Confused about long-term care insurance? Please watch this 12 minute educational video by Phyllis Shelton.
Thank you for stopping by my website created just for consumers who don’t have a local insurance professional to answer their questions about long-term care insurance. My commitment to you is to provide a simple explanation for whatever you ask me, and that’s why this site and my simplest book are both called The ABC’s of Long-Term Care Insurance. The subject of planning for long-term care has gotten way too complicated, and I’m here to help you sort through any confusion.
If you found me through my dear friends, Suze Orman or Terry Savage, then we share a connection already of knowing a truly great person with a huge heart who lives to help families go from just surviving the current economy into embracing The New Retirement. I’m thrilled to participate in that journey with Suze and Terry to help you and your family know just how important the step of planning for long-term care is. And let me be very upfront about where I am on this topic.
Planning for long-term care is not just a good idea – it’s essential for most Americans so that families can retain INDEPENDENCE and CHOICE when care is needed.
Is long-term care insurance right for everyone? No, but you owe it to yourself and your family to find out if it’s right for you. And now you have a willing navigator…my fabulous team of LTC insurance specialists stand ready and willing to help you with no obligation to buy anything. If you REALLY want to know more, order a copy of my book Protecting Your Family with Long-Term Care Insurance today!
P.S. If you are here because you saw my letter about helping people protect their retirement savings from a down market while finding a way to pay for long-term care regardless of what kind of health you are in today, you are also in the right place. Or, if you didn’t receive my letter but this thought appeals to you, send me a comment so I can get back to you on how to do that.
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I was referred to you by Suze Orman.
Thank you
Author
Hi Christine, I am so glad to hear from you! Will you please email me your full name and phone number? My email is phyllis@GotLTCi.com, and I’m really looking forward to helping you.
I saw your advice to Meredith Chen in November 2022 about Genworth Long Term policies. They recently sent an announcement that they are going to be asking for a 330% increase in premiums for policies that have a 5% inflation factor. They admit that they have to get state regulatory approval (My wife and I have LT policies with Genworth in CA) but even if they don’t get approval, they will keep submitting repeated requests until they get approval. My wife and I are in our mid-70’s and in good health. Our currently policies have a benefit of $500,000 each but our policies cost us $6,000 a year. If they get approval to more than triple, we will be paying $24,000 total or more for our annual policies. Beside this, they make reference to the C plus rating and hint that they may not be able to pay their obligations without their rates. I have also learned that they stopped writing new policies about 7 to 8 years ago. So, I worry that if I stick with Genworth, they may not be around in 15 years when my wife and I need them for long-term care needs. Besides the option to keep our level of lifetime benefits and see a potential 330% increase in premiums), they are offering two options: 1) stop paying premiums and receive $57,000 in lifetime benefits; or, option 2: stop paying premiums, receive $10,000 in cash and get only $28,000 in life-time benefits. My wife wants to take option 2 because she feels they are going to go bankrupt and leave us with nothing and she would rather take the $10,000 and keep our $24,000 and save it for our own retirement. We do have some savings and potentially saving $24,000 a year could add up in 15 years to be substantial to pay for some of our long term care. Any thoughts? Jorge Carrillo
Author
Hello Jorge, I apologize profusely for the late reply. I am usually notified when a comment comes in and for some reason, I wasn’t notified about your question. I am happy to help you. There are more options. If you can scan and email the letter you received from Genworth and set up a time with me, I can help you. My email is phyllis@GotLTCi.com. If you can’t email it, send me an email and let me know so I can send you my cell number. Then you can take a picture of each page and text them to me. My calendar link is https://calendly.com/phyllis-shelton
Again, I’m so sorry for the delayed reply.
Phyllis Shelton
May I ask what is your decision about the Genworth policy. I am in a similar predicament and wonder what the advice you were given and your final decision. My husband is recommending to take Option 2.
Thanks for your response.
Margie
Hello Phyllis,
My husband and I have a long term care policy with Genworth Financial. The current cost of my policy is just over $2000 per year. I am 75 years old in January. My current policy will pay a benefit of $6, 719.60 per month for four years. We expect the cost of my policy to go up and perhaps double in cost. Is this policy worth paying $4000 per year for? We have read that Genworth is now rated a C++ company. In your view do we need to change companies? Should we stay with Genworth and try to plan to pay increases in premiums? The latest notice from Genworth says I have a $17,840 paid up certificate benefit. Is this benefit portable? My husband has a LTC policy with Brighthouse insurance company that he is happy with and a small policy with Genworth. We are retired and live on fixed income and annuity payments and we have savings. We learned of you through Suze Orman. Thank you very much for your help.
Author
Hi Meredith, I am so glad you came to me. Your $2000 annual premium is SO REASONABLE. Think about this. If you have a claim today, your premium will stop and you have benefits of at least $322,540. I say at least because I’m assuming your policy has an inflation feature that increases the benefits each year. ONE MONTH of benefits is more than 3X your annual premium. You are so very, very fortunate to have this level of benefits for such a small premium. And yes, even at double the premium it is still a great deal! Don’t ever consider taking the $17,840 paid-up benefit. That’s a terrible deal for you.
Hi Phyllis,
I am a big Susan Ormand fan, I have listened to her for many years.,That being said I wasn’t sure if you actually sell insurance for long-term care or you just an advisor I wanted to find out if you could find a product it beats the one on paying for now for my husband he just turned 60.
Currently do have long-term care on my husband only had a policy for two years and it goes up like eight bucks every year already so I can’t even imagine what it’s gonna cost in 20 years years.
Also I have tried to get long-term care for myself unfortunately I was unable to get it I am 62 years old and I had weight-loss surgery five years ago I’m thinking at the time maybe I had just had the Weight loss surgery and maybe they were waiting to see the final outcome down the road anyhow I’d like to see you again if I qualify I made 62 email address is mandrews2u@yahoo.com
Author
All you have to do is go to this link on my website and complete the short questionnaire. That puts you in our queue to get help right away! https://www.gotltci.com/contact-us/
People should not put personal info (phone, email address, etc) on this site when submitting a question. This is a conflict which possibly could be resolved by Phyllis’ webmaster deleting the personal info part of the question?
Author
Good point. The questionnaire that people complete is 100% secure. We will watch for personal info just in the comments.
Hi Phyllis,
I am 59 years old, live in Cali and in excellent health, but my mom drilled it into me that I should have a LTC plan. I am leaning towards a LTC plan via a life ins policy where you pay the $150,000 up front, let it accrue with 5% inflation rider and depending on what I use, the remainder of the policy will reimburse to my only daughter.
My question is: With my good health and prospect of living perhaps to 110 (that has been told to be by my Drs), is this the best route to go (a Hybrid plan) vs the traditional pay as you go. I would like to have high end care, home care and not sure what is entailed to receive a $10,000 a month + payout. Aka: how much would I need to put forth upfront.
Currently, I’m told in Cali the max option is for 6 years total coverage on average for this type of hybrid police. Also, does this policy fall under the Partnership policy requirements re: Medicaid. Thank you in advance for responding.
Author
That is the best way to go if you can afford it. There is one unlimited policy in California. No policies today are qualified for the California Partnership I am so sad to say, but hybrid policies don’t qualify for the Partnership in any state. If you would like to know more, all you have to do is go to this link on my website and complete the short questionnaire. https://www.gotltci.com/contact-us/ You will hear from one of my amazing team members and have the option to book a time for a no-obligation consultation. While you are there, you will learn a lot by watching my 17-minute video on that page. Your daughter will be so glad you took care of this!
Hi Phyllis
About 3 years ago I worked with my financial adviser to research LTCI options. At the time I was caring for both my parents in-home (no LTCi) and I became very concerned about what will happen to me as I age since I am single/no children.
My adviser reached out to a national brokerage firm for quotes, but I was informed that my pre-existing condition, while controlled was uninsurable. My adviser then recommended looking at other options such as a life insurance with a long-term care rider or coverage benefit, but the search got sidetracked.
I just turned 60 last month and need to resume the search. Do all plans consider pre-existing conditions uninsurable? Would I qualify for the options mentioned by my financial adviser? If not are there any options for LTC or am I on my own?
Thank you!
Author
Hi Sharon – it is impossible to say without knowing what the condition is. There are new options since three years ago so it is well worth your time to search again.You are especially right to be concerned since you are single and no children…not that children always make the best caregivers 🙂 All you have to do is go to this link on my website and complete the short questionnaire. That puts you in our queue to get help from one of my amazing team so we can research it for you. https://www.gotltci.com/contact-us/ While you are there, you will learn a lot by watching my 17-minute video on that page.
Does any LTC policies cover any cost towards a “Country Club” Retirement Center?
Also, I may need a knee replacement down the road. Would a LTC policy
cover in-house rehabilitation…. the stay, food, PT for a period of time?
Thank you!
Author
Sandee, you are so in luck. Long-term care insurance policies do cover the “country club” assisted living facilities, and you can bet that’s what I’m aiming for! However, you have to satisfy one of the two benefit triggers for benefits to start. You have to either 1) be expected to need help with at least two daily living activities (bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, continence, eating) for at least 90 days OR 2) have a cognitive impairment severe enough that you can no longer stay alone. That should answer the 2nd part of your question. A knee replacement won’t require you to need help at least 90 days. That is considered short-term care. However (again), there are short-term care policies you can buy (depending on your state) that will pay for a couple of months of home care with no deductible. These policies have very few medical questions and are inexpensive. To review options, all you have to do is go to this link on my website and complete the short questionnaire. That puts you in our queue to get help. https://www.gotltci.com/contact-us/ While you are there, you will learn a lot by watching my 17-minute video on that page.
Hello,
I’m in my sixties. Have had a LTC policy for my husband and I for several years. It’s about $7000. a year for the two of us. We live in California and plan on staying here. I am not clear what the partnership with the state is. Can you explain that? Is an existing policy eligible?
Author
A California Partnership policy means that if you run out of insurance benefits and still need care, you can turn to MediCal for help and keep your assets equal to the benefits paid out. Without a Partnership policy, the most you can keep this year is about $130,000. Your policy will be clearly marked if it is a California Partnership policy Jack. You can always call the insurance company to find out as well. If it is not, you can’t make it become one. The main thing is you and your husband have these valuable policies – great planning!
I am a nurse care manager that is 36, spouse 35. When would you recommend beginning a LTC policy?
Author
Now is not too early Julia. Anyone can be hit by a drunk driver or have a stroke at an early age. The earlier you start, the more likely you are to qualify for a preferred health discount and the more benefits you will have as you approach the average age for a claim. Please complete the short questionnaire for you and your husband on my website and we will be glad to give you some options. No obligation of course. https://www.gotltci.com/contact-us/
Does any part of Medicare cover long term care?
Author
Medicare covers short-term rehabilitative care up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility after a hospital stay. If you have a stroke or accident, for example, you go to the hospital. If you are unable to go home, you are transferred to a rehabiltation center, which is really a skilled nursing facility in the eyes of Medicare. It is possible to stay there for about three months, although most people don’t. Typically they go home and are approved for a few WEEKS of home care. Home care consists of one-hour visits to give you a bath or administer physical therapy. After that three month window, you are on your own. If you still need care, you pay out of your pocket, you use some type of long-term care insurance or you spend most of your money and go on Medicaid which limits your choices for the type of care you can receive. If you want to explore these options with no obligation for yourself or a family member, please click this link and reserve a time with us. https://www.gotltci.com/contact-us/
Is it advisable to open a Roth IRA to cover any LTC costs rather than LTC insurance?
Author
Absolutely not Allie. That would be self-insuring. Why do that when you can get $10 with insurance for every $1.00 you put in? That’s called leverage on your money. Your Roth IRA is part of your retirement plan so you can have tax-free retirement savings to live on. LTC insurance is to make sure you don’t run out of retirement savings to live on. Please book a no-obligation consultation with us to learn the best plan for you. https://www.gotltci.com/contact-us/
Hi Phyllis: my name is Susan. I was listening to Suze Orman’s new book and she talked about you! I have a question regarding LTC. I hope I did the right thing.I am 66 years old before I turned 65 I purchased a LTC policy from where I have my home and car insurance. It is called Erie insurance they started selling LTC just recently. The policy is for $4,ooo a month and it has a life insurance policy for $100,000. My payment a month for this policy is $274.00. I hope I did ok with this and if not can you tranfer to another company or do you have to start all over again? Thank you so much for caring and doing what you do!! Susan
Author
That is just accelerating the death benefit Susan. The $4000 is below current cost of care and will not grow with inflation. You can do much better and 66 is too young not to plan for inflation. I will be glad to help you. Please book a time with me https://calendly.com/phyllis-shelton
Hello Phyllis, I am a 62 year old (healthy, non-smoking) woman. Any recommendations for getting LTCI at my age?
Thank you.
Author
62 is YOUNG Mary Kay! Options abound! The questionnaire on my “Contact Us” page will get us started. I’m looking forward to visiting with you and making some recommendations that fit your situation.
I am 54 and my husband is active duty servicemember. I would probably be eligible for the federal long term care insurance. Is there any benefit to using the federal program?
Author
Yes Martha you and your husband are eligible for the Federal LTC insurance program. You should do that. The premiums are more affordable and the insurance company behind it is John Hancock. Be sure and buy the inflation – 5% compound is best and is affordable on the Federal program.
My husband and I shopped for LCI through our insurance broker last year who recommended a Single Premium Current Interest Whole Life Insurance with Long-Term Care Benefits through The State Life Insurance Co. As I look through the policy today, I can see it doesn’t have an insurance option. It has a flat monthly benefit of $9000 for lifetime benefits. I have family who lived well into their 90’s and lived in assisted living for 15+ years. It comes with a continuation of benefits rider. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts…
Author
Heather I believe you meant to say there is no inflation on the benefit and you are right to be very concerned abuot that! Lifetime benefits are fantastic but you have to make sure the benefit is as meaningful in the future as it is today. The first part of the State Life policy advances the death benefit to pay a claim. Your broker was right to bump up the monthly benefit above current cost as that part doesn’t usually have inflation coverage. In other words, you are self-insuring the difference between the cost of care when you have a claim and the $9000 monthly benefit. Hopefully he used a 3% acceleration factor so that time period only lasts 33 months instead of a 2% factor which would make it last 50 month. The lifetime (unlimited) continuation of benefits past the death benefit should have an inflation rider attached to it of 3-5%. If it does not, you need to ask your broker to add it. If you need my help further, please feel free to reserve a time with me: Phyllis Shelton’s calendar
My partner and I are looking at buying life ins. Policy for $150k With a long term care component through One America Asset Care, the joint policy we are looking at is for monthly payout of 4500.each. We are looking at a 20 year payout with a monthly rate of $534.00 with guaranteed no increases. Do you have ny experience with this company? If so, any pitfalls or questions we need to ask the sales rep. Note I am 63 and my partner is 61 with no health issues and are non smokers.
Thank you for your time.
DeeDee
Author
Yes, OneAmerica is a fine company! Be sure to plan for inflation. I recommend doing that by looking at the cost of a really nice assisted living facility today and projecting that cost at 5% compound. I do that because most people will never be in a nursing home, and I know that will pay a lot of home care. I don’t know where you live, but in most parts of the country, you can use $5000 a month as today’s cost. This is higher than what you see on cost of care surveys as the surveys are showing the median cost, and I add $1500 to that cost to get the cost of a nice place that you would want to consider. $5000 in 20 years will be about $13,200 a month. So if your benefit is still $4500 a month in 20 years, are you comfortable making up the difference of $8700 a month for several years? And of course the cost of care will continue to climb each year. Please discuss inflation with your agent.
Hello Phyllis,
I enjoyed watching your video which made me decide to specialize in selling LTC. I am a licensed agent residing outside Detroit, MI.
Do you work with insurance agents selling the LTC products? Best regards,
Author
Yes! I am happy to help agents who are serious about helping families with the essential need for LTC planning and really, longevity care planning. I just have to be sure you and I share philosophies on how to do it. Please feel free to call me at 800-582-8425 and we can discuss a strategic alliance.