Protect Your Retirement (NAPSA)—A long-term care event may occur at any age, and the potential financial and emotionalstrain that accompaniesit can affect you and your loved ones. Millions of Americans require long term care during theirlifetimes, which includes the needfor cognitive or physical assistance with simple tasks like bathing,eating and dressing—theeverydayactivities most people do without a second thought. Unfortunately, traditionalhealth insurance—including TRI- CARE or TRICARE for Life—does not payfor the chronic, ongoing assistance with daily living most often associated with longterm care. Members of the armed services America’s veterans and their fami- lies can apply for long term care insurance long before they needit. may apply for benefits provided by the youoryourloved onesneedlong term Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), care services someday. though several factors determine eligibility. For this reason—and to ensure you're prepared for any situation—it is important to understand howtraditional VA health care benefits work— and whata long-term care event might meanforyourretirementplanning. Health Insurance And VAEligibility While the VA health program provides coverage for long term care, pro- gram entry is determined by the VA based on the numberofveteranscovered. by congressionalfunding allocated each year. Dueto this limited enrollment,the VAhasestablished eight separate priority groups to categorize enrollees and determinethe level of benefits to which they are entitled—andpossibly whether theyare eligible atall. Many additional factors come into play, including service-connecteddisabil- Since 2002, the FLTCIP hasoffered active and retired members of the uniformed services the opportunity to help control their future long-term care needs. Designed with solutions for a range offinancial situations, this employer-sponsored program has grown to be the most successful and utilized program ofits kind, providing comprehensive coverage for more than 270,000 enrollees. Active and retired members of the uniformed servicesareeligible to apply for coverage under the FLTCIP, as are certain family members or qualified relatives. (Family members may apply, even if you are not eligible. Qualified relatives include your spouse, domestic partner,parents and parents-in-law, and adult children.) incomelevels, and even one’s ability to For more about the FLTCIP’s comprehensive benefits and features, or to find average long term care costs in your care benefits may find they are unable to 800-LTC-FEDS(800-582-3337) or TTY ity status (70 percentorgreater), current contribute to the cost ofcare. Members of the uniformed services seeking long term meetthe agency’s criteria. area,visit www.LTCFEDS.com. For personalized assistance, call 800-843-3557 to speak with a program Beyondeligibility, the level of cover- consultant, who can answer questions age available to you for long term care, and walk you through the plan design which can be very expensive, may not and application process. be enough. Note: Certain medical conditions, ‘TheFederal Long Term Care or combinationsof conditions, will preInsurance Program (FLTCIP) vent somepeople from being approved Forall those reasons, you may wish for coverage. You needto apply to find to consider applying for stand-alone outifyou qualify for FLTCIP coverage. long term care insurance as offered The FLTCIP is sponsored by the through the FLTCIP. US. Office of Personnel Management, With benefitstailored to the federal family, the FLTCIP is a goodway to help protect your savings andassets, should insured by John HancockLife & Health Insurance Company, and administered by Long Term CarePartners, LLC.
