Private insurance companies have developed a product that can be used to insure against long-term care expenses, including home care and custodial nursing home care. Long-term care insurance is available through a variety of a different insurance companies with a variety of different features, options and riders. It would be wise to select a company that has a solid financial condition.

A. Evaluating the Need for Insurance. When evaluating the wisdom of purchasing long-term care insurance, the following questions and factors should be considered:

1. The availability of personal resources to pay for nursing or home care compared to the yearly premium for long-term care insurance.

2. The daily benefit rate paid by the insurance company compared to the daily nursing home rate. The average nursing home cost in Hawaii is presently $230 per day.

3. Will the payment of premiums jeopardize your or your spouse's standard of living?

4. Your age and health status may determine whether or not long-term care insurance is even available.

5. Your potential eligibility for medicaid coverage.

6. Are there family members that can be relied upon should the need arise for long-term care?

7. Any pre-existing condition, restrictions?

8. The basic analysis is to compare the cost and difficulty of paying the premiums with the potential benefits and the necessity of receiving those benefits. According to a recent AARP recommendation, generally, only those with annual retirement incomes over $30,000 and assets of between $100,000 and $500,000 (not including their home) should consider a long-term care insurance policy.

B. Evaluating the Policy. When examining a long-term care insurance policy , the following provisions should be reviewed:

1. Guaranteed Renewability. The policy should be guaranteed renewable for life so that the insurer cannot cancel the policy, except for nonpayment of premiums.

2. Deductible Period. The deductible period provides a specific period of time before the insurance starts to pay. A shorter deductible period is preferable, but a longer period may reduce the premium.

3. Grace Period. The grace period allows the individual an additional period of time after the premium due date for the payment of that premium before the insurer may cancel the policy. This may vary generally from 7 to 31 days. It gives the policy-holder some protection against the consequences of forgetting to pay the premium on time.

4. Custodial Care Coverage. In addition to coverage for skilled and intermediate care, custodial care should be covered. Custodial care does not require a licensed medical professional. It is an essential element of any coverage.

5. Home Care Coverage. Does the policy provide long-term care in the individual's home, instead of in a residential or nursing facility. Some policies offer this coverage only as a rider for an extra charge.

6. Prehospitalization. Some policies require the individual to be in a hospital before receiving long-term care, in order for benefits to be paid. Many individuals do not go to long-term care facilities directly from hospitals, so this requirement can result in a denial of benefits at a crucial time.

7. Alzheimer's Coverage. A good policy will provide coverage in the event of Alzheimer's disease. This disease is generally described in policy language as "organically based mental conditions." If such coverage is not specifically mentioned, Alzheimer's is probably not included in the policy.

8. Inflation Protection. This feature provides for the anticipated rise in the cost of long-term care. This provision may substantially increase the premium.

9. Waiver of premium (in the event of a disability)

10. Premiums that stay level for life.

11. Consider having a maximum benefit period for one stay of at least 4 years.

1. Covers the sometimes devastating costs of long term care and thereby preserves the assets you may need later in life.

2. Permits you to be covered for nursing home expenses during the 36-month look-back period when giving away assets to qualify for Medicaid.

3. Helps you to preserve your independence.

4. Reduces the financial and emotional burdens on your family.

5. It is easier to budget the insurance premiums than it is to budget nursing home bills.

6. Allows you to choose where you want to stay rather than have the government choose for you. (Only about 12 percent of the nursing homes accept Medicaid, and they are not necessarily the best available).