Long-Term Care



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Long-Term CareTwo Arrows

Buying Long-Term Care
by Clark L. Balberg, CLU, ChFC
Contributing Editor to WealthEffect.com

 
 

Stick with quality
 
  Consider the impact of inflation  
  Who needs long-term care?  
 
1.

Buy from a company which is highly rated. You should check the ratings provided by independent rating agencies including A.M. Best, Standard & Poors, Moody's and Duff & Phelps.
 
 
2.

Don't overlook the impact of inflation. If you buy a policy without including a compounding-inflation rider, the true value of your benefits will be reduced. This is because inflation diminishes your purchasing power over time. In twenty years, for example, a 3½% inflation rate will cut your purchasing power in half!
 
 
3.

Long-term care is needed by anyone with assets to protect but not enough to readily afford the cost of care. Whether you're a 40-year old recovering from a stroke or an 88-year old with Parkinson's disease, you must cover the cost of home care or of a nursing home. Skilled-care providers are highly paid, and your major medical insurance or HMO will not pay for these expenses.
 
 
* To check insurance ratings online, go to…

Standard & Poor's: www.wealtheffect.com/mfp/mfp_e.asp

Moody's: www.moodys.com/moodys/cust/
search/advanced_search.asp?type=ratings

A.M. Best: www.ambest.com then choose "Ratings Search" in the "Ratings Information" column.

 
 
(Take note: you are only required to fill out the first three boxes to access the free online ratings; we also recommend, to maintain your privacy, that you uncheck the box at the bottom of that page which gives permission to share your information.)
 
 
WealthEffect WinnersTwo ArrowsBest Web SitesTwo Arrows
 
 
Long-Term Care
reviewed by David Hull for WealthEffect

 
  HIAA — Health Insurance Association of America
See Reviews and
Reader Comments
 
    The association site for health insurance agents and companies  

 
Elderweb

See Reviews and
Reader Comments
 
    Comprehensive site loaded with useful information for seniors. (Go to Finance and Law, and select long term care insurance.)  

 
Insurance News Network

See Reviews and
Reader Comments
 
    This is a consumer-information site with a broad base of insurance information Long-term care can be found by navigating to health (use the right side bar) — choose basics, then long-term care library  

 
Insuremarket

See Reviews and
Reader Comments
 
    Quicken's consumer information and sales site  

 
Long Term Care Information Page

See Reviews and
Reader Comments
 
    A comprehensive agent page covering the need for long-term care insurance which provides useful links  

 
Long Term Care Insurance Info Page

See Reviews and
Reader Comments
 
    See Long Term Care Information Page  

 
Third Age

See Reviews and
Reader Comments
 
    A senior information page which covers many areas of interest. Look in the money section, and choose long term care  

 
Long Term Care Insurance Resources and Information of Florida

See Reviews and
Reader Comments
 
    An agent web page that has some useful articles for the long-term care shopper  
 
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