LTC Claims
Filing LTCI Claims Forms:
When it comes to your loved one, you want to make sure you have the best care plan. But, do you have a long-term care insurance policy that you’ve been paying premiums on for years? If you do, the statistics state that you are misguided, because it is estimated that 80% of the population will need some type of long-term care before they pass away. So, no matter if it’s for care in a nursing home, assisted living community, or if it’s in your loved one’s home with a caregiver. Your chances are doubled that you will need to activate that policy. Keep reading to see easy steps to ensure that you will get the coverage you’ve paid throughout the years.
Step 1: Know what your policy covers/pays for:
It’s important to know what your policy covers and pays for. Don’t assume that your insurance company is your best resource to do this. It is common for an individual to have a policy for ten or more years before they use it. But, by that time, many of the policyholders have forgotten what their policy covers. So, it’s important to get familiar with your policy, before starting the claim process. But, if you don’t have a copy of the policy, make sure to call and get a copy. Remember, this could take a week or longer, but it’s worth it. In addition, you may also want to have a third party help you under your policy better.
Also, your insurance agency, or financial adviser who sold the policy to you might also be a good first step. But, if you can’t get into contact with them, you can also try an elder care attorney, or a senior care provider. It is a good idea to also involve family members. They may able to assist in understanding the policy, and give good advice or support as you go through this process.
Step 2: Ask Questions Before You Start the Claim Process
Remember, it’s okay to call your insurance company to get your policy information before you file a claim. But, filing a claim without knowing what is in your policy, and how it works is not good. So, once you know the details of your policy and how it works, you have a better chance of getting the claim approved, and getting reimbursed for your care needs.
Step 3: Choose the right care provider
Another element you want to take into consideration is to choose the right care provider that is familiar with long-term care insurance, and knows how to bill the policy so you get paid quickly and in full. But, many nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and home heath companies will provide caregivers or senior care provider don’t know how to bill long-term care insurance companies. Because of this, most of these providers have their billing offices who specialize in billing Medicare, Medicaid, and private duty/pay services. So, if a provider does not have experience, and is not willing to provide needed documentation you may have difficulty getting reimbursed.
Step 4: Monitor and track your policy limits:
Lastly, make sure to continue to monitor and track what your policy limits are, and find a provider who can assist you in tracking your limits. Next, as soon as your policy is approved, and you get reimbursed, it is important to do annual updates with your insurance company or provider. This way, it can help determine how much of your benefit was utilized, and how much of your benefit still remains. Many policies have a finite amount of benefits. So, it’s important to keep track of what is going on, and how to strategize with family members regularly to assure you are using and maximizing the benefits.
Cost of LTC:
Many statics state that over 70% of individuals the age of 65 and over will at some point in their lifetime, will need long term care. Long-term care affects people in a plethora of ways. For example, their peace of mind, independence, careers, and overall financial stability. For example, Glenworth’s cost of care survey can help individuals evaluate their options. Glenworth has done a fantastic job with surveying long term care costs around the United States that helps individuals understand and plan for the potential cost of long-term care.
LTCI Claim Forms:
When you are ready to go through the claim process, below is a library with up-to-date long-term care insurance claim forms from popular long-term care insurance carriers. By having the most current long-term care insurance claim forms is a vital part of correctly filing your long- term care insurance claim. Below you will find a list of links below to download the claim forms for your carrier.
List of claim forms: (need to ask Andrea for links to these forms)
Ex: Allianz, Bankers life, CNA, Conseco, Glenworth Financial, John Hancock, Lincoln Financial Group, MetLife, Mutual of Omaha, New York Life, Northwestern Mutual, Penn Treaty, Prudential, SHIP, UNUM, Washington National, Thrivent, TransAmerica, MetLife/Brighthouse