As the U.S. population continues to age, the demand for
long-term healthcare is expected to rise steadily. Yet, it’s a topic many
prefer to avoid, and in some cases, neglect to plan for, despite its growing
importance.
While statistics vary, anywhere between 60% and 70% of us
will one day need assistance with long-term care, according to the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
What does long-term care include? How might long-term care
be described?
Costs may include assistance with daily activities such as
driving to appointments, bathing, meal preparation, dressing, and eating. Such
assistance can be provided in various settings, including assisted living
facilities, nursing homes, or at home.
Yet, as many of us are aware, there is a substantial cost to
paying for long-term care, and in many cases, we tend to underestimate these
costs.
The cost of long-term care
The costs can vary significantly and depend on the duration,
type of care required, and your location.
According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey Results for 2024,
- The
cost of a home health aide, which includes hands-on personal
assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating, rose 3%
to an annual median cost of $77,792.
- Homemaker
services, which include assistance with hands-off tasks such as
cooking, cleaning, and running errands, rose 10% to an annual median cost
of $75,504.
- The
annual national median cost for adult day care was
$26,000, up 5% from 2023.
- Assisted
living community costs jumped 10% to $70,800 per year, with
rising occupancy rates likely pressuring prices.
- The
annual median cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home rose
to $111,325, an increase of 7%; the cost of a private room in a
nursing home rose 9% to $127,750.
The survey, one of the most comprehensive studies of its
kind, reached out to more than 140,000 long-term care providers nationwide to
complete more than 15,000 surveys for nursing homes, assisted living
communities, adult day health facilities, and home care providers.
The numbers are daunting and underscore the importance of
proactive planning, especially since most traditional health insurance policies
and Medicare do not cover long-term care.
Who pays for long-term care?
Medicare and Medicaid
In general, Medicare (Parts A & B) does not pay for most long-term-care services or for
personal care services such as custodial care. Medicare is health insurance. It
covers the costs related to illnesses and injuries. To some extent, it also
covers prevention.
But there are limited exceptions.
Medicare Part A will help pay a portion of the costs for a
short stay (up to 100 days per benefit period) in a skilled nursing facility if
you meet the following conditions:
- You
were admitted to the hospital with an inpatient stay of three days or
more.
- You
need skilled care, such as physical therapy or skilled nursing services.
- The
nursing facility you will be admitted to is Medicare-certified.
- You
are admitted to the Medicare-certified nursing facility within 30 days of
your inpatient hospital stay.
Medicare may also assist with some long-term services if
they’re medically necessary to treat an illness or injury.
Medicaid, on the other hand, is the largest public payer for
long-term care. It covers nursing home care and some home and community-based
services for individuals who meet strict income and asset requirements.
Eligibility varies by state, and applicants often must “spend down” their
assets to qualify.
However, when a senior applies for long-term care Medicaid,
there is an asset limit. To be eligible for Medicaid, one cannot have assets
greater than the limit. Medicaid’s Look-Back Period is meant to discourage
Medicaid applicants from gifting assets, including selling them under fair
market value, to meet Medicaid’s asset limit, according to the American Council on Aging.
Generally speaking, the “look back” is 60 months, with two
exceptions: California and New York. In California, the look-back period is 30
months. By July of 2026, there will be no look-back period. California’s “look
back” only applies to Nursing Home Medicaid.
While New York has a 60-month “look back” for Nursing Home
Medicaid, there is currently no “look back” for Community Medicaid, the program
through which state residents receive long-term home and community-based
services. The state, however, plans to implement a 30-month look-back period
for this program sometime in 2025.
Explore insurance options
Long-term care insurance (LTCI) is designed to cover
services not paid for by Medicare or standard health insurance. Policies vary
but typically cover care in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult
day care centers, and at home.
However, LTCI can be expensive and may be difficult to
obtain, especially for those who have pre-existing conditions. Hybrid policies
that combine life insurance with LTC benefits are becoming more popular,
offering more flexibility and value.
Personal funds and family support
Many individuals rely on personal savings, pensions, and
investment income to cover the costs of care. Family members often provide
unpaid care, which, while cost-saving, can lead to emotional and financial
strain.
Other considerations
- Consider
a Health Savings Account (HSA) if you have a
high-deductible health plan. Contributions are tax-deductible, with a maximum of
$4,300 in 2025. At 55, you may contribute up to $5,300. Realized capital
gains, dividends, and interest are tax-free in an HSA, and withdrawals are
not taxed if used for qualified medical expenses, including long-term
care.
- You
may also tap into your home equity or take out a reverse mortgage.
- Do you
have excess cash from RMDs? Consider placing them in a taxable
brokerage account, which can be used if long-term care needs arise.
Financial planning and long-term care
Given the high costs and limited public support, financial
planning is essential. Experts recommend the following steps:
- Assess
your risk: Consider family health history, lifestyle, and age. Women
and single individuals are statistically more likely to need long-term
care.
- Consider
legal preparations: Establish powers of attorney, advance directives,
and wills to ensure your wishes are followed.
- Consult
us as your resource: We can integrate healthcare cost planning
into your retirement strategy and your goals.
Final thoughts
Paying for long-term healthcare requires proactive planning.
We want to emphasize that we are here to assist you in navigating life’s
important financial decisions.
A thoughtful strategy can help ensure you and your loved
ones receive the quality care you deserve, without unnecessary financial
stress.
If you’d like to discuss how this fits into your overall
financial plan, we are just a phone call or email away.
