According to the 2013 National Long-Term Care Insurance Price Index released today by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance prices for long-term care insurance policies are higher as a result of increasing care costs and significantly lower interest rates that factor heavily into policy prices.   In 2012, the organization noted identical coverage cost $1,720 annually.

“Persistent low interest rates and yields on fixed income investments continue to push costs for various insurance products higher,” explains Jesse Slome, AALTCI’s executive director. “Long term care insurance policy sales are up as consumers recognize the importance of planning and show greater acceptance of policy options that offer greater affordability.”

The Association analyzed costs for 12 leading insurers for single individuals and couples between ages 55 and 65.   Rates varied quite significantly for virtually identical policy benefits Slome reported.   “For a 55-year-old single policy applicant the highest priced policy cost 87 percent more than the comparable lowest priced policy,” Slome notes.  “For a couple both age 60, there was a 92 percent difference and no single insurance company always had the lowest price.”

Slome advocates a “Good, Better, Best Approach” to long term care insurance protection that offers greater flexibility and affordability.  “There is no one-size-fits-all policy choice that suits everyone,” Slome advises.   “Some protection is always better than none and coverage that does not include a costly inflation growth option is an affordable option,” Slome says.   According to the Association study, a couple where both spouses are age 60 will pay a total of $1,816 annually for $162,000 of coverage for each person.  “A good long-term care insurance option takes into account the future availability of savings, Social Security benefits and investment retirement income to supplement insurance coverage,” Slome explains.  “Increasing benefits are not an option that everyone today needs or wants to pay for.”

For the first time, the Association’s Price Index examined rates from insurers offering a Future Purchase Option (FPO) that allows the applicant to lock in their health insurability and add to their coverage periodically.  “A better approach is selecting a starting point for benefits that can be added to later where underwriting won’t get in the way,” Slome advises.  “The FPO option adds about five percent to the cost but offers enormous value in terms of future flexibility.”   Not all insurers offer this option, he shares, and currently and the Association found a 40 percent price differential between the lowest and highest priced policies with this feature.

Historically, most long-term care insurance policies purchased by individuals have included the added option that increased benefits to keep pace with growing care costs.   “Five percent was established as the norm in the 1990s when double-digit inflation was a recent memory but much has changed over 20 years,” Slome explains.  “Today, a three percent yearly increase in benefits is considered the best option for those willing to pay the higher cost.”  A couple both age 60 will pay $3,725 yearly for coverage that grows to $329,000 for each when they reach age 85.  Comparable coverage cost $3,381 according to AALTCI’s 2012 Price Index, a 10 percent increase.

“The Good, Better, Best approach to long term care insurance planning makes enormous sense today,” Slome concludes.  “The timeworn one-and-done approach to long-term care insurance planning worked when buyers were in their late 60s and early 70s,” Slome concludes.  “With typical LTC insurance buyers now in their mid-50s, flexibility and the ability to change as personal and economic circumstances change is not just desired, it’s significantly more affordable.”

“There’s never been more interest in long-term care insurance as millions recognize the costs associated with living a long life,” states Larry Moore, Director of Marketing for American Independent Marketing, a leading national marketer that assisted the Association in compiling the Price Index information.   “With more options and ways to make protection affordable available today, long-term care insurance can be far more attractive than many people think.”

The complete 2013 Price Index will be published in the Association’s 2013 Long-Term Care Insurance Sourcebook.  For more information, visit the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance’s website at www.aaltci.org or call (818) 597-3227

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“The long-term care insurance industry paid out $3.5 billion in benefits to individuals last year,” said Jesse Slome, Executive Director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. The AALTCI compiled data from over 60 long-term care insurers who represent 98 percent of all policies currently in force.

“The risk of needing long-term care is higher than the risk of a serious car accident or house fire, but few people are aware of how many individuals and families already benefit from having purchased long-term care insurance,” Slome notes. “Some 400,000 new policies were issued last year alone. As more individuals become aware of, and understand the importance of, planning for long-term care needs, the number of individuals and families deriving benefit from this coverage will only increase.”

The Association’s study of claims paid to individuals revealed meaningful information for those considering a long-term care plan. According to the study, 43.0 percent of claims paid in 2007 were attributed to home care. Nearly one-third (32.9%) of claims were for assisted living and 24.1 percent covered nursing home care.

“Most people associate long-term care insurance with nursing home care, but quite the opposite is true,” explains Slome. “The vast majority of benefits paid today cover care at home or in an assisted living community.” Over 97 percent of long-term care insurance policies sold provide some form of home care benefit (86% did in 2000 and 67% in 1995).

The Association study found that most individuals receiving benefits from their long-term care insurance policies are older. Nearly a third (32.3%) of new claims in 2007 began for individuals between 70 and 79, according to the Association findings. Over half (55.2%) began for those age 80 or over but 11.5 percent were for those between 50 and 69. The youngest individual on claim (a group insured) was 23.

Reporters and other media who would like additional information or to arrange an interview with Jesse Slome, please call the Association offices at (818) 597-3227

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