The Lowdown on Short-Term Care

Think short-term care might not be for you? You may want to think again. Short-term care insurance can be a viable, more affordable alternative to traditional long-term care plans and can help cover expenses should you find yourself in a situation when you require care from either a nursing facility or even home health care. This coverage can be a valuable supplement to your current health insurance plan if you experience an illness or injury that prevents you from carrying out two or more of Activities of Daily Living. The SIX ADLs are defined as:

• Transferring—otherwise known as functional mobility, which includes the ability to walk and get in and out of bed and chairs
• Dressing—the ability to select appropriate clothing and dress oneself after use
• Toileting—getting to and from the toilet, sitting down and standing back up, and cleaning oneself after use
• Eating—the ability to feed oneself, not including the preparation of food
• Continence—the ability, both physical and mental, to use the restroom
• Bathing—the ability to wash oneself without assistance and get in and out of a tub or shower

The Benefits of Short-Term Care

Short-term care insurance can provide benefits for up to 360 days and may aid in covering costs for nursing facility stays and, in some cases, licensed home health care. Short-term care insurance is also ideal as a supplement that can be used during a long-term care policy’s waiting period.  And, unlike some long-term care policies, prior hospitalization is not required to be eligible for benefits.

You may not think you’ll ever need short-term care insurance, but the reality is that illnesses and injuries can happen to anyone at any time and at any age. It’s never too early to have a plan in place to address these unexpected events.

For individuals under the age of 65, who aren’t yet eligible for coverage under Original Medicare, a short-term care policy could prove valuable in the event of an illness or injury that requires care in a nursing facility or from a licensed home health care agency. Older individuals may find that adding short-term care coverage to their overall wellness plan can help cover expenses that Original Medicare doesn’t pay.

Why You May Need Short-Term Care

Another reason you may not think you need short-term care coverage is that “I’m in great health, I don’t need any additional coverage.” What you need to remember is that no one anticipates an injury or illness, and if you’re not prepared, you could face financial stress and worry for you and your family. For example:

• More than 700,000 people suffer a stroke each year in America. Approximately two-thirds of these individuals survive and require rehabilitation.
• 2.35 million Americans are injured or disabled due to road crashes each year.
• In 2017, the national average cost for a private room in a nursing home was $8,121 and the average monthly cost for a home health aide was $4,099.

When facing an accident, you may not think that you’ll need care in a nursing facility. A lot of people view them as a place where residents stay for years – or even longer. It’s important to remember that nursing facilities offer care for short-term recovery, including therapy and rehabilitation services, designed to provide the care you need before transitioning home. Nursing facilities provide 24/7 care that adults need after an illness or injury, allowing them to stay safe while they recover their strength. By the end of their stay, these people can return home with confidence and go back to living their lives.

Let’s take a look at a few scenarios where short-term coverage can provide some much-needed assistance.

Short-Term Care Can Provide Coverage for Common Occurrences

Strokes can leave individuals partially debilitated and in need of short-term care. Stroke victims can suffer everything from mild cognitive impairment to major problems with vision and balance. They may find themselves unable to walk without assistance and have trouble taking care of their basic daily needs. Short-term care can help these stroke patients recover through extensive therapies and provide the assistance they need to live their lives while they recover.

Heart disorders, including minor heart surgery, may require months of recuperation. In addition to the slow recovery time, patients who have recently undergone heart surgery often face a number of restrictions on daily activities, including lifting objects or driving cars. A short-term stay in a facility that offers therapy and rehabilitation services can give these individuals the support they need as they heal and regain their strength. Having help available 24/7 for a few weeks to a few months can speed healing and improve long-term recovery.

A common scenario among older adults is the fracture of the hip. Say a 70-year-old single woman breaks her hip. She is cared for in the hospital and discharged, but has no family to help her get around. Having a short-term care plan in place could help cover the costs of assistance and pay for the professional help she needs to get back on her feet.

When you consider the scenarios detailed here, and the many other unexpected events that could leave you needing nursing home care, adding short-term care coverage to your existing insurance could provide you and your family with financial peace of mind and empower you to focus on your recovery.

DISCLAIMERS:

Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company® is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government, the federal Medicare program or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This is a solicitation insurance and an independent agent may call on you. Short-Term Care Nursing Facility Confinement† Insurance is not Medicare Supplement insurance nor is it a substitute for Medicare Supplement insurance. If you are eligible for Medicare, please read the Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare available from the Company. Short-Term Care Nursing Facility Confinement Policy† form series B 21702 is underwritten by Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company®. Limitations and Exclusions apply; actual policy provisions control. Rates subject to change on a class basis. Application to determine eligibility required. Product availability and benefits may vary by state. THIS IS A LIMITED BENEFIT POLICY.†Limited Benefit Nursing Facility Confinement Policy for residents of Illinois. For Idaho residents only:  The form number for the Policy is B 21702 ID, Optional Riders B 21702 R1 HHC ID (Home Health Care Rider) and B 21702 R3 HHD ID (Household Premium Discount Rider).

Product not sold in AK, CA, CT, FL, MA, MN, NH, NY, OR, RI, SD, VT, WA, or WI. Plan availability can vary by state.