Long-term care insurance that protects your savings and your independence
Roughly 7 in 10 people over 65 will need long-term care, and Medicare pays nothing toward the custodial care most families need. The right policy protects your retirement savings, keeps choices about your care in your hands and eases the load on your family.
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What care costs in Washington today
Monthly rates from the 2024 Genworth Cost of Care Survey for Washington State. Care often begins around age 84, and costs have risen about 3% a year, so the price at the time you need care is likely to be higher. We build real projections around your age, health and goals.
Nursing home (private room)
$13,000+ per month for 24-hour skilled nursing and supervision.
Home health aide (44 hrs/wk)
$7,000+ per month for professional help with daily activities at home.
Assisted living facility
$6,500+ per month for housing, meals and personal care in a residential community.
Medicare won't cover this. A plan can.
Many people are surprised to learn that Medicare and health insurance don't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare covers only short-term skilled nursing after a hospital stay. Without planning, years of care can draw down the retirement savings you spent a lifetime building and shift the load onto your family.
Long-term care insurance protects your assets, preserves your independence and lets you choose where and how you're cared for.
Care wherever you need it
A good policy pays for care in the setting that fits. Most people prefer to stay home as long as possible.
Home care
Professional caregivers, nurses or aides help with daily activities in your own home.
Assisted living
Housing, meals, personal care and support services in a residential community.
Nursing home care
24-hour skilled nursing and supervision for complex medical needs.
Adult day care
Daytime supervision, activities and social engagement while family caregivers work.
Respite care
Short-term care that gives family caregivers a break while loved ones stay supported.
Memory care
Specialized, secure care for Alzheimer's, dementia and other memory impairments.
Three ways to fund long-term care
The right approach depends on your budget, your health and whether you want a benefit for your heirs if you never need care.
Traditional LTC insurance
A standalone policy built for long-term care, generally with the most comprehensive benefits and the lowest initial premium. Trade-off: premiums aren't guaranteed and can rise, and there is no death benefit if you never need care.
- Most coverage per premium dollar
- Flexible benefit amounts and periods
- Inflation protection available
Hybrid / linked-benefit
Combines life insurance or an annuity with long-term care benefits. If you need care, it pays for care; if you never do, your beneficiaries receive a death benefit. Trade-off: higher up-front cost, often funded with a lump sum or a set number of payments.
- Premiums are typically guaranteed
- Death benefit if LTC is never used
- Return-of-premium options available
Life insurance with an LTC rider
Adds a long-term care rider to a life policy so you can accelerate the death benefit to pay for care while living. Trade-off: money used for care reduces the death benefit your heirs receive.
- One policy serves two purposes
- Often simpler underwriting than standalone LTC
- Access the death benefit early for care
When should you buy?
The best time is while you're healthy enough to qualify and young enough to lock in lower premiums. Most people look seriously between ages 50 and 65.
50s: the ideal time to purchase
Best rates, the highest likelihood of qualifying and the longest benefit window. You lock in your health and pricing now.
60s: still good options
Higher premiums but still affordable. Health conditions may narrow choices, so it pays not to wait longer.
70+: limited availability
Fewer carriers, higher cost and stricter underwriting. Options may still exist, and we can help you explore them.
Guidance from a long-time planner
Michael Oskouian, MBA, ARM, CRM, CIC, LUTCF, co-founder of First Underwriters, has helped Washington families plan for the cost of care for more than three decades. As a broker, he compares traditional, hybrid and rider-based options across top-rated carriers to match coverage to your health, budget and goals, and supports you when it's time to claim.
"A long-term care plan isn't really about a policy. It's about protecting your independence and making sure your family never has to choose between caring for you and their own future."
— Michael Oskouian
Long-term care insurance FAQs
What triggers long-term care benefits?
Benefits typically begin when you can't perform at least 2 of the 6 Activities of Daily Living (bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring and continence) without help, or when you have a cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's. A licensed healthcare practitioner must certify the need for care.
Does Medicare cover long-term care?
No. Medicare covers only short-term skilled nursing following a hospital stay (up to 100 days, with limits). It does not pay for the long-term custodial care most people need, which is why long-term care insurance matters.
How much does long-term care insurance cost?
Premiums depend on your age, health, gender, benefit amount, benefit period and features. A healthy 55-year-old might pay roughly $150–$300 a month for a quality policy, and couples often receive discounts. We'll help you find coverage that fits your budget.
What's the difference between traditional and hybrid policies?
Traditional LTC gives the most coverage per dollar, but premiums can rise and you don't get money back if you never use it. Hybrid policies combine life insurance with LTC benefits: if you never need care, your beneficiaries receive a death benefit.
Can I be denied coverage?
Yes. Long-term care insurance requires medical underwriting. Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson's or early dementia can mean higher premiums or a decline, which is why applying while you're healthy is so important.
Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow
Tell us a little about you and we'll put together a personalized long-term care quote. No cost, no obligation.
- Traditional, hybrid and rider options compared side by side
- Quotes are always free
- We typically respond within one business day
Prefer to talk it through?
Call our Kirkland office and we'll walk through care costs, policy types and timing with you.
Coverage descriptions are general summaries for education. They are not legal, tax, financial, medical or coverage advice, a statement of coverage, a quote or a contract. Cost figures are general Washington-state averages from the 2024 Genworth Cost of Care Survey; your actual costs and future inflation will differ. Long-term care insurance requires medical underwriting, and benefits, eligibility and premiums are determined by the issuing insurer and the policy you choose. Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer.