Care Insurance Covers 
                      -  Receiving Long-Term Care Insurance Benefits 
                      -  Where to Look for Long-term Care Insurance 
                      -  Long-term Care Insurance Costs 
                    -  Paying Privately                        -  Reverse Mortgages 
                      -  Annuities 
                      -  Trusts 

People with certain conditions **may not qualify** for long-term care insurance. Since standards vary between different insurance companies, if one company denies you, it is possible that another company will accept you. Common reasons **why you might not be able** to buy long-term care insurance include:
                  - You currently use long-term care services
                  - You  already need help  with Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
                  - You have  AIDS  or AIDS-Related Complex (ARC)
                  - You have  Alzheimer's Disease  or any form of  dementia  or cognitive dysfunction
                  - You have a  progressive neurological condition  such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's Disease
                  - You had a  stroke within the past year to two years  or a history of strokes
                  - You have  metastatic cancer  (cancer that has spread beyond its original site)

Insurance companies also consider other health conditions when determining your eligibility. If you buy your long-term care insurance before you develop one of the health conditions listed above, then your policy will cover the care you need for that condition.

## Before You Buy

You should consider a number of things before purchasing LTC insurance:
                  - Don't buy more  insurance than you think you may need. You may have enough income to pay a portion of your care costs and you may only need a small policy for the remainder. You also may have  family members  willing and able to supplement your care needs
                  - Don't buy too little  insurance. That will only delay the use of your own assets or income to pay for care. Think about how you feel about having care costs that are not covered.  While you can usually decrease your coverage, it is more difficult to increase coverage , especially if your health has declined
                  - Look carefully at each policy. There is  no "one-size-fits-all"  policy
                  - If you choose a policy that only pays for room and board in a facility,  plan for other expenses , such as supplies, medications, linens, and other items and services that your policy may not cover
                  - It costs less to buy coverage when you are younger . The average age of people buying long-term care insurance today is about 60. The average age of those purchasing policies offered at work is about 50
                  - Make sure that you can  afford  the long-term care insurance policy over time, as your monthly income may change
                  - Research and consider different options and talk with a  professional  before finalizing your decision
                  - Don't feel pressured into making a decision

*Last modified on 02/18/2020*

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