Monday, September 3, 2012

LTC 101: Policy Design (short-fat vs long-thin)

Two ideas prevail when developing a LTC Reinbursment policy.
1: Short - Fat: A short elimination period (30 or 90 days) of $200 to $400 a day benefit with a two, three or four year multiplier.  
Example $200 x 1095 day = $219,000 first year policy value, 90 day facility 0 day home care, 5% compound inflation. 
    Annual Premium 50 year old couple  $2,708 
 (United of Omaha- Std)
Advantage: Client controls the cash flow.  Depending upon need (cost and length of care) sends all or part of  the covered benefits. 
2. Long-Thin: less Daily benefit x 5 year to eight year multiplier with a long elimination period (180 or 365).
Example: $100 x 2,920 = $292,000 first year value. 365 day elimination period , 5% compound.
    Annual Premium for 50 year old couple $2,356 
 (United of Omaha- Std)
Advantage: Premiums savings because client self insures for the short term.  Only for the catastrophic -LONG TERM- does he have access to the insurance benefit.


Note: Short-Fat design with access to more money earlier is best:  The savings gained for a LONG waiting period does not offset the exposure to the early cost of care. 

Long-Term Care Insurance can be complicated with many decisions required in designing a comprehensive policy.     

Insureds need to take the time to understand the features and definitions that distinguish  each companies coverage.

 "Long-term care insurance can allow loved ones to care ABOUT YOU …instead of having to care FOR YOU."


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