I have older LTC policies that I took out in 1993 and '95. Assisted living wasnt a thing then like it is today. No one had even heard of custodial care at the time. My LTC claim forms require 2 ADLs needing help, but if I need full time help with 2 ADLs they don't accept you in assisted living. If you progress to that level of care needed, you will be asked to leave as they are not licensed for that. So, it's a catch 22 for me. Any ideas?
1. contact the provider/insurance company and ask what the criteria is. And ask as many questions as you can.
2. Not all AL facilities are the same and what one requires another may not. So interview several facilities and determine from that what the best option might be.
3. You might even want to ask if your LTC insurance will cover In Home Care.
Some may have a policy that as a person declines they will allow you to remain a resident if you are on Hospice. this might be another thing to ask about.
Many AL facilities can no longer use "equipment" to transfer a person. Once a person requires equipment to allow safe transfer for both resident and staff they may require transfer to Skilled Nursing. (this may depend on State Law.)
I am going to share what I understand about custodial care insurance coverage: It does cost less to buy into care insurance in earlier years when healthier or more into the later years when not so healthy.
There's just one issue buying into custodial care or LTC care insurance years before using it: the businesses want only money for their profits. And, many facilities may go out of business or merge with other facility names. Could also be that many policies bought were never used because the policyholder died before they could use it. That's money down the drain.
These policy companies are meant primarily for one thing: to protect assets for inheritance. Policies are expensive, and not everyone interested is eligible to get one. It takes at least $250,000 in assets for one to afford the insurance coverage. There is care at home or a facility to sign up for, also inflation protection at extra costs at very complicated choices, indeed.
Yes, this is a tough, frustrating situation. These LTC policies get complicated. Have you tried contacting your policy? Costs so much to have one. No one is available to anwser the phone any more, but have you tried online chat service with your provider? I also think go with our other readers' ideas.
(ZippyZee said not t yell at us because you typed your qustion in all caps which is a no-no for a lot of people in communicating online.)
Check with the ALs you are interested in. That's why people move to Assisted Living, they need assistance! You don't get kicked out for needing help, you just get charged more.
I recommend having your policy reviewed by an insurance broker that can explain what coverage you actually have and how it kicks in.
Again, I'm sorry. I'll try to do better.