What is long-term care? Long-term care refers to the ongoing services and support needed by people who have chronic health conditions or disabilities. There are three levels of long-term care:
- Skilled care: Generally, round-the-clock care that's given by professional health care providers such as nurses, therapists, or aides under a doctor's supervision.
- Intermediate care: Also provided by professional health care providers but on a less frequent basis than skilled care.
- Custodial care: Care that's often given by family caregivers, nurses' aides, or home health workers who assist with what are called "activities of daily living" such as personal care, eating, and dressing.
Long-term care is not just provided in nursing homes — in fact, the most common type of long-term care is home-based care. Long-term care services may also be provided in a variety of other settings, such as assisted living facilities and adult day care centers.
No one expects to need long-term care, but it's important to plan for it nonetheless. For many, the odds of needing long-term care are high, and the cost of long-term care can be expensive, absorbing income and depleting savings.
Doesn't Medicare pay for long-term care?
Many people mistakenly believe that Medicare, the federal health insurance program for older Americans, will pay for long-term care. But Medicare provides only limited coverage for long-term care services such as skilled nursing care or physical therapy. And although Medicare provides some home health care benefits, it doesn't cover custodial care, the type of care older individuals most often need.
Medicaid, which is often confused with Medicare, is the joint federal-state program that two-thirds of nursing home residents currently rely on to pay some of their long-term care expenses. But, to qualify for Medicaid, you must have limited income and assets. Although Medicaid generally covers nursing home care, it provides only limited coverage for home health care in certain states.
Can't I pay for care out of pocket?
The major advantage of using income, savings, investments, and assets (such as your home) to pay for long-term care is that you have the most control over where and how you receive care. However, the cost of long-term care is high, and you may have trouble affording extended care if you need it.
Should I buy long-term care insurance?
Long-term care insurance protects you against a specific financial risk — in this case, the chance that long-term care will cost more than you can afford. In exchange for your premium payments, the insurance company can cover part of your future long-term care costs. Long-term care insurance can help you preserve your assets and access a range of care options. However, it can be expensive, so before you purchase a policy, make sure you can afford the premiums both now and in the future.
The cost of a long-term care policy depends primarily on your age (in general, the younger you are when you purchase a policy, the lower your premium will be), but it also depends on the benefits you choose. If you decide to purchase long-term care insurance, here are some of the key features to understand and consider:
- Benefit amount: The daily benefit amount is the maximum your policy will pay for your care each day, and generally ranges from $50 to $350 or more.
- Benefit period: The length of time your policy will pay benefits (e.g., 2 years, 4 years, lifetime).
- Elimination period: The number of days you must pay for your own care before the policy begins paying benefits (e.g., 20 days, 90 days).
- Types of facilities included: Many policies cover care in a variety of settings including your own home, assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, and nursing homes.
- Inflation protection: With inflation protection, your benefit will increase by a certain percentage each year. It's an optional feature available at an additional cost, but having it helps your coverage keep pace with rising prices.
An Arvest Wealth Management client advisor is ready to evaluate your unique needs and explore the long-term care insurance options that may be right for you. Schedule an appointment today to gain valuable insights and help protect your future. You may also consult your attorney or accountant for more information.
© Copyright 2025 Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Arvest and its associates do not provide tax or legal advice.
