Plan for care.
Keep living in the picture.

The six activities of daily living are bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, continence, and transferring—such as moving between a bed and chair.

For federally tax-qualified care, the chronic-illness standard includes practitioner certification of needing substantial help with at least two ADLs for at least 90 days, or substantial supervision because of severe cognitive impairment. A prescribed plan of care and policy requirements also matter. This is not an automatic claim approval or a universal 90-day waiting period.

This is the waiting period before eligible benefits begin. Ask whether the contract counts calendar days or days receiving care, what must happen first, and who pays during that period.

The daily or monthly benefit limits payments over that interval; the benefit pool or period limits total available coverage. Inflation protection can increase benefits over time under its formula. It does not guarantee that every future care bill will be covered.

Reimbursement typically pays eligible documented expenses up to policy limits. Cash or indemnity designs may pay a stated amount after benefit conditions are met. Documentation and payment rules still apply.

Both can provide access to benefits while living, but qualifying conditions, payout calculations, charges, and permitted uses can differ. An accelerated death benefit generally reduces what remains for beneficiaries. Compare the actual rider—not just the phrase “living benefits.”

No. A qualifying Long-Term Care Partnership policy can offer asset-disregard protections under applicable rules, but you still must meet Medicaid eligibility requirements. Ask a qualified professional about your circumstances before making asset transfers or coverage changes.