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Updated 29 Dec 03

What is long term care insurance and why do I need it?

Long term care is the type of care you need if you can no longer perform normal activities of daily living, like eating and dressing.  The need for long term care can result from aging, sudden illness, accident, or a degenerative disease.  Long term care insurance is insurance that helps you pay for long term care services, such as home care, or care in a nursing home or assisted living facility.  This care can be very expensive – normal health insurance covers little of these costs.

Who is eligible for long term care (LTC) insurance?

Generally, appropriated fund Federal civilian employees, members of the uniformed services, and certain members of their families are eligible to apply for this insurance.  Please review the appropriate question and answer brochure below for more specific information on eligibility.

When can I apply for long term care insurance?

New or newly eligible employees and their spouses, or a newly married spouse of a current employee, have 60 days from date of hire or date of eligibility to apply using the abbreviated underwriting application.  For all others, If you didn’t apply during the 2002 LTC Open Season, you can still apply at any time, but you will have to use the full underwriting application.

How do I apply to enroll in long term care insurance?

You will enroll directly with the third party administrator of the long term care insurance program, Long Term Care (LTC) Partners, by submitting an application for coverage.  Applications are available on the LTC Partners’ Web site (www.ltcfeds.com) or by calling 1-800-582-3337 (TTY 1-800-843-3557).  You may even be able to apply online on the LTC Partners’ Web site.

I will be retiring soon; can I still enroll in long term care insurance?

You, your spouse, and your children are eligible to apply either before or after retirement.  However, there are certain family members that are eligible to apply only while you are a current employee:  your parents, stepparents, and parents-in-law.  Also, if your current spouse doesn’t enroll while you are living, he/she may apply if you die after retirement only if he/she receives a survivor annuity.  If you’re planning to retire soon, apply now, while you’re healthy, and lock the premiums in based on your current age.

My long term care insurance premiums are currently deducted via payroll deduction; when I retire will they automatically deduct from my annuity?

No.  If you wish to have your long term care insurance premiums deducted from your retirement annuity, you will need to contact LTC Partners to let them know when you are retiring.  For more information, please review the Civilian Question & Answer Brochure below.

If I transfer to a new agency, will my Long Term Care premiums automatically begin with the new agency?

No. You will need to contact LTC Partners when you know where and when you will be transferring. LTC Partners will work with the new agency location to set up payroll deductions. Depending on the timing involved, LTC Partners may not get your payroll deduction changed in time for the first paycheck at the new location, so you will be billed directly for any premiums not collected through payroll deduction. If you receive a direct billing from LTC Partners, be sure you pay it promptly.

How can I obtain additional information about long term care insurance?

See the applicable Civilian or Military Question and Answer brochure below for basic program information, including eligibility, how to enroll, full and abbreviated underwriting, effective date of coverage, and more.  The best sources for detailed information on the long term care insurance program are the web sites of the Office of Personnel Management and LTC Partners’, where you will find extensive frequently asked questions (FAQs), benefits and eligibility information, premium rates, and a premium calculator.

Who may I speak to if I have questions about the long term care insurance program?

You will need to speak with a certified long term care insurance specialist at 1-800-582-3337 (TTY 1-800-843-3557), Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time.