See what care could really cost you.
Long-term care inflates faster than almost everything else. Pick a type of care, say when you might need it, and see the projected annual and total cost in future dollars.
Your plan
What this means
How the annual cost climbs
The numbers at a glance
Projected annual cost by when care starts
The same care today, priced at your inflation rate for different waiting periods before care begins.
| Care starts in | Future annual cost | Total for full duration | Increase vs today |
|---|
Long-term care, explained
LTC Cost Reality
2024 median costs: Nursing home semi-private $95k/year, private $107k/year. Assisted living $54k. Home health aide $63k. In high-cost areas (NYC, SF), 50-100% more.
LTC Inflation
Historical 4-5% annually, faster than CPI. Driven by labor costs. 25-year projection at 4%: $95k → $253k/year. 5 years of care = $1.27M total.
How Most People Pay
50% out of pocket / spend down to Medicaid. 30% via insurance. 20% Medicaid from start. Medicare does NOT cover long-term custodial care, only skilled nursing post-hospital.
LTC Insurance vs Self-Insure
LTC insurance: $2-5k/year premium, 20+ years before claim. Self-insure: need ~$500k+ liquid assets dedicated. Hybrid policies (LTC + life insurance) common modern approach.
Common questions
Does Medicare cover nursing home?
No, only short-term skilled nursing after hospitalization (up to 100 days). Long-term custodial care not covered.
When should I buy LTC insurance?
Optimal age 55-65. Younger = decades of premium. Older = harder to qualify, higher rates.
What's the typical claim?
Average stay 2.5 years. 20% of claims exceed 5 years. Plan for 3-5 years coverage.
Can I qualify for Medicaid?
Income/asset thresholds vary by state. Usually <$2,000 in assets (excluding home up to limit). Medicaid spend-down is common reality.
Hybrid LTC insurance?
Life insurance with LTC rider. If you don't use LTC, family gets death benefit. More expensive premium but no 'use it or lose it.'
Estimates for planning only. Real long-term care costs vary widely by region, care setting, level of need and how long care is required. Inflation is not guaranteed and future rates may run higher or lower. Verify local prices before you plan.