Did you know that 70 percent¹ of Americans older than age 65 will need long term care at some point in their lives? This means personal care and other related services provided on an extended basis to people who need help with everyday activities or supervision due to a severe cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Because long term care is not typically covered by health or other types of traditional insurance, it’s most often provided at home by adult children, other family members, and friends. Caregiving can be stressful, and often takes a toll on a caregiver’s health and well-being.

The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) provides insurance coverage that reimburses for long term care in places like a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or at home. Purchasing coverage under the FLTCIP may help to protect your savings and assets as well as remain independent in the event you ever need long term care.

Build a FLTCIP plan

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to long term care insurance, and it’s no secret that planning for your future care can be overwhelming. The FLTCIP’s Guided Planner was designed to simplify the process of building a FLTCIP plan that’s right for you. When choosing a plan, consider the role your family may play in providing your care, the cost of care where you live or plan to retire, and how your coverage may contribute to your broader financial goals. The Guided Planner will guide you through these key considerations:

· Cost of care: Compare the national average cost of long term care with other locations in the United States. You can choose where you live, or plan to retire.

· Care options: Learn more about different care options, such as home care, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, as well as the associated costs.

· Inflation protection: Understand the impact of inflation on the cost of care over time and see examples of how our inflation protection options can help.

The Guided Planner will help you build a plan based on three benefit choices. These, along with your age, will help you determine your coverage and premium:

· daily benefit amount

· benefit period

· inflation protection

To begin your journey, visit LTCFEDS.com/employees and build a plan that’s right for you.

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The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program is sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, insured by John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company, under a group long term care insurance policy, and administered by Long Term Care Partners, LLC.

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Welcome to LongTermCare.gov,” https://acl.gov/ltc (accessed March 2021).

Long term care is personal care and other related services provided on an extended basis to people who need help with specific everyday activities (called activities of daily living) or who need supervision due to a severe cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The need for long term care can strike at any time in life due to chronic illness, injury, disability, or the aging process. What’s more, long term care can be expensive, and is generally not covered by traditional health insurance plans or Medicare.

As part of your federal benefits, you and your qualified relatives are eligible to apply for long term care insurance coverage under the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP). Even if you don’t apply, consider how a spouse, parent, or other family member may benefit from this important coverage.

Coverage under the FLTCIP

The FLTCIP is designed to reimburse for qualified long term care services and can lessen or eliminate an individual’s reliance on a loved one to provide hands-on care. As you assess the FLTCIP’s value, consider these important benefits:

• The FLTCIP offers coverage in a variety of settings – at home or in a facility, such as an assisted living facility, an adult daycare, or a nursing center – and your choice of caregiver.
• If home care if your preference, the stay-at-home benefits includes a range of services that support care in your home, helping you maintain your quality of life in familiar surroundings.
• Informal care provided by friends and family members, as long as they do not live in your home at the time you become eligible for benefits. (Note: Benefits for care provided by family members is limited to 500 days.)
• The program’s care coordination services offer enrollees and their qualified relative information about long term care resources, such as local care providers and relevant community programs.

Talk candidly with your family members and tell them about the FLTCIP. Starting the conversation prior to needing care can help you prepare for the unexpected. Visit LTCFEDS.com/protectmyfamily to learn more about the benefits of applying for the FLTCIP.

For personalized assistance, call 1-800-LTC-FEDS (1-800-582-3337) TTY 1-800-843-3557 to speak with a program consultant. They are available to answer any questions you may have and can walk you step-by-step through the plan design and application process.