Planning for Long Term Care

by United Seniors Health Council (USHC)

• ISBN13: 9780071398480
• ISBN10: 0071398481
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-05-09
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education

Summary

A PAPERBACK ORIGINALA comprehensive guide to understanding, choosing, and buying long-term care services and insurance"An excellent source of information." shy;shy;Moneymagazine"This book provides the information and guidance people will need to make sound decisions about ensuring and gaining access to long-term care."shy;shy;Ann LandersIn the next 10 years, more than 12 million Americans will require some form of longterm care. Written by the trusted experts at the United Seniors Health Council,Planning for Long Term Caredemystifies the issues surrounding long-term care insurance so readers can make informed decisions when buying a policy. It provides an overview of all long-term care services, along with guidance on how to access them and how to pay for them. It also covers a host of financial and family issues related to home care, assisted living, nursing home care, private long-term care insurance, and much more.

Author Biography

United Seniors Health Council (USHC), a program of the nonprofit organization The National Council on the Aging (NCOA), has been providing unbiased information to the media and counseling consumers about their long-term care options for over 15 years. Neither USHC nor NCOA sell or endorse any insurance products.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Introduction	1	(1)
Long-Term Care---What, Who, When, How Much?	2	(3)
Financial Planning and Investing	5	(3)
How to Use This Guide	8	(1)
For Your Information	9	(2)
Part I: Planning for Home Care	11	(42)
Resources to Help You Live at Home	13	(10)
Family As a Resource	14	(2)
Community Services As a Resource	16	(5)
For Your Information	21	(2)
Your House As a Resource	23	(8)
Selling Your House	23	(1)
Renting Your Home	24	(2)
Making It Legal	26	(1)
Reverse Mortgages	26	(3)
Other Options	29	(1)
For Your Information	30	(1)
Insurance Coverage for Home Health Care	31	(10)
Medicare	31	(3)
Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap Insurance)	34	(1)
Medicaid	35	(1)
Long-Term Care Insurance	36	(2)
Veterans' Benefits	38	(1)
For Your Information	39	(2)
Supportive Living Arrangements	41	(12)
Shared Living	41	(1)
Assisted Living	42	(1)
Financially Assisted Housing	43	(5)
Continuing Care Retirement Communities	48	(3)
For Your Information	51	(2)
Part II: Planning Ahead for Nursing Home Care	53	(22)
Nursing Home Options Today	57	(6)
Choosing a Nursing Home in Advance	59	(1)
Hospice Care	60	(1)
For Your Information	61	(2)
Government Programs to Pay for Nursing Home Care	63	(12)
Medicare's Limited Coverage	64	(2)
Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap Insurance)	66	(1)
Medicaid---Payer of Last Resort	66	(5)
Other Government Programs	71	(2)
For Your Information	73	(2)
Part III: Private Long-Term Care Insurance	75	(42)
Insurance to Pay for Long-Term Care	81	(36)
Should You Buy Long-Term Care Insurance?	82	(8)
Tax Treatment of Long-Term Care Insurance	90	(2)
Which Policy Is Right for Me?	92	(7)
Selecting a Policy	99	(12)
Consumer Tips	111	(3)
For Your Information	114	(3)
Conclusion	117	(4)
Appendix A: Long-Term Care Insurance Worksheet	121	(4)
Appendix B: State Health Insurance Assistance Programs	125	(2)
Appendix C: State Insurance Departments	127	(8)
Appendix D: Companies Selling Long-Term Care Insurance	135	(6)
Index	141