FROM THE FOUNDATION

Redefining the Safety Net

Should California establish a Basic Health Program for certain low-income residents? CHCF's Marian Mulkey captures a recent policy conversation in a Health Affairs blog.

Accountable Care in Action

A new post on the Health Affairs blog details how CalPERS kept costs down in Sacramento through a "virtual" ACO with insurers and providers.

Career Opportunity: Senior Program Officer

This position will play a major role in furthering the goals and objectives of the foundation's Better Chronic Disease Care program.

Long-Term Care

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

State Officials Seek To Educate Residents With Long-Term Care Website

State officials are urging Californians to visit a new website designed to educate people about buying long-term care plans to assist with the cost of health services they may need in the future, HealthyCal reports.

The five-month-old website, RUReadyCA.org, is managed by the California Partnership for Long-Term Care, a joint venture of the state Department of Health Care Services and several health plans that sell long-term care insurance.

According to HealthyCal, most adults do not consider purchasing long-term care insurance because of the cost or because they think they will not need coverage in the near future.

Brenda Bufford, program director at the partnership, said that it has proved challenging to educate state residents about the complexities of long-term care.

Website Details

The website features:

  • Descriptions and pricing for the different policies available;
  • Details on where the policies can be purchased; and
  • Calculators to estimate premiums and how much money individuals should save to prepare for long-term care expenses if they choose not to buy a policy (Sample, HealthyCal, 1/31).

Reader Comments:
  • 2
  • 02/02/2012
  • Barbara Hanson

The Partnership mandates 5% inflation and a minimum daily benefit. Clients may prefer fewer “protections” and opt for a non-Partnership policy at lesser cost w/ their own choice of benefits.
The CA Dept. of Insurance mandates that all individual LTCi policies sold today in CA allow use of an informal caregiver. Tammy may be referring to older, Medicare based LTCi plans or policies sold in other states. These are the ones we often see today, as those policyholders are now in their 80’s and going on claim.
An experienced independent agent specializing in LTC insurance can design a plan to fit the budget. With 60% of our skilled facility census on Medi-CAL, and the baby boomers aging, it is time to educate the public to all their options for funding quality care. With or without LTC insurance, people need to plan for the disabling conditions that will affect half or more of us one day.

  • 1
  • 02/01/2012
  • Tammy Pilisuk

There are so many details to consider. LTC Partnership plans have the advantadge of helping you preserve assets. However, the plans are considerably more expensive. There are tradeoffs. It's important to understand the eligibility for services and the exact type of services that will be reimbursed (e.g., formal home care agency vs. independent home helper). This can make a HUGE difference in home much services you can get for your money and what measure of disability you will have to meet before they give you anything. LTC insurance is great, but buyer beware!



Readers are invited to send feedback to: chl@chcf.org

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