Important Facts About Long - Term Care Insurance

Individuals Need To Health Qualify
Few people understand the need to health qualify for long-term care insurance. And, this is one of the biggest mistakes people make; waiting too long. Nearly 14 percent of the individuals who took the time to apply for long-term care insurance between the ages of 50 and 59 were declined for health reasons last year (2007). That number increased to 23 percent for those between 60 and 69 and an amazing 45 percent for those applying between ages 70 to 79.
As mentioned earlier, companies offer discounts to those who apply while still in relatively good health.
Some 44 percent of applicants between the ages of 50 and 59 qualified for good health discounts. The percentage drops to 32 percent for ages 60 to 69 and 19 percent for ages 70 to 79. Standards vary from one insurer to another so those with health conditions will benefit by working with knowledgeable long-term care insurance professionals who represents multiple insurers.

There Are Ways To Reduce The Cost
Many of the articles you read discussing long-term care insurance use the term expensive when referring to this important protection. They fail to mention that there are many ways to obtain significant discounts today that can reduce the cost significantly; by between 20 percent and 50 percent a year.
The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance conducts an annual Price Index that portrays what consumers can expect to realistically pay for suitable coverage. For someone age 55, a $100 Maximum Daily Benefit x 3 Year Benefit Period costs $772-per-year (assumes the individual qualifies for preferred health and spousal discounts).
Good health discounts can reduce the cost by 10 percent a year. Choosing a plan that pays benefits for 3 years will be between 25 and 30 percent less expensive than one that pays for five years. Today, some companies offer discounts to married couples, even when only one spouse buys.

Group Long-Term Care Coverage May or May NOT Be Your Best Bet
An increasing number of employers now offer long-term care insurance to employees. That's a good thing and clearly there are some advantages to group coverage that may offer guaranteed acceptance (no health underwriting). But, individuals who are eligible for good health discounts and other discounts available to married couples may be able to obtain more coverage for less money from an individual policy sold by an agent or broker. Bottom line, as with most purchases it pays to compare.

Prices Can Vary From One Insurer To Another
The difference in what you'll pay for basically the same benefit can vary quite substantially. Each insurance company has their sweet spots in terms of age and health condition. The Association recently did a study of costs for a typical applicant who was age 55. Costs for policies from New York Life were hundreds of dollars more than those from Genworth or John Hancock (all good companies).
A policy from Northwestern Mutual cost $1,000 more each year. That's just one reason why it is increasingly important to speak to a professional who can access protection from multiple companies. You'll save yourself quite a bit of money over the long haul.

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1:44 PM | 0 comments

AARP Long Term Care Insurance Costs

Dealing with the potential cost of care is a real one, and for one already on a shoe string budget, perhaps not the kind of thing that is considered to be a necessity. With the growing cost of nursing home care and that of home care, it's little wonder that these thoughts of the future put a strain on those who are faced with these questions. After all, insurance plans, including Medicare pay only a minimal amount for these services, and the difference can really cause a strain on the family budget, especially if the one in long-term care is the primary source of income. One of the first things that come to mind when thinking of insurance to cover long term care is the cost. With all of the everyday costs that are involved in just living in the present, it's difficult to think of adding care insurance cost that one may not need to use until some extended day into the future, if at all. Nonetheless, the future has to be consolidated into the budget since one never knows if and when that time may come.
The best way to handle the potential for purchasing long term care insurance is to obtain at least five quotes. A quick search on the Internet through in one state produced a quote of $44.04 for a policy that provides $3,600 a per month for three years on a basic plan $77.40 for a choice plan that pays $4,500 per month for four years, and $95.85 for the select plan that also pays $4,500 per month for four years. The choice plan is customarily for younger people who wish to begin saving early in life for the long-term care that they may require when they age.Of course, that is only one quote, and it involves one state, however, keep in mind that the costs of nursing home care steadily rises every year, and once you are retired and on a fixed income, you will not be able to keep up with those costs. Only a family who is financially well off can afford the cost of long term care without the benefit of insurance. To save yourself and your family from financial disaster should you require long-term care, take the time to obtain quotes and purchase the insurance now before the time comes that you need it. It is much easier to take the time to investigate something more thoroughly when you don't need it than to rush to find it when there is already the potential need for it. 

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Avoid Long Term Care Insurance Mistakes

Long term care insurance is the best way to preserve your important assets and plan for your retirement, but it could also turn out worse without proper planning and insufficient knowledge on how it works. Here are the things you should be wary of to avoid the worst financial mistake of your lifetime:
Premiums can increase

Many insurance companies egg on consumers from buying long term care insurance coverage at younger age, promising the locked-in benefits and other perks for the early birds. The assumption that long term care insurance premiums will remain the same when bought at early age is partly true.

No one can predict when those insurance companies will increase rates. But the truth is: the younger you are the more your premiums may be prone from price hike.

Denied Claims

You must have seen news about a company not providing claims to policyholders. Why that happens? Some companies make insurance claims onerous because they know that older people don't argue much and sick people don't last long.

You can avoid those dirty tactics if you know how the insurance claims work and the corresponding rules and regulations of your insurer in getting claims. Before you say yes to your insurer, make it sure to read the entire policy and conduct a background check of the company. Don't trust companies that make promises that sound too good to be true.

You could overpay

The prices of long term care differ from one insurer to another. How long you will need the coverage and what type of coverage you should need are two determining factors in getting affordable policy.
Don't be swayed with company offers of lifetime coverage because you don't really need it. The average stay in nursing homes is two to three years, so it makes sense if you buy a coverage that pays out benefits for two to three years also. Also, canvass the costs of nursing homes in your area and determine the daily rates, so you get the idea on how much will be your daily benefit. Also, insuring every possible is not practical. You should always save for the out-of-pocket expenses.

Skimping on the waiting period

Many people thought that choosing a longer waiting period would lower their long term care insurance premiums. What a blunder! Longer waiting period will lengthen the days you need to pay on your own. Your expenses will be heftier in the future dollars. The bottom line is pick a waiting period either 60-day or 90-day to balance your out-of-pocket costs and manage your premiums.

Picking the wrong company

Some people give much consideration on the price than the quality that would lead them to wrong company. Long term care insurance is always so what would you expect? Don't be fooled by companies that offer below the market value to push consumers from buying policies, but later increase rates when policyholders are too old to argue and go elsewhere.

Always go with a company that has proven track record and stable for decades in the long term care insurance business.

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2:32 PM | 0 comments

Choosing a Long Term Care Insurance

According to the independent Long Term Care Guide, long term care insurance, may cover your daily in-home or nursing care needs in the event you need it. You might get injured and require long term care, or suffer a long term illness. As you age, you might simply need help with daily tasks either at your home or in a nursing home. This type of long term care can be expensive, prohibitively so for many people, but for those that need to use their coverage, long term care insurance can prove to be invaluable.
But how do you choose a long term care insurance policy? Purchasing any kind of insurance can be uncomfortable for many people, but purchasing long term care insurance might be harder because it forces you to consider many important decisions that you've never faced before. Experts estimate that at least one of every two Americans will require some sort of long term medical care at some point in their lives. How you pay for this care is something you should consider now, before you need it, and for many people purchasing a long term care insurance policy helps guarantee peace of mind.

So how do you choose a long term care insurance policy?

First, consider the insurance company. Since it could be many years or decades before you need your benefits, make sure the company you choose has been around for some time and will reliably be around when you need it. Be sure to check their Best rating for financial soundness. Consider some details of the insurance policy. How long of an elimination period do you want? An elimination period is how long you will pay your expenses out of pocket before your insurance company will start paying your expenses. When purchasing a long term care insurance policy the choices are generally 90 days, 60 days or 0 days. You can choose to have an inflation adjustment option. You also have the choice of the length of coverage. The average length of a nursing home stay is 2.5 years, so you can choose the average length of stay for coverage, or some other coverage period. It might be an unlimited number of years, or you might choose just 2 years, or as many as 5. This is an important determination in choosing your insurance. Balance the costs and risks of outliving your long term care insurance carefully.
Another choice you might make when purchasing long term care insurance is how long your insurance company will provide coverage overall (a set number of years or for an unlimited period of time).

Finally, think where you might get care. Make sure the policy will cover all types of care, whether provided in a skilled nursing facility, a nursing home or in your own home.
It's important to consider the various options when purchasing long term care insurance. Be sure to read the policy to understand the benefits and limitations of the coverage and its cost. Any insurance agent you are working with can also help with questions you have about purchasing a long term care insurance policy.

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2:12 PM | 0 comments

Guide To Long Term Care Insurance

To take care of this issue, insurance providers have introduced the long term care insurance. Through this cover, insured patients can access long term care from institutions which are specifically built for the care and rehabilitation process of older people. These include nursing homes and old age rehabilitation centers. Although long term care is essential for people who have reached old age, very few of them are aware of its importance. With long time care insurance, they get the facility of hospital care, rehab and nursing aides for home. By purchasing this insurance, people get access to the benefits. These benefits are generally given as a certain amount of money which is calculated on a daily basis throughout the period the benefits last. As long as you have that amount of money, the insurance company will clear you expenses if the need arises. In this way, you or your family members do not have to worry about paying for the long time care for a good amount of time. Problems, particularly if pertaining to health, do not come announced. While we are young and active, we may not be much concerned about health issues. However, as we grow old, our health starts deteriorating and needs to be taken care of at all times. At old age, it becomes an even greater necessity to have health insurance to care of the expenses arising out of any health issues. But a bigger problem emerges when they suffer from ailments that require long term care. Generally, the health insurance does not provide cover for the expenses incurred on long term care. Even in cases where it does, the insurance provided is negligible.
Another important thing to know about the cover for long term care is that it protects the insurance holder from the impact of inflation. Due to this, if at any point there is a hike in the rates of long term care service then the insurance slab is increased accordingly. With the increase in the benefits earned daily, the coverage sum also grows so as to provide higher level of protection from inflation.
Moreover, the long term care insurance premiums decrease due to the elimination or waiting period. This is basically the time during which insurance holders are required to make payments for your health care before the amount is disbursed by the insurance company. The tax levies on the long term care insurance is applicable on every person and business that is a part of the insurance cover.

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