Amount and duration of benefits. In general, the more the policy will pay or the longer the benefit period, the more the premiums will be. Although long-term care policies may differ in what they cover, most of them provide for skilled nursing care, intermediate care, custodial care in a nursing home, and home health care. Skilled nursing care refers to daily nursing and rehabilitative care that is based on a doctor's orders. It is performed only by, or under the supervision of, trained medical personnel.
Intermediate care is occasional nursing and rehabilitative care that is based on a doctor's orders.
It, too, is performed only by, or under the supervision of, trained medical personnel. Custodial care is care based on a doctor's orders, primarily for the purpose of meeting daily personal needs, such as help in eating, bathing, or dressing. This type of care may be provided by someone who does not have professional medical skills. Home health care is care received at home. This includes services such as part-time skilled nursing care, rehabilitative therapy, home health aide services, and homemaker services.