Recommendations For Lowering The Cost of Long Term Care Insurance

The New York Times again published a story about long term care recently, this one in regards to falling home prices and the effect this is having on those who were planning on selling their homes to pay for long term care in assisted living facilities. The problem is, home prices have fallen so far these folks don't have the income to cover the high cost of assisted living.No one will argue the cost of long term care is low, so planning for the inevitable may relieve some of the stress of having to cover these high costs. Insurance for long term care is an option that will in the long run, cover a significant portion of long term care. Understanding how this type of insurance works though is very important.Here are 5 factors, with recommendations, to help simplify the benefit selection process. Each of these decisions can impact the policy premiums. 

1. Daily or Monthly Benefit: Look at the average cost of care in your area and choose the benefit to closely match that cost. This is the daily benefit available for facility care. Purchase the highest benefit you can afford because health care inflation costs will erode your daily benefit. Recommendation: Purchase close to the private room rate in your area. If you choose to self-insure some of the cost, purchase at least 70% - 80% of the private room rate.
2. Benefit Period: How long will the policy pay benefits? Benefit periods are available from1year to lifetime. Choose at least a three-year benefit, preferably a six-year benefit. The ideal plan is lifetime because you never have to be concerned about outliving your benefits. Recommendation: If you are under the age of 70, considerate least 5 years, but purchase what you can afford. The best long-term care plan is the one that is in force when you need it.
3. Elimination Period (deductible): Most people choose a waiting period of 90 days or less. The longer the waiting period, the lower the premium. With the costs of care tripling over the next twenty years, the difference you might save in premium may not justify having to pay the first three months out-of-pocket. Recommendation: 60 or90-day elimination period.
4. Home Health & Community Coverage: Most view a nursing home as your last resort, so be sure you have excellent home and community coverage. This benefit may be the very thing that keeps you out of the nursing home. With some policies this is a rider you can add and with others it is automatically included. Benefits are a percentage of your nursing home benefit, for example, 50%, 80%, or 100%. Recommendation: At least 80%, preferably 100% of the daily benefit.
5. Inflation Protection: It is important to address inflation protection within your policy. According to the General Accounting Office, long-term care costs are growing at 5.8% annually and are projected to triple in 20 years! Make sure the benefits are as good in the future as they are today. Recommendation: If you are under age 70, purchase inflation at 5% compounded annually. (Benefit doubles in 14.4 years) Ages 70 - 74, you can purchase 5%simple inflation (Benefit doubles in 20 years.) Ages 75 and over, you can purchase a higher daily or monthly benefit and build in inflation protection immediately or use a Guaranteed Purchase Option that allows you to buy up additional daily benefit without proving insurability.

Understanding how long term care insurance policies work will reap rewards in the future. Contact a licensed LTCI representative to help you decide if long term care is right for you.