Choose from the subcategories below to review the Frequently Asked Questions. Click on a question to expose the answer below.
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Choose from the subcategories below to review the Frequently Asked Questions. Click on a question to expose the answer below.
To return to the main FAQ page, just CLICK HERE.
You (and your eligible family members) can apply for coverage at any time. There are not traditional Open Seasons for FLTCIP like there are for FEHB.
The following people are eligible to apply for FLTCIP coverage:
Qualified relatives can apply (even if you do not):
No. Each person applies individually for FLTCIP coverage and they must qualify under their own health.
Use this form to apply for coverage under the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP).
You must use the full underwriting application to apply, if you fall into one of these categories:
Please note: The insurance carrier may request medical records from your primary care physician or health care practitioner. The carrier will advise you by letter if this request is necessary.
No. You must qualify (based on your health) for coverage.
Likely, yes. You must use the full underwriting application to apply, if you fall into one of these categories:
You can use the abbreviated underwriting application to apply, if you fall into one of these categories and apply within 60 days of becoming eligible:
Depending on your pre-existing condition, it is possible that it will disqualify you from getting FLTCIP coverage. Keep in mind that getting long-term care insurance is very different than getting health insurance.
No. Everyone must apply on their own health record. You are not permitted to apply for someone else.
The Daily Benefit Amount is the max dollar amount the LTC company will pay out each day once you are on claim. Under the FLTCIP, you will choose between $100 - $450 per day (in $50 increments).
The cost of care varies widely based on geography and the level of care that is needed. Carefully review various costs and locations in the FLTCIP Cost of Care Map.
The Benefit Period is the length of time the LTC company will pay out the Daily Benefit Amount once you are on claim.
For many people this simply feels like a guess. It is hard to know how long you may need this coverage (given that you are healthy when you apply). Since we don't know the answer to that question, perhaps a better way to look at this is to ask yourself the question, "How long do I want someone else to pay the bill before I start?" Remember, the longer the benefit period, the higher the premium for the coverage.
Yes. If the care you need costs less than your Daily Benefit Amount, then it will stretch out over a longer period of time. For instance, if you have a DBA of $100/day for 2 years, but the care you need only costs $50/day, it will last you for 4 years.
Adding inflation protection helps the value of your coverage keep pace with the rising costs of long term care services.
There are two approaches:
Automatic Compound Inflation Options
You choose the amount:
In essence, your Daily Benefit Amount automatically increases by 4% or 5%, compounded annually.
Under this option, your premium stays the same even when your benefits go up each year.
Future Purchase Option
You will receive an offer to voluntarily increase your benefits every two years to keep up with inflation with unlimited declines.
The amount of each increase offered is based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for that year.
There is no additional underwriting required each year you accept an increase in benefits.
Your added benefit will be priced based on your attained age, so your premium will rise based on the new coverage added.
The cost of care varies widely based on geography and the level of care that is needed. Carefully review various costs and locations in the FLTCIP Cost of Care Map.
No. The FLTCIP program does not require you (or your family members) to be enrolled for 5 years before you retire. It does not carry the same 5-year rule that other programs like FEHB and and FEGLI do in order to be eligible to keep it in retirement.
You are even permitted to enroll in FLTCIP in retirement.
It's hard to say, but because you must qualify for LTC insurance (based on your health), and the premiums are based on your age at purchase, it stands to reason to get this coverage in place as early in life as possible.
No. By having LTC insurance, you are able to better protect the assets you have acquired so they can be used for other purposes (income for your spouse, leave assets to your children, etc.). Essentially, by having LTC insurance, you're paying out of the LTC insurance company's pocket and not yours.
No. You (and your eligible family members) can apply for coverage at any time. There are not traditional Open Seasons for FLTCIP like there are for FEHB.
There is not an anticipated FLTCIP Open Season.
Yes. A former spouse is permitted to keep FLTCIP coverage even if they divorce.
Premiums are set with the expectation that they will be sufficient, but they are not guaranteed. The premium for your group (for example, those with the same plan design or set of benefits) may only increase if it is determined to be inadequate and approved by OPM.
Your premium may also increase if you voluntarily elect to increase your benefit (for example, with the Future Purchase Option).
No. Under the FLTCIP, there are no refunds paid if you never go on claim.