Millennials Confused About Long Term Care Insurance Planning

A marked increase in requests for information and price quotes for long term care insurance by individuals born starting with the early 1980s is the result of confusion regarding the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

“We have seen a marked increase in the number of young men and women calling for and requesting online information pertaining to long term care insurance,” cites Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.  The industry trade group was established to provide educational information to consumers and connect those seeking costs with knowledgeable long term care insurance professionals.

“The ideal age to learn more about long term care insurance is your mid-50s,” Slome explains.  “That is when you are most likely to be able to health qualify for this protection and premiums also are still highly affordable.  Waiting until after age 65 often results in a decline due to health or significantly higher costs.”

Over the past 60 days the Association reports receiving a significant increase inquiries by Millenials.   This is the demographic cohort with birth years from the early 1980s to the early 2000s.  “It’s true that accidents among young people can result in the need for long term care but the risk is extremely small so the increase in interest was a bit perplexing,” Slome notes.

Conversations with many of the younger individuals revealed a general lack of understanding regarding long term care and a confusion between this form of protection and traditional health care.  “The good news is that younger people are seeking information and for the Affordable Care Act to be successful, younger people will need to participate,” Slome adds.  “Planning starts with education and awareness so this all represents a very positive step.”