A policy you may already own
Long-term care insurance pays when you activate it — not when you remember it exists.
Many families pay premiums for years and then stall on the claim. We help you read the contract you have, gather what the carrier wants, and start the benefit. This is not Medicare and not Medicaid.
What this page is for
If someone already bought a long-term care policy — stand-alone or a hybrid life/LTC contract — the work is to turn it on. That means meeting the benefit triggers (usually help with two activities of daily living, or a cognitive impairment), finishing any elimination period, and sending the right clinical notes to the carrier.
What it is not
- Not Medicare. Medicare does not pay for long-term custodial care. A short skilled-nursing stay after a hospital visit is a different thing.
- Not Medicaid. Medicaid long-term care is a need-based program with its own look-back and spend-down rules. An LTC policy is private insurance.
- We do not sell new long-term care policies on this page. If you do not have one, another path on this site will likely matter more.
Typical sticking points
- No one can find the policy. A carrier name, a leftover bill, or an old agent of record is enough to start.
- The facility or home-care agency is the “wrong” type under the contract (licensed vs. unlicensed; waiting-period math).
- The doctor’s note does not use the words the carrier needs. That is fixable. It is paperwork, not a character test.
- Premiums lapsed. Sometimes there is a reinstatement window. Sometimes there is not.
Bring what you have: a declarations page, a premium notice, even a photo of the booklet cover. Do not wait for a perfect file.
We are not the insurance company and not a claims fiduciary. Benefit decisions belong to the carrier. If you want a licensed insurance professional in the conversation, check the partner box.
Ask about an LTC policy
If you have a policy — or think you do — start here.