Long term care insurance is a relatively new kind of insurance
that many Florida residents may not be aware of. Many people don't
understand what these policies cover, why you may need them, what
you need to obtain coverage, and when and how benefits are paid.
This article intends to explain some of the questions you might
have about getting long term care insurance in Florida.
Most long term care policies pay a preset amount of the policyholder's
long term care costs when the insured is certified by a licensed
health care practitioner as being chronically ill. This means that
the person who is insure is either in need of substantial supervision
due to cognitive impairment, or that the insure is having trouble
performing at least two of the six acts of daily living. These
acts include moving oneself from one location to another, such
as from chair to bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, eating,
and continence. Once the benefits are triggered on a long term
care policy, the benefits continue for a preset time period, or
until long term care is no longer needed.
Generally, a long term care insurance policy will cover nursing
home stays. Coverage is also available for assisted living communities,
at home care, and adult days centers, depending on the plan. Long
term care insurance policies can vary in coverage and benefits,
so it's important to read the fine print when looking for one.
With rising care costs, these policies can form an important part
of your plan for paying for future assistance. There are some common
provisions that must be part of long term care policies which are
sold in the state of Florida. These include coverage of at least
24 months of skilled, intermediate, or custodial nursing home coverage
that is recommended by a doctor. They must also include at least
one lower level of care, like home care, with at least have the
benefits of the nursing home care.
Purchasing long term care insurance can be an important protective
measure for Florida seniors who do no qualify for Medicaid. Medicare
and health insurance do not provide coverage for this kind of expense,
and it must generally be paid out of pocket. With long term care
insurance, you have a way to know that your future long term care
will be covered. When choosing a policy, you should make sure that
the monthly payments will not affect your current quality of life.
It is important to be able to afford any kind of long term care
insurance that you buy. Purchasing your insurance earlier is a
good way to secure a better rate, since insurance companies raise
long term care insurance rates as their policyholders age. If you're
looking for a way to make sure that you will be covered in the
future, without having to rely on your relatives, long term care
insurance may be the right solution for you.