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The more you understand Medicare, the more you'll see the benefits of Long Term Care
insurance.
WHAT LONG-TERM CARE MEDICARE COVERS
The federal Medicare program is designed to provide hospitalization and outpatient medical coverage when
someone 65 and older is no longer working.
However, it makes no provisions for care lasting more than 100 days. Although Medicare will pay up to 100
days in a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation, this coverage reflects a small fraction of benefits paid because of
very stringent eligibility requirements.
HOW MEDICARE WORKS WITH LONG-TERM CARE
Medicare will only pay rehabilitation benefits if a Medicare client qualifies as needing skilled care.
The client must spend three (3) nights in a hospital (not required by LTC insurance), then go directly, without missing any
days, to a Medicare-approved skilled nursing facility. A co-pay (usually Medicare supplement insurance policy) begins
on day 21. On day 101, all benefits cease even if a client still qualifies for skilled care.
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101+ days
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Nothing
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All costs
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THE LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE ADVANTAGE
Instead of counting on the narrow window of Medicare eligibility, you can protect yourself with your own
Long Term Care insurance policy. You can choose benefits that work for your individual situation and lifestyle, rather relying
on the outside chance you'll qualify for limited Medicare benefits.
The smart thing to do is not to wait until you have a health problem that might leave you
uninsurable for Long Term Care insurance protection.
The question that often arises is:
"When should I apply and hopefully acquire a LTC insurance policy"?......and the answer is:
"When you're thinking about it (like right now), when you are healthy and possibly insurable, and when it's
affordable (the younger you apply the less the premiums will be)".
Waiting could be financially and emotionally disasterous!
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