Long-term care insurance small price to pay

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RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Active-duty Airmen, some reservists, appropriated-fund civilian employees, retirees and qualified family members can still apply for the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program.

The program can help federal employees defray the costs of in-home care, nursing-home care, or assisted-living facilities for people no longer able to perform normal daily activities because of chronic-health conditions.

"Long-term care insurance isn't just for old age -- nearly 40 percent of people needing long-term care are under age 65," said Janet Thomas, human resources specialist at the Air Force Personnel Center here. "Health insurance will cover hospitalization and medical care, but not necessarily long-term care. The Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program provides protection from the potentially high cost of long-term care."

The program is sponsored by the Office of Personnel Management and provides affordable group premiums and comprehensive benefits. It is the largest program in the nation, Ms. Thomas said.

The plans available are:

-- Facilities-Only Plan: This covers all levels of nursing home, assisted living facility and inpatient hospice care.

-- Comprehensive Plan: This covers everything the facilities-only plan covers, plus care provided at home by a nurse, home health aide, therapist, informal caregiver or other authorized provider. Costs of adult day care centers and home hospices are covered as well.

Those eligible for the program include:

-- Federal employees and annuitants.

-- Separated federal employees with title to a deferred annuity.

-- Active and retired servicemembers.

-- Active members of the Selected Reserve.

-- Retired "grey" reservists even if they are not receiving retirement pay.

-- Compensationers receiving compensation from the Department of Labor.

-- The current spouse of an eligible person.

-- Adult children of living eligible people.

-- Parents, parents-in-law and stepparents of living eligible people.

-- Surviving spouses receiving a survivor annuity.

Premiums are based on an applicant's age, so the sooner people apply, the smaller premium they will pay, Ms. Thomas said. Once enrolled, coverage will not be canceled as long as premiums are paid on time, and coverage cannot be canceled because of age or a change in health.

For more information, people can call (800) 582-3337 or TTY (800) 843-3557. Representatives are available weekdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT. People can also go to the program’s Web site online at www.ltcfeds.com. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service)