Key Questions about Long Term Care Insurance and Home Care Coverage in Baltimore County
To help you understand your long term care insurance policy, BrightStar Care Baltimore City/County offers these key questions that you should know the answers to:
1. What is the elimination period of my policy (out-of-pocket expense)?
Is it calendar days or days of paid care? (How many hours/days are needed to complete the elimination period?
Does it need to be consecutive days or can there be a three month break with no services?
Does a hospital or rehab stay paid for by Medicare count for part of the elimination period?
If you stop care do you need to restart the elimination period? How many days? Does a hospitalization or rehab facility count?
If you are on Hospice is the elimination period waived?
2. What are the minimum number of ADL’S (activities of daily living) you must need assistance with to qualify to use your policy?
Does “dementia only” count if supervision is needed for safety? Are doctors’ orders or a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or dementia needed?
3. What is the process to activate the policy?
Does LTC insurance send their own nurse to do an assessment?
Do you need to have a contract/agreement with a homecare company to activate the policy?
4. What is the daily/weekly/monthly and lifetime maximum payout/coverage?
5. Is there an inflation rider? What is the new dollar amount?
6. Once the policy is activated does the premium stop? Does it continue during the elimination period and only stop when the insurance payment has begun? Does the premium continues?
7. What is the address for billing information and what is the insurance company’s preferred method of receiving notes and invoices? Do they require notes?
Have realistic expectations. Insurance companies will do what they can to avoid paying a claim. It is very common and expected for them to state that they did not receive you paperwork to activate the policy or the notes or invoices to trigger payment.
Are you interested in purchasing long term care insurance for yourself?
You can purchase this from a financial advisor or insurance agent but they may sell you the product that is from the company they represent and may not be your best option. We refer to Melissa Barnickel of Bay Group Insurance, who will consult with you regarding your needs – and then find the best product in the market to meet them.
Learn more about paying for home care - - CICK HERE
BrightStar Care of Baltimore City - County, MD proudly provides Home Health Care and support for Seniors, Adults, and Children, including 24 hour care, and support in independent and assisted living communities. We provide all levels of home care from companion services to skilled nursing and medical care, Medical Staffing, and In-Home Physical Therapy for pediatric, adult and geriatric patients. We provide companion and personal care for elders with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. We also provide home Pediatric Care and specialize in children with special needs and disabilities and support for new mothers. We have RNs that specialize in wound care and IV therapy and do IVIG therapy at home. We are a Home Care Provider for U.S. Department of Labor, Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation, and a DOL DEEOIC provider. We are in network with all long term care insurance companies and part of the Care First, Blue Cross Blue Shield network and their TCCI program . We partner with Medicare Home Health and Hospice companies providing Hospice care, 24 hour care, CNA, GNA, Caregiver, RN and LPN care. RN supervision is provided along with compassionate care, and compatibility guarantees. We are an ALS Society partner, Alzheimer Association member, specialize in Parkinson’s and neurological disorders, and provide care for developmentally disabled individuals with mental health and behavioral health diagnosis. Other services include medication management, transitional care, safe discharge and transportation from the hospital or rehab facility, Post Op care both short and long term, Pre Operation and preparation help and assistance, transportation and assistance with outpatient medical procedures and surgeries and client monitoring for out of town family members. Proudly serving Baltimore County and Baltimore City including: Towson, Lutherville Timonium, Pikesville, Owings Mills, Mt Washington, Catonsville, Parkville, Nottingham, Rosedale, Roland Park, and Dundalk in MD.
Call BrightStar Care at (443) 275-2796.