If it does, ask the department to send you information on the regulations. Some states have issued regulations that attempt to provide consumers with basic protections. For example, a state may require coverage for Alzheimer's disease or require that individual policies be guaranteed renewable. Find someone who does not have a financial stake in selling the insurance to help you sort through the options. Free, or very low-cost, assistance can be found through your state agency on aging.
All states have insurance counseling programs which are partially funded by the federal government.
The Eldercare Locator can provide phone numbers of appropriate agencies based on the type of information you need and your zip code. For some, an attorney specializing in estate planning may be a good source of information and assistance. Such worksheets are available from the American Association of Retired Persons, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and the Health Insurance Association of America. These worksheets walk you through the questions you should ask before buying a policy. Most are designed so that you can enter information about two or more policies on the same worksheet, making comparison between policies easier.