What Is Long Term Care Insurance? | Get Free Quotes and Information From an Expert Agent |
| You can purchase insurance that makes payments to you if you require care in a nursing home. Some policies provide payments for care in the home when such care is used in place of nursing home care. This type of policy is called long-term care insurance. Some people also refer to it as nursing home insurance. The cost and coverage of long-term care insurance varies considerably from one policy to another. Policies must provide coverage for 2 years or longer for stays at the skilled, intermediate and custodial care level. Home health care must be offered on an optional basis unless automatically provided for in the policy. Individual policies must define skilled, intermediate, custodial and home care. The benefit payments may vary according to the level of care required. What Type of Care is Covered by Long-Term Care Insurance? The following explanations can serve as a general guide to the types of available care: Skilled nursing care is that level of care that is required for acute or chronic medical conditions of an individual. It requires nursing and rehabilitation services which can only be performed by skilled medical personnel such as registered nurses or professional therapists. Skilled nursing care must be performed under the order of a physician. One or more professional nursing methods or procedures must be performed for your benefit on a daily basis.
| Intermediate nursing care usually refers to a level of care delivered in a nursing home that is somewhat between skilled nursing care and assisted living or custodial care. Intermediate care is similar to skilled nursing care in that it requires the order of a physician. It also requires one or more nursing procedures or methods to be performed for your benefit by skilled medical personnel. It is different from skilled nursing care in that procedures may be performed on an occasional basis. Both skilled and intermediate care require a plan of medical treatment and medical records. Medicare does not cover intermediate care. Assisted living, or custodial care, is the type of care required to assist you in meeting daily living requirements such as: walking, eating, bathing, dressing, and taking medicine. Custodial care can be provided by persons without medical skills or extensive training. Medicare does not cover custodial care. Home care: Long-term care insurance policies provide coverage on an optional basis for home care in addition to nursing home care. Some policies may include this coverage automatically. Home care includes skilled nursing care, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, and personal care delivered in the home. Medical services provided in the home by nurses, health aides and the various therapies are paid for by both Medicare and Medicaid if the patient is home bound and meets stringent health care guidelines. How does long-term care insurance differ from health benefits available to Medicare enrollees? How to compare long-term care insurance policies How do you decide what to buy? |
