I was able to read about LTC insurance from www.longtermcare.gov and it gave me a lot of in cite as to how the system works. From the website and through reading the assigned text book I learned that if you are already ailing then you may qualify for a higher premium or may not qualify at all. That is a sad thing to me. What if that person has nothing else to fall back on. I believe the idea behind this is that they will need to most care and may suck up all the resources from everyone else. I can somewhat see the point in this, but not entirely. Is our nation aware of the fact that you need to apply as early as possible for LTC insurance? I would think not. Otherwise more people would be doing it if they were already aware.
In Chapter 2 of the textbook, the author made it a point to say that the LTC system needs to do a better job of educating the community on how it works. I would completely agree with that. LTC is still being developed and the health care system is very complex so people need help understanding it. You cannot buy LTC insurance if you have the following: Parkinson's, AIDS, or Alzheimer's. The later one upsets me because my grandmother has Alzheimer's and she really does require a lot of care. Luckily my grandmother has planned well for her future and does not need any extra help such as LTC insurance. My concern is the families who have not planned so well and have an elderly relative with this condition. In my opinion Alzheimer's has to be one of the worst diseases you can get. It can really get ugly down the road and help is important.
There are a couple points I would like to point out. Once you are accepted for coverage under a LTC insurance policy you cannot be denied. Even if you develop one of the previous illnesses I mentioned you will still not be denied. That's wonderful! That supports the statement of getting the coverage at an early age instead of later in life. Dementia usually doesn't develop until you are older. AIDS (HIV) can be acquired at any age so that wouldn't really fall in the same category.
I also like how they have in place where some policies will help with any home equipment needed, transportation to appointments, and training of a family care giver so that they will know exactly what they are doing. I think these are great options to have available because I am sure the home equipment is costly. Families taking care of loved ones need to be able to save where ever possible. The health care system is not getting any cheaper.
