Long Term Care Planning
Cost of Long Term Care
Until we are faced with adversity, do not underestimate the importance of long term care planning and the high cost of care. A 2016 poll conducted by the The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Chicago explored long term care planning. The results show that average Americans lack awareness of the typical costs of long term care. Americans Age 40 and older are not well informed about the impact that long-term care will have on their personal resources. Moreover, there is an across the board misconception of financial assistance available for such care. Until you or a loved one becomes disabled and will require assistance with day-to-day personal care, it is easy to assume Medicare is going to foot the bill. At PBI Insurance, our staff is well-versed in health insurance and long term care insurance.
The Importance of Long term Care Planning
Most adults in America are unaware of the importance of long term care planning. Long term care planning awareness in early adulthood can help families prepare for the inevitable. Many assumptions are made about long term care, what it means, and how to pay for it. Long-term care services include help with everyday tasks, “custodial” care, or “activities of daily living”. Whether the custodial care is needed for a post-surgical recuperative period or for terminal conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease or ALS, you need the advice of a professional so you can prepare. The PBI Staff are experts in all aspects of Medical Insurance and Medicare Benefits and we can assist you with your questions about Long-Term Care Insurance.
According to the poll, the majority of Americans age 40 and older continue to lack confidence that they will be able to pay for long-term care, and few expect their current insurance to cover the costs of ongoing living assistance. Instead, many older adults expect to turn to Medicare or Social Security to support their care as they age, although these programs generally do not cover most long-term care services or costs. Additionally, support is high for policies that help Americans save for long-term care and for those that defray the costs of caregiving.
Custodial services are not covered by health insurance or Medicare. While Medicaid provides long-term services to those with chronic disabling conditions, it is only available for individuals who meet income and other eligibility requirements. Paying for custodial care services out-of-pocket is out of reach for the average person. According to the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation Office of Disability, “While most people with LTSS needs will spend relatively little on their care, about one in six (17%) will spend at least $100,000 out-of-pocket for future LTSS.” In fact, in Connecticut, the 2017 average monthly cost for home care is $4,000 and residing in a nursing facility (semi-private room) is more than $7,000. (source: https://www.genworth.com/about-us/industry-expertise/cost-of-care.html).
By 2040, it is expected that the senior population is expected to nearly double. The majority of these seniors will require some form of long-term care – help with activities such as cooking, bathing, or remembering to take medicine – that can be provided in a home or institutional setting. How to finance the provision of high-quality services so that the costs are manageable for families and governments will remain a primary challenge. You may have a loved one who is in need of long-term care, now or in the near future. Talk to the experts at PBI Insurance and get your questions answered. Call 860-233-1171 today.
