Life insurance is one of those things that most of us need but none of us enjoy talking about. When it does come up in conversations, it’s mostly because someone is complaining about being sold something that is both expensive and complex. ...

Questions to Consider on Long-Term Care Coverage Long term care insurance market is in flux, here's what to consider before buying coverage The market for long-term care insurance grew even more foreboding for some consumers last year when b...

California's long-term care system -- some would call it a "non-system" -- is poised for change. How that change comes about and what the new system might look like will depend in large part on a race between two potential "game changers:" a new long-term insurance program in the national health care reform law and a huge demographic bubble of baby boomers hurtling toward old age.

Long Term Care Insurance Partnership Programs – Shielding your Assets from Medicaid Spend-down & Estate Recovery

Before you can qualify for government aid, Medicaid requires that you spend down your assets by paying for your long term care, until you are basically at poverty level. If you have a spouse/partner that depends upon your assets for a decent quality of life, it is wise to plan ahead to protect your estate for the sake of your loved one's comfort.

Many people try to give away their assets to family or trusts as soon as they know they will need long term care, but this isn't a smart strategy, nor is it as easy as it used to be. Depending upon the state, Medicaid's "look back period" can reach back as far as 5 years.

CHOOSING A LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE

There was a time in the not-too-distant past when choosing a long-term care insurance plan was simple–because there was only one option: a nursing-home-only plan modeled after Medicare LTC coverage. Today, you can choose your coverage and its terms from a plethora of options. But, with all of these choices, careful evaluation of LTC policies is more critical than ever.