Long-term care insurance will help pay for care when you’re too frail to care for yourself.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says qualified long-term care benefits begin when you are unable to perform 2 of the 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADL) OR become cognitively impaired. 

Think of ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) as the first six things you do in the morning:

1. you don’t go to the bathroom when you’re no supposed to (continence),
2. you move from the bed to another place (transfer),
3. you go to the bathroom (toileting),
4. you bathe (bathing),
5. dress (dress yourself), and
6. eat (eating) 

Your doctor will determine if you’re unable to perform the Activities of Daily Living. The insurance company may review your doctor’s records. 

Long-term care insurance benefits are paid by one of two ways…

1. Reimbursement: These policies will reimburse you for actual expenses incurred. Typically, only licensed professionals are allowed to provide care. These policies are generally less expensive.
2. Indemnity: These policies will pay a given amount each day or month. You can do anything you want to with the money. These policies are typically more expensive.