The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that about 70 percent of Americans will one day need long term care. The extent of care as well as the location where care is received varies greatly among the older adult population. The cost of care also varies but one thing is for sure: It is expensive.
The primary ways in which people pay for long term care include:
- Private Pay (out of pocket expense)
- Veterans Administration (some eligibility requirements)
- Medicaid (eligibility criteria varies by state)
- Traditional Medicare – covers a limited amount of care following a hospital stay (typically in a rehab setting for a short period of time)
- Medicare Advantage Plans – may cover some long-term care services such as home care, transportation to medical appointments, and meal delivery. Benefits are limited.
- Long-Term Care Insurance – this is NOT part of your Medicare benefit and is not included in your “supplement.” This is a policy that you would have purchased specifically for getting care as you age and become eligible.
We find that many of our clients utilize a combination of these methods to cover what they need. A common misperception is that an individual’s Medicare will pay for home care. It does not. In Mississippi, home care is provided by agencies that accept private pay, long term care insurance, and Medicaid (if approved as a Medicaid provider).
Covenant Caregivers works with numerous long term care insurance companies. We submit the required documentation to get our clients set up and then begin filing claims on a regular basis as long as the client desires or their policy allows.
If you have questions about immediate needs or are just in the planning stage, we’d love to hear from you. Call us for a free, no-obligation consultation today! 601-856-5660.
The following link will take you to an article published by AARP in October 2021. Although it may be a few months old, it has great information about long-term care.
Understanding Long Term Care Insurance