Ever catch yourself wondering who’s going to take care of you—or your loved ones—when the time comes? Long-term care insurance has been around for nearly 50 years, but according to Bill Comfort, owner of Comfort Long Term Care in Durham, NC, “The claim wave is actually growing at a faster rate than the actual age wave.” That’s a striking insight for those of us working in senior living communities. As the U.S. population grows older, the market for hybrid life and long-term care insurance policies is also expanding. In fact, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) reported approximately $16 billion in long-term care insurance claims for 2023.

Legislators have tried for years to pass bills establishing federal long-term care insurance benefits. Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY) recently introduced the Well-Being Insurance for Seniors to be at Home (WISH) Act, which would offer initial funding toward a long-term care benefit. While this could eventually offer financial relief for many residents, there’s still a critical piece communities need to focus on now: understanding the ins and outs of the requirements.

One major takeaway? Documentation. Surprised? Probably not. If it wasn’t documented, it wasn’t done. If you or a loved one is using home health support to stay independent, that documentation needs to be spot-on. Let’s say caregivers are helping with daily ADLs—how much help is being given? Which ADLs are involved? Without those details clearly recorded, a long-term care insurance claim is almost guaranteed to be denied.

The reality is, we know this drill—we live it every day in post-acute care. But it’s still worth saying out loud: long-term care insurance claims rely heavily on the accuracy and timeliness of care documentation.

Stay well and stay informed!