Long-Term Care Insurance
SHIBA
The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) HelpLine provides free help to people of all ages with questions about health insurance, health care access, and prescription access. Contact the SHIBA HelpLine
Long-term care insurance is a privately issued insurance policy which covers the costs of long term care not covered by other health insurance. Premiums are usually based on age, health, length of deductible period, amount paid, and duration of benefits. There are many plans and they all vary in eligibility, costs, and services covered. It is therefore important to understand what you are buying and whether it will meet your needs.
A good source of information is The Consumer's Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance from the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. They have several other helpful publications to help you plan and compare different long term care insurance options.
Learn more about financial planning for your long term care.
Disability Insurance
Disability insurance replaces income you lose if you have a long-term illness or injury and cannot work. Disability insurance does not cover the cost of rehabilitation if you are injured. Check your major medical insurance to see if it includes disability coverage.
Some employers offer group disability insurance and this may be one of the benefits where you work. Or you might be eligible for some government-sponsored programs that provide disability benefits. Many different kinds of individual policies are also available.
The Consumer's Guide to Disability Insurance explains disability insurance and sources of disability income to help you decide if you need this coverage. It will also help you compare your choices of policies. For a free copy, write to: Health Insurance Association of America, 555 13th St., N.W., Suite 600 East, Washington, D.C. 20004.
Are you a wartime veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran? Learn more about veteran’s benefits.