“Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cover Assisted Living?,” by David Levine, U.S. News & World Report

“About 1 in 6 assisted living residents relies on Medicaid to cover their costs, many of whom must spend down their personal assets first to qualify for Medicaid coverage, she adds. That’s where long-term care insurance comes in. Most LTC insurance policies cover expenses at an accredited assisted living facility. ‘Everything is policy-dependent, but most assisted living facilities are private pay and can be reimbursed by LTC,’ Dennis says.”

 

LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform):

More and more assisted living facilities accept Medicaid’s below-cost reimbursements because anything is better than an empty bed. But from the resident’s point of view, being able to pay privately at the full market rate commands access to the best facilities. That’s where LTCI makes a big difference.