The Push for Long Term Care Alternatives..

As the nation prepares for the retirement of the post-World War II baby boomer generation, we must consider revamping how we provide and pay for long-term care. Government should reinforce services that allow people to stay in their own homes and communities.

Americans are an independent bunch, and we know they are going to try to do it on their own, and we do not have a problem at all in this country in agreeing to tax for programs to support those people in need.

Delaying the onset of costly, long-term care — whether through promoting physical activity and healthy eating, redesigning communities for senior needs or developing new diversions from care — is expected to save untold millions of dollars.

If people don’t need access to Medicaid, it’s cheaper for state and federal governments in the long run, they get the services they need, and they don’t get their estates taken away.

Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, does not pay for long-term care.

Medicaid, the federal-state program of health insurance for the poor, does pay — but only when people “spend down” assets other than their homes. Governments can recover Medicaid costs from people’s estates after they die.

One is a proposal to tax soft drinks to raise money for a variety of public-health efforts.

Another is a proposal, spurred by a recent federal law, is to encourage people to buy long-term care insurance. If a policyholder uses up the maximum benefit (typically $250,000) and then requires Medicaid coverage for nursing-home or other care, assets up to that maximum benefit are exempt from Medicaid asset recovery by government.

Get free comparison quotes for long term care insurance through the Buyer’s Advocate Alliance today.

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