Answers
Long-term care questions, answered
Straight answers to the questions people ask most when they start planning for long-term care. No jargon, no sales pitch. 59 questions, grouped by topic.
Long-term care basics
What it costs and what it pays
- What is the average cost of long-term care?
- How much does long-term care insurance cost at age 60?
- How much does long-term care insurance cost at age 50?
- How much does long-term care insurance cost for a couple?
- Why do women pay more for long-term care insurance?
- What factors affect the cost of long-term care insurance?
- What discounts are available on long-term care insurance?
- How much does long-term care cost without insurance?
- What is inflation protection in long-term care insurance?
- What is return of premium on a long-term care policy?
- Should I choose simple or compound inflation protection?
- How much long-term care insurance coverage do I need?
How policies work
- What does long-term care insurance cover?
- What are activities of daily living (ADLs)?
- What does long-term care insurance not cover?
- Does long-term care insurance cover in-home care?
- Does long-term care insurance cover assisted living?
- Does long-term care insurance pay family caregivers?
- What is an elimination period in long-term care insurance?
- What triggers long-term care insurance benefits?
- What is a shared care rider in long-term care insurance?
- What is a benefit period in long-term care insurance?
Buying, timing, and underwriting
- At what age should I buy long-term care insurance?
- Can I get long-term care insurance if I have health problems?
- How do I check a long-term care insurer's financial strength rating?
- What health conditions disqualify you from long-term care insurance?
- Can you be denied long-term care insurance?
- Who should not buy long-term care insurance?
- What is the biggest mistake people make buying long-term care insurance?
- What is the maximum age to buy long-term care insurance?
- Does long-term care insurance require a medical exam?
Medicare, Medicaid, and Partnership programs
- Does Medicare cover long-term care?
- Does Medicaid pay for long-term care?
- What is a long-term care partnership program?
- Does my state have a long-term care partnership program?
- How does long-term care insurance protect assets from Medicaid?
- What is crisis Medicaid planning?
- Can veterans get help paying for long-term care?
Taxes and employer coverage
- What is the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)?
- Is the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program still accepting applications?
- Is long-term care insurance tax deductible?
- What are the 2026 tax-deductible limits for LTC insurance premiums?
- Can a business deduct long-term care insurance premiums?
- What is a 1035 exchange for long-term care insurance?
Claims, changes, and keeping a policy
- What happens if I never use my long-term care insurance?
- Can long-term care insurance premiums increase after I buy?
- How do you file a long-term care insurance claim?
- How long does it take for a long-term care insurance claim to pay out?
- Can I cancel my long-term care insurance policy?
- What happens if I stop paying long-term care insurance premiums?
Alternatives and hybrid coverage
Free guide
The Long-Term Care Planning Report — The essentials — what care costs, who really pays, your coverage options, and how to plan ahead.
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