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Indiana Partnership
for Long-Term Care
This web page is not endorsed by the State of Indiana.

Currently We Do Not Have Indiana Partnership Policies Available


Why should you plan?

Because, at least 70 percent of people over age 65 will require some long-term care services at some point in their lives. And, contrary to what many people believe, Medicare and health insurance do not pay for the long-term care services that most people need.

Planning is essential for you to be able to get the care you might need.

With the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, the federal government sent a clear message to Americans — paying for long-term care is your responsibility.

The Act made it more difficult to qualify for Medicaid paid long-term care. It also expanded the Partnership Program.

A Partnership Program is a collaboration or “partnership” among a state government, the private insurance companies selling long-term care insurance in that state, and state residents who buy long-term care Partnership policies.

The purpose of the Indiana Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership program is to make the purchase of shorter term more comprehensive long-term care insurance meaningful by linking these special policies (called Partnership qualified policies) with Medicaid for those who continue to require care.

Partnership qualified policies must meet special requirements that can differ somewhat from state to state. Most states require Partnership policies to offer comprehensive benefits (cover institutional and home services), be Tax Qualified, provide certain specific consumer protections, and include state specific provisions for inflation protection.

Often the only difference between a partnership qualified policy and other long-term care insurance policies sold in a state is the amount and type of inflation protection required by the state.

If you already have a policy and do not know if it is Partnership read this:
Is my policy Partnership?

Income & Asset Protection

An Indiana Partnership for Long-Term Care qualified policy provides you, as the purchaser, with the right to apply for Medicaid under modified eligibility rules that include a special feature called an ‘asset disregard’.

This allows you to keep assets that would otherwise not be allowed if you need to apply, and qualify, for Medicaid in order to receive additional long-term care services. The amount of assets Medicaid will disregard is equal to the amount of the benefits you actually receive under your long term care Partnership qualified policy.

Since these policies must include inflation protection, the amount of the benefits you receive can be higher than the amount of insurance protection you originally purchased.

Years ago you could protect your assets by creating a trust, but today only an irrevocable trust would be exempt and it would still be subject to the 60-month "look back" period. To be exempt, assets must be transferred 60 months before you apply for Medicaid. (We won't know with 100% certainty what will happen 60 seconds from now let alone 60 months.)

Under a qualified partnership policy, personal assets in the amount of the total benefits paid are disregarded when Medicaid asset eligibility is calculated. For each dollar of benefits paid, one dollar of assets is not counted toward the eligibility limit. This means you get to keep those assets and don't have to spend them before qualifying for Medicaid.

With a Partnership policy it also means that the state will not seek to recover money spent for your care from your estate. Estate recovery means that the state can require repayment from your estate for any costs paid by Medicaid. Thirty states have "filial laws" that give the state the right to require your children to reimburse Medicaid for your expenses.



Unfunded Liability

Long-term care is one of the largest unfunded liabilities facing families and our government today. Recent legislation underscores the government’s support for the idea that private insurance must assume the lead in providing for Americans’ long-term care. Yet, many of the 78 million Baby Boomers who are fast heading into retirement have not planned for their future long-term care.

In addition, many retirees who once thought they could afford to self-insure long-term care expenses are facing the need to protect their shrinking assets in a down market making it much more difficult to self-insure these expenses.

Long-Term Care Partnership Policies

Indiana Partnership for Long-Term Care qualified policies are designed to preserve your independence, quality of life and protect assets. Partnership long-term care policies offer the same benefits and options as non-Partnership policies and cost the same as non-Partnership policies. Get a Quote.

Indiana Partnership for Long-Term Care policy benefits include:
• Indiana has either a Dollar-for-Dollar or Total Asset policy and each has a minimum benefit requirement, check with us for what this amount is for this year.
• choice of elimination period/deductible.
• comprehensive coverage including home, adult day care and facility coverage.
• benefit period (pool of money) .
• discounts for health, spouse.

One factor that distinguishes a partnership policy from a non-partnership policy is the mandatory age appropriate inflation protection. This automatically increases your benefits to keep up with the increased cost of care.

Indiana Partnership policies must include inflation protection.

Policy Underwriting

You must qualify medically for a Indiana Partnership for Long-Term Care policy just as you would for traditional long-term care insurance. The younger you are, the better the chance to qualify at favorable rates and lower premium. Can you health-qualify? Check out our list of uninsurable health conditions and medications.

 

Long Term Care is a family affair.

The majority of caregivers are family members.