Veterans’ Long-Term Care Insurance

The Department of Veterans Affairs can help pay for long-term care costs for sick and disabled veterans. The covered services include 24/7 nursing and medical care, physical therapy, help with ADLs (activities of daily living), pain management and support for other types of care.

In order to have services paid for, the veteran must sign up for VA health care under their standard health benefits. The settings of these services may include nursing homes, assisted-living centers, private homes, adult health centers and more. Medicaid or private long-term care insurance may cover other services if you’re qualified.

Eligibility requirements regarding the VA long-term care benefits can be complex. Not every situation, program or individual is the same, which makes this a case-by-case issue. It’s imperative to consult with your nearest VA facility or the VA website to get accurate information.

While each situation is different, eligibility will require the following facts to be true: you must be signed up for VA health care, a doctor must conclude that you need qualified services, and the services must be available close to your location. The VA may also consider disability status and insurance coverage when determining eligibility.

While this is not a complete list, there are several groups of people who may qualify for VA long-term care benefits. As previously noted, in order to qualify for long-term care benefits, a veteran must be signed up for VA healthcare.

If the above does not apply to you, you may still qualify under income limits. Call your local VA office to confirm.

Learn more about eligibility for transitioning active-duty service members and returning combat Veterans.

There are some very specific programs being run by the VA to help with long-term care services and expenses. Each will address the level of needs requirement for a variety of situations.

The VA has several long-term care benefits that eligible veterans can take advantage of. They each fulfill a very necessary need for our aging population. They provide some professional medical services in the home, while others have dedicated facilities.

See below for a detailed list of some additional major benefits covered for our qualified veteran population.

In order to apply for LTC benefits, you’ll have to fill out Form VAF-10-10EC. It’s wise to start gathering all of your financial and health insurance information for you and your spouse, as the application will call for this.

Once you’ve completed the application, return the original form and supporting documentation to the social work staff at your local VA medical facility. If you need any further help, you can always call the VA’s toll-free number (877-222-8387) for assistance.

In order to complete the form, you’ll need to gather current income, deductible expenses, the value of fixed and liquid assets, all health insurance information, Medicare information and spousal or dependent information. On top of this, be prepared with basic info like Social Security numbers for you and your spouse.

In terms of specific documentation, you’ll need to gather official documents relating to any investment property ownership, cash, investments, valuable collectibles, pay stubs, W2s and 1099s. Do not include burial plots, primary residence, primary vehicles and other household expenses. Do not include the income of veteran dependents, as well as some other exclusions found on pages 1 and 2 of the application.

If VA eligibility is an issue, there are several other organizations that may be able to help you cover long-term care expenses. You may recognize some names, as they have been mainstays in many local communities across the U.S. Every organization will have different eligibility requirements and availability of financial assistance for long-term care.

It is important to consult with an insurance broker, financial advisor or another industry professional to help guide you through this process. Securing long-term care coverage can be a daunting process, and the help of a shrewd professional could prove very wise.

It is clear there are many resources available for our service members, and the above is not an exhaustive list of the options that may be available to you. Be sure to be very detailed and open-minded throughout the process of researching your long-term care options to find the resources most valuable to you.

Don’t be wary of consulting loved ones or industry professionals during your search, as you can leverage their experiences and add a second or third opinion to your research.