Planning
Someone always pays for care. The only question is whether it's you, your family, the government or an insurance company, and how much choice you keep.
Pay as you go from savings, investments or home equity.
People with very large estates who can absorb $300,000+ without hardship.
A long care event can drain a retirement plan and a spouse's security.
Covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing care after a qualifying 3-day hospital stay. In 2026 you pay $0 for days 1–20 and $217 a day for days 21–100.
Short-term rehab after a hospital stay.
Does not pay for ongoing custodial care, which is most long-term care.
Pays for long-term care once your income and assets are low enough under your state's rules.
People with limited assets.
You generally have to spend down savings first, a look-back period (60 months in most states) reviews past transfers, and facility choices can be limited.
Pay premiums for a pool of care benefits.
People who want the most benefit per premium dollar.
Premiums can rise, and they're gone if you never need care.
Fund a life insurance policy or annuity that pays for care, or leaves money to your family.
People with savings to protect who want guaranteed costs and no use-it-or-lose-it.
Higher upfront cost; money is committed long term.
Medicare amounts per CMS for 2026. Medicaid rules vary by state; this is general information, not Medicaid-planning advice.
Per dollar of benefit, traditional LTC insurance is usually the least expensive, but premiums can rise and are lost if you never need care. Asset-based coverage costs more upfront but keeps value either way. Self-funding costs nothing upfront but puts your savings at risk.
No. Health insurance and Medicare Supplement plans don't cover ongoing custodial care.
Some people use home equity, a reverse mortgage or the sale of the home to pay for care. Those options can work but may reduce what you leave to family and depend on the housing market when you need care.
Your next step
A free, no-pressure review. We'll compare asset-based long-term care options from top-rated carriers side by side, including what happens if you never need care.