LTC costs: Don't kid yourself

Long-term financial burden

A combination of economic and market factors is driving the increase in long-term care costs. As a result, these associated costs are being passed along to consumers. The average long-term care claim duration is about three years, according to Genworth’s claims experience. Assuming one would receive care in an assisted living facility, this cost would approach $130,000. In a private nursing home room, this cost would exceed $273,000. At a 3 percent annual growth rate, in 25 years, when many baby boomers could require long-term care services, costs for an average length stay in a private nursing are likely to be almost $1 million! This is a steep cost that most Americans cannot afford.

Although the costs on the high end of the spectrum for long-term care can be daunting, many consumers are looking for options that will help pay for a portion of those costs. Be sure to include these options when talking with your clients. By paying for, say, 80 percent of potential long-term care costs, the total premium often can be reduced significantly, making plan options more affordable.

In addition to what type of care your clients choose to receive, the cost of care and the rate at which costs increase year over year can vary dramatically depending on where your clients plan to receive care. For example, in Boston and its surrounding suburbs, the median annual cost for care in an assisted living facility is $69,960, significantly higher than the national median cost of $43,200. Costs in this market also are rising much faster than they are nationally. On the other hand, in Las Vegas, one can expect to pay $36,000 annually for similar services, below the national median.

The impact of this cost differential over a three-year period – the average duration of a long-term care claim – can be significant. In Boston, a three-year stay in an assisted living facility would exceed $209,880. In Las Vegas, the comparable cost would be just under $108,000. As such, long-term care planning must take into account these regional cost differences in order to be of value to clients.

It is well documented that most Americans do not have traditional pensions and many have saved far too little in their 401(k) plans or other savings vehicles. For most Americans, long-term care costs generally are not covered by Medicare or other government-funded programs. Given this backdrop, it is more critical than ever that Americans take the issue of long-term care seriously and develop a sound financial plan to address the potential costs.

See also: LTC policy advisory council forms

Helping customers prepare for the cost of care

However, long-term care planning is about more than just costs. It requires difficult family decisions and sacrifices. Planning today can help save consumers from facing a crisis tomorrow. It is important for customers to know that having the right talk, the right way, at the right time, can help ease the emotional, financial and legal pressures of planning for long-term care needs.

As a trusted financial planner, you can help your clients recognize the importance of sound planning and encourage them to take steps toward putting a plan in place. Here are some tips to address the impending social issues surrounding long-term care.

• Determine what’s important. Take time to consider your clients’ needs, educate them and encourage them to talk with family so they can decide on the most appropriate option for their long-term care needs. It’s important to let them know that there are two things that will never change when it comes to long-term care planning: The need will always be there and the cost of care will continue to rise.
• Plan. Once your clients have a better idea of what they want, how much it costs and the key issues, it’s important to encourage them to develop a basic plan. Clients should outline their objectives and continue to communicate with family members. Regardless of how clients will pay for care today or in the future, they should have a written plan. In addition, regardless of their net worth, your clients will want to know how to retain what it is they value most. Rather than be burdened with concern of what tomorrow may bring, it is important that people grab the bull by the horns and plan for the future long-term care costs.
• Stay educated. As the long-term care landscape continues to evolve and change, stay up-to-date on the options available and determine what works best for your client’s holistic retirement plan.
• Continue the conversation. Encourage your clients to look for natural opportunities to talk with family and friends about their plans. Let them know that they shouldn’t try to tackle too many issues at once as it may be easier to have a series of conversations over time.

Genworth’s Cost of Care Map can help you and your clients evaluate options to address the increasing cost of long-term care and put together a comprehensive long-term care plan. The map provides cost of care information for nearly 440 regions nationally, so that you and your clients are able to develop a plan tailored to the specific market in which they expect to receive care.

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