Long Term Care Insurance

Protect Your Future with Comprehensive Coverage

Stay-at-home planning is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and for your family.

Long-term care (LTC) insurance provides individuals with the help they need on a daily basis, either through a nursing home or other facilities. For some, it’s an opportunity to maintain their independence and dignity in an environment that provides the companionship of others—and for others, it’s the only way they can continue to live safely and comfortably at home.

Long-Term Care Insurance Explained

Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance that helps to cover the cost of care for people who are unable to care for themselves. This can include in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home care. It is important to note that long-term care insurance is not the same as health insurance. Health insurance covers doctor’s visits and hospital stays, while long-term care insurance covers the cost of ongoing care.

For those looking for long-term care insurance for themselves, this type of plan helps protect you financially in the event that age or illness leaves you unable to properly care for yourself. The reality is that 70% of people ages 65 and over will require long-term care assistance at some point in their lives.

Projected Cost of Care in Hawaii Over the Next Decade¹

By 2033, the annual cost of care is expected to be

Informal Care

$91,779

Home Care

$126,774

Assisted Living

$145,731

Nursing Home

$235,241

¹“Long-Term Care Calculator.” Compare Long-Term Care Costs from State to State, https://oneamericaltcmap.hvsfinancial.com/.

Last updated May 3, 2023.

Why You Need Long-Term Care Insurance

The average cost of a nursing home stay is over $80,000 per year in the U.S., and over $200,000 per year in the state of Hawaii—that number is only going up. Medicare does not cover the cost of long-term care, so unless you have long-term care insurance, you will be responsible for paying these costs out of pocket. Additionally, more people are choosing to age in place, which means they will need in-home care. The cost of in-home care can also be quite high, and it is not covered by Medicare either. Long-term care insurance can help you to cover these costs so that you are not left financially burdened.

How Long-Term Care Has Changed

In the past, most people simply put their parents in a nursing home and hoped for the best. However, today there is a much greater focus on keeping seniors in their own homes for as long as possible. This has led to a change in the way that long-term care is provided. Instead of simply providing financial assistance, many long-term care policies provide access to services like home health aides and transportation assistance. This helps to ensure that seniors are able to age in place safely and comfortably.

What Are the Six Activities of Daily Living?

If a person becomes unable to do any two of the following Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), they may qualify for long-term care coverage:

Bathing
Dressing
Eating
Transferring – getting in or out of a bed or chair
Toileting – Going to the bathroom alone
Caring for incontinence – ability to control bowel and bladder movements

Digital resources at your fingertips

Steps to long term care insurance

Determine How Much Coverage You Need

LTC policies vary in the amount that they pay out monthly and the total amount paid over the course of time. This calculator can help determine how much coverage you need. More expensive policies provide more coverage. Determine the amount that fits in your budget.

Determine the Type of Coverage You Want

LTC policies can be sold as stand-alone policies that only pay out if you require long-term care. There are also hybrid LTC policies that also act as traditional life insurance should you not require LTC care. Our team will help you decide which type is best for you.

Compare and Apply

Occidental is happy to consult with you and answer any questions you might have about the different long-term care policy options available to you. We have been proudly serving the families of Hawaii for nearly 90 years. We look forward to helping you find the perfect policy and peace of mind.

FAQ

Who buys long-term care insurance?
Am I too young to buy long-term care insurance?

It’s never too early to look at long-term care insurance, especially if you have experienced a long-term care-related event in your lifetime. Premiums are lower for those in their 40s and 50s than those over age 65. After age 60, long-term care insurance premiums begin to increase drastically.
What if my partner is showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia? Are they still qualified?
What qualifies for long-term care insurance coverage?

You’re eligible for benefits for most policies if you are severely cognitively impaired or unable to perform two out of the six Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). The ADLs are bathing, caring for incontinence, dressing, eating, toileting (getting on and off the toilet), and transferring (getting in or out of a bed or chair).
What can long-term care insurance benefits be used for?
What is hybrid long-term care insurance?

It is a long-term care policy with a life insurance component to protect against losing all premiums paid if you die without using the policy while also providing LTC coverage above and beyond the death benefit. It differs from a typical life policy with a rider because a life policy with a rider only has one bucket to access LTC benefits; the death benefit. A hybrid policy allows you to access money from the death benefit and a continuation of benefits bucket.
Why shouldn’t I rely on Medicare or Medicaid instead of long-term care insurance?

Medicare and regular health insurance only pay for medical expenses. Medicaid only pays for nursing home care, but you must spend most of your savings first before you qualify. Regular health insurance also doesn’t cover long-term care, and if you don’t have insurance to cover long-term care, you’ll have to pay for it yourself in most states.
How do I pay for long-term care insurance?