Long-term care insurance, should you have it?
Becoming chronically ill due to a cognitive impairment, or if you’re unable to perform at least two activities of daily living without substantial assistance, qualifies a person for long-term care. Having insurance that covers long-term care would help pay for the care you need. Depending on the level of care that is required, that care may be provided in a nursing home, an alternate care facility, or even your own home.
In addition to helping pay the costs of long-term care, long-term care insurance may help to provide these additional benefits:
- Protect your savings and other assets
- Preserve your independence
- Avoid government dependence
If you’re unable to pay for long-term care when you or even a loved one needs it, odds are you will need to spend down, or liquidate, your assets to become eligible for Medicaid to pay the costs of the care required. That is a sad reality if you do not have the coverage when you need it.
Another option is purchasing a long-term care rider on your life insurance. This option provides care before the client requires long-term health due to age but instead provides coverage become impaired due to an accident or illness.
