Long-term care insurance still available

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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 is a benefit authorized by Congress to 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.

Most people believe they do not need long-term care insurance because they have health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, officials said. However, in most cases, only skilled medical services are covered and usually only for a limited time.

Health plans usually do not cover ongoing chronic care such as extended stays in assisted-living facilities or continued need for a home health aid. Disability income insurance does not pay for long-term care.

"When you need long-term care services, securing the best type and quality of care can seem daunting," said Kay Cole James, office of personnel management director at the Air Force Personnel Center here. "That's why the care coordination services provided by the federally sponsored (program) are so valuable."

Insurance program enrollees have access to care-coordination services at no additional charge, she said.

Enrollment is not tied to an open season, and employees may enroll at any time under one of two application processes: Full underwriting application, which most employees will use, or abbreviated underwriting application, which is limited to use by:

-- New spouses of current employees within 60 days of marriage.

-- Newly hired and rehired employees within 60 days of hiring.

-- Temporary employees converting to permanent appointments within 60 days of conversion or new qualifying appointment.

-- Employees returning from a nonpay status (including activated reservists) within 60 days of returning to duty, as long as they were in a nonpay status for more than three months of the initial open season held July1 through Dec. 31, 2002. If these employees do not enroll during the 60 day window, they can also apply through the full underwriting process.

For more information on the insurance program and how to enroll, visit www.ltcfeds.com/. Certified specialists are available to answer questions Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT, by calling (800) 582-3337 or TTY (800) 843-3557. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service)