Covering the bases: Planning for the long term | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

Long-term care insurance is a valuable planning tool for those who are healthy enough to qualify to purchase a policy, can afford the premiums today as well as in the future, and have assets they want to protect.

Long-term care insurance is not a substitute for Medicare or supplemental insurance, because it generally covers care not provided by either of those plans. Medicare is limited in long-term care coverage, and will only provide help to pay for up to 100 days of care. This care must be medically necessary skilled care, must follow a minimum three-day hospital stay, and must be provided in a Medicare-certified facility. Another type of long-term care is home health care, which is also limited in coverage by Medicare.

The Medicare Web site at www.medicare.gov will provide you with an explanation of what is covered to help you understand the long-term care Medicare benefit. You also need to request a free copy of "A Shopper's Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance" from the Maryland Insurance Administration at www.mdinsurance.state.md.us, or you can call 800-492-6116 to request a copy. This guide is produced by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and provides valuable information about purchasing a plan.

You will find a list of companies which are licensed to sell long-term care insurance in our state at the Web site for the Maryland Insurance Administration. Be sure to check that the company you are interviewing is on that list.

Because there are so many companies to choose from, you need to be prepared to compare what they are offering you by answering the questions provided in the guide. This insurance is not standardized like Medigap plans, so the language used and the terms presented can be confusing if you don't do your homework before you contact an agent.

Where can I find out more about Medicare's dental benefit? I never see it outlined in materials I receive.

The Medicare program does not include coverage for dental care. You'll need to budget for your dental visits.

I am currently in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, but I'd like to change to another plan because my doctor won't accept my plan anymore. When can I do that?

Since you are already enrolled in an MA plan, the next time you can switch to another MA plan is during the fall annual enrollment period, which runs from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31 each year. In the meantime, you'll need to work with your plan to choose another primary care physician.

Susan Knight is a senior health insurance consultant. If you have questions about this column, contact the county's Senior Health Insurance Program at the Department of Aging and Disabilities at 410-222-4464.