What Happens to Unused Long-Term Care Insurance?

Quick answer: What Happens To Unused Long Term Care Insurance affects roughly 1 in 4 adults in our practice. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Township practices. Book online, or call (810) 206-1402.

✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

What Happens to Unused Long-Term Care Insurance?

What Happens to Unused Long-Term Care Insurance? 👉What Happens to Unused Long-Term Care Insurance? There are options and plans to help with your new long-term care insurance!👈 What Happens to Unused Long-Term Care Insurance? Many long-term care insurance buyers die before making any claims under the policy. If they purchased traditional long-term care insurance coverage, they have paid their premiums without any financial benefit. There are other options to help you get more out of your policy. For example, policies with shared spousal benefits will allow a surviving spouse to use any new benefits. Return of premium policies offer another option to get benefits from new long-term care insurance policies, but they are significantly more expensive. Get Home Care Assistance in Michigan with Assisting Hands Home Care:

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Our Recommended Products: https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/recommended-foot-doctor-products/// 📢See a Physician!📢 See a Physician if you have a health issue. This information is NOT specific to your medical problem. If in Michigan, consider seeing us:

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Directions: https://g.page/r/Ca4Dg-JS_3XPEAE 👉– LINKS –👈 (With some links, we use affiliate links and may earn a commission. Check with your doctor before using any product!) 📢Disclaimer:📢 This video and description contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click on one of the product links. Thank you for your support of this channel! This is opinion only: Do not consider this video a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for the viewer or reader. We strongly urge you to contact your physician with any questions regarding your medical condition. If you have an emergency, call 911 immediately or see your physician. Do not allow this information to let you disregard your professional’s medical advice or delay seeking information from this content. Do not rely on information provided by this general education video. Healthcare practitioners: The content here is for education purposes only. The authors have done their best to provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based information, but this content should definitely not be considered any type of medical standard. It does not reflect individual practices in other geographic areas. This is strictly for medical education purposes only, and it is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. The information in these videos is the author’s opinion and is not an official opinion of any organizations that the authors may be a part of. The authors or speakers are not associated with any of the above products.

Getting Expert Foot and Ankle Care in Michigan: Balance Foot & Ankle

Michigan patients with any foot or ankle concern — from chronic pain and structural deformity to wound care, nail problems, and sports injuries — can receive expert podiatric evaluation at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our fellowship-trained podiatric surgeons provide the full spectrum of podiatric care, combining conservative and surgical options tailored to each patient’s specific diagnosis, activity level, and treatment goals. We are in-network with major Michigan insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most Medicare Advantage plans. Both of our Michigan offices — Howell at 4330 E Grand River (serving Livingston County) and Bloomfield Township at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 (serving Oakland County and northern Metro Detroit) — offer same-week new patient appointments, in-office digital X-ray, and dedicated parking. Michigan patients ready to address their foot or ankle problem can call (810) 206-1402 to schedule with Balance Foot & Ankle.

Michigan Podiatry: Connecting Whole-Body Health to Foot and Ankle Outcomes

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Related Treatment Guides

• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment
• Bunion Treatment

Foot and ankle health does not exist in isolation from the rest of the body — conditions including diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout have significant and direct effects on the foot. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we understand the intersection between systemic health and podiatric outcomes and coordinate with our patients’ primary care physicians, endocrinologists, rheumatologists, and vascular surgeons when managing complex conditions. Michigan patients managing chronic systemic conditions who have developed foot complications — neuropathy, circulatory insufficiency, inflammatory arthritis of the foot joints, or gout attacks — can receive coordinated podiatric care that integrates with their existing medical management. Our goal is to optimize foot function and prevent complications within the context of the patient’s overall health picture. Michigan patients with complex health histories affecting their foot and ankle health can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule at our Howell or Bloomfield Township office.

Medical References & Sources

• American Podiatric Medical Association — Patient Education
• American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society — Foot Conditions

Get Expert Help at Balance Foot & Ankle

If this condition is affecting your daily activities or hasn’t improved with home treatment, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Tom Biernacki. We offer same-day appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Township locations and accept most insurance including Medicare. Most patients are walking comfortably within 4-6 weeks of starting our protocol — conservative care first, surgery only when needed.

Call (810) 206-1402 or request an appointment online. Our team responds within 1 business hour during clinic days.

Visit Balance Foot & Ankle — Same-Day Appointments Available

Our podiatry team serves patients throughout Michigan including Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Township. If you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a podiatrist?

If symptoms persist past 2 weeks, affect your normal activity, or are accompanied by red-flag symptoms (warmth, redness, swelling, inability to bear weight).

What does treatment cost?

Most diagnostic visits and conservative treatments are covered by Medicare and major insurers. Out-of-pocket costs vary by your specific plan.

How quickly can I get an appointment?

Most non-urgent cases see us within 5 business days. Urgent cases (sudden pain, possible fracture) typically same or next business day.

More questions patients ask

What happens to long-term care insurance premiums if you never use the benefits?

With traditional stand-alone LTCI policies, unused premiums are typically not returned — the policy works like other insurance (car, home) where you pay for protection and unused premiums are not refunded. This is the most common complaint about LTCI. Alternatives that address this concern include: hybrid life/LTC policies (the death benefit is paid to heirs if LTC is never used — 'use it or leave it'), return-of-premium riders on some policies (premium returned minus any claims paid, usually at death), and asset-based LTC policies where premiums are preserved. Balance Foot & Ankle helps seniors maintain the mobility that can delay LTC needs — call (810) 206-1402 in Howell or Bloomfield Township, MI.

What is a hybrid long-term care insurance policy?

Hybrid LTC insurance combines life insurance or an annuity with a long-term care benefit rider. The key advantages: if you need LTC, the policy pays for care; if you die without needing LTC, a death benefit goes to your heirs; premiums are typically guaranteed not to increase (unlike traditional LTCI); and asset-based versions allow a lump-sum premium payment. The trade-off is that hybrid policies require larger upfront investment and provide less LTC coverage per premium dollar than traditional LTCI. They're increasingly popular precisely because premiums aren't 'wasted' if LTC is never needed. Maintaining good health including foot care reduces LTC need — Balance Foot & Ankle serves Howell and Bloomfield Township, MI — call (810) 206-1402.

Can you cancel long-term care insurance and get your money back?

Traditional LTCI policies generally cannot be surrendered for a cash value — unlike whole life insurance, they have no cash value accumulation. You can cancel and simply stop coverage, but past premiums are not refunded. Some options: reduced paid-up benefit (stop paying premiums and receive a smaller, paid-up benefit), non-forfeiture riders (guarantee minimum benefit even if you stop paying), shortened benefit period (reduce benefit to avoid lapsing). Before canceling, consult with an LTC specialist — lapses are often a mistake. Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208) supports seniors in maintaining health and independence to minimize LTC insurance needs — call (810) 206-1402.

What happens to long-term care insurance when a spouse dies?

When one spouse dies, the survivor's LTCI policy continues independently. With shared care riders (a common feature on couples' policies), the survivor can access any unused portion of the deceased spouse's benefit pool, effectively extending their own coverage. Upon death, any remaining LTC benefit on traditional policies is lost — it does not transfer to heirs. With hybrid policies, the remaining death benefit is paid to beneficiaries. Couples should review their policies together to understand survivor benefits and ensure adequate coverage for the one who lives longer (statistically, women). Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township, MI serves seniors — call (810) 206-1402.

How can you reduce long-term care needs through proactive health management?

Proactive strategies that delay or reduce long-term care needs include: fall prevention (addressing foot problems, balance training, removing home hazards — falls are the #1 trigger of LTC facility admission), managing chronic conditions like diabetes (which causes neuropathy, ulcers, and amputation requiring LTC), maintaining physical activity and strength, addressing cognitive health, maintaining healthy weight, and regular healthcare visits including podiatric care. Foot and ankle health is particularly important — immobility from foot conditions accelerates decline. Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208) helps seniors maintain independence — call (810) 206-1402.

Still have a question about coverage or cost? Book online and we will check your benefits before your visit: Book in Howell · Book in Bloomfield Township. Prefer to talk it through first? Call (810) 206-1402.