What is Long Term Care insurance [How Much Does It Cost?]

Quick answer: What Is Long Term Care Insurance How Much Does It Cost 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 is Long Term Care insurance [How Much Does It Cost?]

What is Long Term Care insurance [How Much Does It Cost?] 👉What is Long Term Care insurance? & How much does long-term care insurance cost?👈 Unlike traditional health insurance, long-term care insurance covers long-term services and support. This would include personal and custodial care in various settings such as your home, a community organization, or another facility. Long-term care insurance policies reimburse the client daily for care (up to a pre-selected limit). This reimbursement is for services to assist them with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, or eating. You can select a range of care options and benefits that allow you to get the services you need where you need them. The cost of your long-term care policy is based on: How old you are when you buy the policy 👉The maximum amount that a policy will pay per day 👉The maximum number of days (years) that a policy will pay 👉The maximum amount per day times the number of days determines the maximum lifetime amount the policy will pay. 👉Any optional benefits you choose, such as benefits that increase with inflation 👉If you are in poor health or already receiving long-term care services, you may not qualify for long-term care insurance as most individual policies require medical underwriting. 👉 In some cases, you may be able to buy a limited amount of coverage or coverage at a higher “non-standard” rate. Some group policies do not require underwriting. 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 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

Podiatrist-Recommended Products for Seniors & Long-Term Care Patients

Proper foot care is essential for seniors and long-term care patients. Diabetic-friendly footwear, compression socks, and orthopedic support can prevent serious complications and reduce the need for costly medical visits.

Related resources: Best Diabetic Socks 2026 | Best Orthopedic Slippers 2026 | Custom 3D Orthotics

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.

No insurance? Our $250 flat first visit covers the exam, X-rays and same-day care, with $100 follow-ups — no surprise billing.

More questions patients ask

What exactly is long-term care insurance and what does it cover?

Long-term care insurance (LTCI) is a specialized insurance product that pays for care services when a person can no longer perform basic Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) independently due to chronic illness, disability, or cognitive impairment. It covers costs that health insurance and Medicare do not: nursing home care, assisted living facility care, memory care units, adult day care programs, home health aide services, and homemaker services. Benefits are triggered when a licensed professional certifies you cannot perform 2+ ADLs or have severe cognitive impairment. Maintaining mobility through podiatric care reduces LTC risk — Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208) — call (810) 206-1402.

How much does long-term care cost without insurance in Michigan?

Long-term care costs in Michigan vary by care setting: nursing home (semi-private room): approximately $8,500–$10,000/month; nursing home (private room): $9,500–$11,500/month; assisted living: $4,000–$6,000/month; memory care: $5,000–$7,500/month; home health aide: $25–$35/hour; adult day care: $70–$100/day. These costs have been rising 3–5% annually. Without insurance, a 3-year nursing home stay could cost $300,000–$400,000. Maintaining good health — including foot health to prevent falls and mobility loss — reduces LTC costs. Balance Foot & Ankle serves Howell and Bloomfield Township, MI — call (810) 206-1402.

How does long-term care insurance pay for services?

LTCI policies pay benefits in two main ways: reimbursement policies (the most common) reimburse actual care costs up to the daily/monthly benefit limit — you pay first and submit receipts for reimbursement; indemnity (cash) policies pay the full daily benefit regardless of actual expenses — giving flexibility to pay family caregivers or supplement care. The daily benefit amount (typically $100–$300/day), benefit period (2–5 years or lifetime), and elimination period (0–180 days of self-pay before benefits begin) are the key variables determining what care costs are actually covered. Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township helps seniors maintain independence — call (810) 206-1402.

What is the average total cost of long-term care insurance over a lifetime?

The lifetime cost of LTCI depends heavily on when purchased and how long you pay premiums before claiming. Example: a 55-year-old purchasing a $3,000/year policy pays $45,000 over 15 years before age 70; if that person then needs 3 years of nursing home care at $9,000/month, benefits paid would be approximately $324,000 — a significant return on the $45,000 investment. However, 30% of people never use LTC benefits, meaning those premiums are 'lost.' The break-even analysis depends on your health trajectory and longevity. Reducing the likelihood of LTC through fall prevention and foot health can shift this analysis — Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township — call (810) 206-1402.

Who needs long-term care insurance the most?

Long-term care insurance is most valuable for people who: have a family history of dementia, Alzheimer's, or chronic debilitating conditions; have assets of $200,000–$2,000,000 they want to protect; are healthy enough to qualify (purchase by age 60 for best odds); have limited family caregiver support; want to maintain choice of care setting rather than defaulting to Medicaid; are women (higher lifetime LTC risk); or have chronic conditions like diabetes that increase LTC risk. Maintaining foot health is directly relevant — foot complications from diabetes are a major driver of nursing home admissions. Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208) — 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.