What is the "Own Your Future" Long-Term Care Public Awareness campaign?

The "Own Your Future" Long-Term Care Awareness campaign encourages residents to take an active role in planning ahead for their future long-term care needs. The State of Missouri partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to encourage citizens to start planning and preparing for their long-term care needs.

What are the some of the activities that will happen during this campaign?

• A letter from Governor Matt Blunt will be mailed to every Missouri household with individuals ages 45-65.
• A press conference will launch the campaign on August 14, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. (CST).
• Public Service Announcements (PSAs) will run on television and radio stations statewide.
• Press releases will be distributed throughout the campaign.
• Educational materials will be made available to the public and are available upon request through this website.
• Distribution of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Long-Term Care Planning Kit. This kit contains a guide on how to start planning for long-term care as well as an audio CD with stories of people with long-term care planning experiences.
• Town hall meetings will take place in many communities throughout the state to encourage residents to begin planning for their long-term care needs.

• In the future, long-term care demands may exceed Medicaid resources.
• Individuals may learn that long-term planning options are possible for them.
• Taking action now may enable an individual to protect family income and savings in the future.

• A private health insurance or retirement health plan.
• An individual's own income, savings or sale of other assets.
• Relying on children or relatives to provide care on an informal basis.
• Medicaid, a public medical assistance program for people with low-income and limited financial resources.
• Medicare, a federal health insurance program for disabled adults and adults age 65 and older.

• Long-term care insurance isn't for everyone. If you are currently receiving Social Security or expect to have minimal or no retirement savings, you will likely qualify for state aid and should not purchase long-term care insurance.
• Research individual insurance companies to see whether they have a history of raising rates for long-term care coverage. Check with your state insurance department to learn how your state regulates rate increases.
• Check with your financial advisor or accountant for guidance on whether long-term care insurance is appropriate for your specific financial situation. If long-term care insurance is for you, shop around for the most appropriate coverage at the best price.
• Make sure you understand what a long-term care insurance policy covers and just as importantly, what it doesn't. Ask questions and make sure the company is reputable and licensed to sell insurance in your state. If you have concerns about a company, contact the State of Missouri Consumer Insurance Hotline, 1-800-726-7390.
• Pre-existing conditions, conditions that you have before you apply for the insurance coverage, may be excluded from coverage. In addition, for some policies, age 60 is a trigger for a rate increase. Thus, it may be beneficial to purchase your policy before your late 50's.
• Don't rely on Medicare or Medicaid to cover your long-term care needs. Medicare will usually pay for a small percentage of nursing home costs. Medicaid pays for long-term care services but only if you meet federal poverty guidelines, and the choice of care facilities can be very limited.
• Keep in mind that tax breaks are available for qualified long-term care insurance policy premiums. The benefit payments received under such policies are tax-free.
• Do not divulge personal financial or medical information over the phone, such as your social security number, your health status, your Medicare status or your private insurance coverage. Don't be fooled by mailings about long-term care insurance that appear to be from an official government source. If you are concerned that someone is trying to trick you, contact your state insurance department.
• Be wary of advertising that suggests Medicare is associated with a long-term care policy. Medicare does not endorse nor sell long-term care insurance.

• An "outline of coverage" that clearly describes the policy's benefits, terms and limitations in detail. It is important to understand how much money the policy would pay, and how much the policyholder would be responsible for out-of-pocket.
• A clear description of the elimination period. Some policies have a set number of days that must be spent in a nursing home or in claims status before the long-term care insurance coverage kicks in.
• At least one year of nursing home or home healthcare coverage or both, including intermediate and custodial care.
• The right to cancel the policy for any reason within 30 days of purchase and receive a full premium refund.
• A guarantee that the policy cannot be canceled or terminated because of the policyholder's age or physical or mental health condition.
• Consider an inflation protection option that periodically increases the benefit level without the need for the policyholder to provide evidence of insurability.

• Communicate with family and friends
• Compare and understand long-term care insurance options
• Decide who you can count on for help
• Establish clear legal directions
• Focus on your finances
• Learn what your community has to offer
• Make necessary home improvements
• Take control of your health and personal needs
• Refer to the links and resources page within this site