Asset-based long-term care is a life insurance policy that provides a form of coverage for elderly and disabled individuals who require assistance with activities of daily living. Normally, life insurance pays a death benefit to the beneficiary when the policyholder dies. With an asset-based long-term care policy, however, the death benefit is converted into a pool of money that can be used to pay for care and other purposes such as education or retirement savings. There are three main elements that contribute to the overall cost of long-term care: housing, health care, and personal assistance services. An asset-based policy helps to cover the costs of all three.
Most people need long-term care because they are unable to perform activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. Others may need long-term care because they are unable to perform certain tasks associated with their primary residences, such as cooking or cleaning. Because most individuals are not financially prepared for the costs of long-term care, many rely on Medicaid, which is a federal program that provides benefits for low-income people with limited resources. However, Medicaid does not always cover certain services and facilities, such as assisted living and nursing homes. This is where an asset-based long-term care policy can be helpful. It can provide a safety net for those who need it, while still allowing the individual to retain some of their assets. Some of the people who are likely to benefit most from asset-based long-term care policies are those whose health insurance does not cover all expenses related to long-term care. If an individual is forced to rely on Medicaid or other publicly funded programs due to a lack of alternative coverage, this could result in a significant loss of income and assets. An asset-based long-term care policy can help to prevent this from happening. Individuals who would like to have long-term care coverage but are unable to purchase it because of preexisting conditions may also benefit. Asset-based LTC policies are generally available regardless of medical history or health, and they can help to provide peace of mind and security. When an individual purchases an asset-based long-term care policy, they are essentially buying a life insurance policy that will provide a death benefit. However, instead of the death benefit being paid out to the beneficiary, it is used to pay for long-term care services. The amount of coverage an individual receives will depend on the amount of money they choose to use as the face value or death benefit for their policy. When an individual decides to apply for long-term care services, the insurer will segregate the assets in the policy and hold them until a claim is paid out. If there are more assets than needed to pay for long-term care, then the extra amount will be paid out as a death benefit to the beneficiary. If there are not enough assets in the policy, then the individual may have to claim Medicaid benefits to cover their expenses. The cost of an asset-based long-term care policy varies depending on factors such as the type of insurance company offering it, the age of the person who has applied for coverage, and the amount of coverage being requested. Generally speaking, however, individuals can expect to pay higher premiums for more extensive benefits. Most policies are structured as whole life or universal life policies, meaning that they will accrue more value over time. For example, someone who purchases a $100,000 policy at age 55 could expect to pay about $2,000 per year for the first 10 years (and more after that). A 45-year-old individual with the same policy might pay about $3,000 per year. The younger the purchaser is when they purchase their policy, however, the lower the premiums will be for life. There are several benefits to choosing an asset-based long-term care policy: There are also a few drawbacks to choosing an asset-based long-term care policy: Asset-based long-term care policies can be a wise financial decision for individuals who want to ensure that they have coverage for long-term care expenses. The policies can provide a death benefit that can be used to pay for services such as assisted living and nursing homes. They can also help to protect the individual's personal assets from being used to pay for long-term care expenses. Individuals who are interested in purchasing an asset-based long-term care policy should consult with a financial advisor to find the best policy for their needs.Why Do People Need Long-Term Care?
Who Can Benefit from Asset-Based LTC?
How Does Asset-Based LTC Work?
Asset-Based LTC Policy Cost
Pros of Choosing Asset-Based LTC
Cons of Choosing Asset-Based LTC
Final Thoughts
Asset-Based Long-Term Care FAQs
An asset-based long-term care policy is a life insurance policy that provides coverage for long-term care services. The benefit of the policy is paid out in the form of assets, which can be used to cover the costs of all types of long-term care.
Asset-based LTC policies can be suitable for most people, but they are particularly beneficial for those who: – Are unable to purchase traditional long-term care insurance because of a pre-existing condition – Are not interested in or unable to pay the high premiums that may be required for traditional LTC policies – Need assistance with basic life activities such as cooking, bathing, and dressing.
Individuals who purchase an asset-based long-term care policy will need to decide on the amount of coverage they need. The assets in the policy will be segregated and held by the insurer until a claim is paid out. If there are more assets than needed to cover the costs of long-term care, then the extra amount will be paid out as a death benefit. However, if there are not enough assets in the policy to pay for long-term care expenses, then the insured individual will need to use their own personal assets or rely on Medicaid benefits.
Many factors will affect how much long-term care coverage costs including the individual's age, amount of coverage needed, and the type of policy they choose. It is important for individuals to investigate all their options before choosing a policy that best fits their needs.
There are many benefits to choosing an asset-based LTC policy, including: – Coverage is available regardless of health history or condition. – Assets can be used to cover all types of long-term care, including assisted living, nursing home care, and in-home care. – The death benefit can be used to pay for final expenses or be left to loved ones.
True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.
True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.
To learn more about True, visit his personal website, view his author profile on Amazon, or check out his speaker profile on the CFA Institute website.