What factors affect the cost of long-term care insurance?
Long-term care insurance cost is driven mainly by your age and health when you buy, the benefit amount and benefit period, the elimination period, inflation protection, and your sex and marital status.
Seven factors drive a long-term care insurance premium:
- Age at purchase — younger costs less.
- Health — better health earns lower rate classes.
- Daily or monthly benefit — how much the policy pays.
- Benefit period — how long benefits last (for example, 3 years vs. lifetime).
- Elimination period — the waiting period before benefits start; a longer wait lowers the premium.
- Inflation protection — the most valuable and most expensive option.
- Sex and marital status — women pay more; couples get discounts.
Because these combine differently for everyone, two people the same age can pay very different premiums.
General information only. This is educational and not insurance, legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules and products vary and change — confirm the specifics with a licensed professional.
Free guide
The LTC411 Guide — Our complete, flagship guide — costs, every coverage option, taxes, Medicaid, elder law, caregiving, and how to choose, all in one place.
Have more questions? Get a free, no-obligation comparison
Free cost comparison
See personalized long-term care insurance costs from the carriers still writing new policies in 2026 — no obligation and no pressure.
Request a free, no-obligation cost comparisonThe LTC411 Guide
Prefer to read up first? Get our complete, plain-English guide to planning and paying for long-term care, delivered to your inbox.
Get the free complete guide