Q: What is long-term care?
Long-Term Care consists of assistance for everyday tasks that you may no longer be able to perform by yourself. For example, there may come a time when you need help getting dressed, transferring, or bathing. Long-term care also includes help in case you have a severe cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer's disease. You can receive long-term care in a variety of settings, including your own home, a nursing home, or an assisted living facility.
Q: What are my odds of needing long-term care?
The odds are that you will need long-term care at some point in your life, and you may need it sooner than you think. 70% of people over the age 65 will need long-term care, and nearly 40% of people currently needing long-term care services are working adults aged 16–64.
Q: Why would I need long-term care insurance (LTCi)?
Long-term care, without coverage, will be expensive and can deplete your hard-earned savings. The national average cost for nursing home/facility care is over $90,000 annually, and home care is over $50,000 per year.
Q: Doesn't my existing health insurance or other insurance cover long-term care?
You may think that you are covered by your existing health coverage plan, but in most cases you are not.
Q: Do FedAdvantage members have access to LTCi?
FedAdvantage will be providing members with access to a Long-Term Care Insurance exchange. The marketplace will offer members a choice of various LTCi plans depending on the member’s state of residence. Also available is YourCare360, a free resource for members to inquire about various aspects of caretaking and caregiving, including a free home assessment by a nurse.
Q: What LTCi plans are available?
The marketplace will offer a choice of traditional plans. The specific carrier and benefits will depend on where you reside and what plans are available in your state.
Q: Do I have to submit to a paramedical or other types of exams?
Most applicants will complete an application, participate in a phone interview, and have their medical records ordered by the insurance carrier. Some applicants in their late 60’s or 70’s may have to participate in a face to face interview in their home.
Q: Will the plans be portable when separated from my employer, retired, or no longer an active FedAdvantage member?
The plans are fully portable. Members can keep the coverage if the premiums are paid when required.
Q: Will dependents (spouse) be eligible for coverage too, or is this benefit only for the members?
Dependents/spouses are eligible for coverage if they meet the insurance company’s underwriting criteria. They also do not have to enroll in the same plan as what the member elects.
Q: Will there be plans available that will allow for accelerated premium payment schedules? (Example: I’d like to find a plan that allows for my premiums to be paid in full by the time I retire.)
Yes, there is an opportunity, based on where you live, to have a “paid-up” or accelerated payment component, i.e., 10-year payments. For details, we will need to refer your question to a licensed professional in long-term care from ACSIA Partners.
FedAdvantage is not recommending any specific product or service. FedAdvantage encourages members to carefully consider their personal circumstances and review their options. Any transactions will involve highly personal decisions and arrangements as to long-term care made directly between the member and ACSIA Partners