Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance by Jim Heyer (NAPSA)—A growing numberof baby boomers are beginningto con- sider how a long-term illness and are good that you will, and living a longer life increases the chances. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates the need for long-term care have the potential to drain their retirement funds and derail their plans. that 60 percent of those age 65 be a critical part of a holistic financial and retirementplan. Whatis long-term care? Medicare supplement policy cover the expenses associated Long-term care insurance can Long-term care is the care and als assistance needed by those who are no longer capable of independently performing everyday living activities, such as bathing, Heyer dressing and prepar- ing meals. In addition to the care and supervision required by those afflicted with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and strokes, other common health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease can eventually require long-term care. This type of care can be received in an assisted-living facil- ity, a nursing facility or in one’s home. Many of those needing long-term care services today are receiving it from family members. Why do I need long-term care insurance? Long-term care can be expen- sive. The cost of a nursing facility averages about $75,000 a year, with the cost being much higher in certain areas of the country. While not as costly, an assisted- living facility still averages about $35,000 a year. Long-term care insurance can help pay for these costs helping to protect your property and preserve yourassets. How likely am I to ever need long-term care? Chances and older will need this type of care at somepoint in theirlives. Doesn’t Medicare or my with long-term care? Medicare and Medicare supplemental coverage are designed to provide benefits primarily for acute care situations, such as physician’s fees and hospital charges. Medicare provides extremely limited benefits for a short stay in a skilled nursing facility, and only under certain conditions. What’s the averagecost of a long-term care insurancepolicy? According to a 2005 LifePlans survey, the average annual cost of a policy is about $2,000. When shouldI start considering long-term care insurance? The average age of people buying long-term care insurance is about 58 and has been dropping for the last 10 years. Starting to use long-term care insurance as part of a prudent financial and retirement plan in your early 50s is a good idea. It’s important to note that premi- ums are based on your age and health when you first purchase the policy, so the older you are when you buy, the more it will cost. As a result, it’s usually in the consumer’s best interest to purchaseit early, rather than waiting until later. Jim Heyer, the Long-Term Care Insurance Answer Man, is senior vice president, Penn Treaty Network America Insurance Co., a leading provider of long-term care insurance. To learn more, visit www.penntreaty.com.
