Best Washington Long-Term Care Insurance (2024)

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on finding the best long-term care life insurance in Washington State. Planning for your future care needs is essential, and having the right insurance coverage can provide the necessary financial protection and peace of mind. In this article, we will explore the key factors to consider when selecting long-term care life insurance, including policy options, coverage details, benefits, and costs.

We understand the importance of making informed decisions about your insurance coverage, and that’s why we offer a simple and effective solution. Enter your ZIP code to compare rates from the best insurance providers in Washington State. Take the first step towards securing the best long-term care life insurance and ensuring a secure future for yourself and your loved ones.

What are the best long-term care insurance providers in Washington State?

If you were to become injured or disabled while working in Washington State and required income to continue your lifestyle, you have a few different options. You could choose to pay for long-term care out of your own pocket with savings or equity in your home. Some people may also qualify for Medicaid or VA benefits. However, you could also receive long-term care benefits from the WA Cares Fund or from a private long-term care insurance policy.

Below are some of the best long-term care insurance companies in Washington State.

OneAmerica

OneAmerica is a long-term care insurance company in Washington State that combines long-term care insurance with life insurance or an annuity. In this case, you would pay for long-term care insurance, but if you didn’t use the benefits you would leave them as a death benefit for your beneficiaries.

National Guardian Life (NGL)

National Guardian Life’s (NGL’s) EssentialLTC long-term care policy includes various riders and benefits, such as a return of premium rider and flexible payment plans. In addition, NGL has received an A rating from A.M. Best, which indicates excellent financial strength.

Lincoln Financial

Lincoln Financial offers multiple long-term care insurance policies. However, one of its most popular policies is a hybrid policy that gives you the advantage of leaving a tax-free death benefit to your beneficiaries if you don’t use the long-term care benefits.

Nationwide

Nationwide offers stand-alone long-term care insurance policies or a long-term care add-on for life insurance policies. In addition, the benefits from Nationwide are paid in cash.

How much does long-term care insurance in Washington State cost?

According to the American Association for Long-Term Care, the average long-term care insurance rates for a person in Select health (a lower rating than Preferred health) are as follows:

Average Long-Term Care Insurance Rates for $165,000 Benefit by Age and Gender

Your age and health status at the time of purchase are the two most important determinants of your long-term care insurance rates in Washington State. However, your rates will also depend on your policy features. For example, you will need to choose the coverage amount, a benefit period, a daily benefit amount, an elimination period (the number of days you will pay for yourself before insurance takes over), and whether you want inflation protection.

What is the WA Cares Fund?

The WA Cares Fund is the first state-run long-term care benefits program that is paid for with a long-term care insurance Washington State tax that is deducted from employees’ payroll. In exchange for paying the small tax, citizens of Washington can receive long-term care benefits if needed.

This long-term care insurance Washington State law went into effect on January 1, 2022. Employees must now contribute $0.58 for every $100 they earn, which adds up to about $302 per year based on the average annual earnings for a citizen of Washington. The tax rate for this program will be re-evaluated every two years.

In order to be eligible for benefits, you must be employed for at least 10 years, without a break of five or more years, OR work for at least 500 hours per year for three out of the six years preceding your benefits application.

The WA Cares Fund will begin paying benefits up to $36,500 in January 2025. They may cover professional in-home care, support for family caretakers, assisted living facilities or nursing homes, adaptive equipment and technology, home modifications, meals and transportation, dementia support, care transition coordination, and education and consultations.

It is possible to file for a long-term care insurance Washington State opt-out if you wish to be exempt from paying the tax. However, there may be requirements that you must meet in order to qualify for an exemption. You should also keep in mind that you cannot re-enroll in the WA Cares Fund if you are granted an exemption.

Should I buy long-term care insurance in Washington State?

If you are not eligible to receive the WA Cares Fund benefits, you may want to consider buying private long-term care insurance. For example, if you plan to retire before working long enough to receive benefits, you may not be eligible for the WA Cares Fund.

Many people may want to consider buying private long-term care insurance to have higher coverage limits. When you buy long-term care insurance from a private company, you can choose a higher level of benefits than is provided by the WA Cares Fund. You could also combine the benefits from both programs, or you can file for an exemption from the state fund and use just your private benefits.

Private long-term care insurance policies may also include additional benefits, such as an optional death benefit, out-of-state coverage, return of premium riders, and the ability to add a partner or spouse to the policy.

If you would like to compare long-term care insurance quotes in Washington State, enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool below.