About the National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Insurance

Accurate, unbiased information about long-term care is essential when determining future needs. The National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Insurance, operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides reliable information and planning guides.

Function

• The National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Insurance is a website designed to provide tools and information for people interested in planning for long-term care needs, for themselves or family members. Materials on the site are also useful for those needing long-term care services now.

Significance

• Although few people want to think about needing long-term care, 70 percent of people over 65 need some form of long-term care, according to the National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Insurance. Medicare and health insurance doesn't cover many needed services, and most seniors' incomes don't cover the cost of long-term care.

Features

• The National Clearinghouse website is divided into sections explaining long-term care and the types of service providers, how to plan for long-term care needs, and public and private programs available to help pay for this care. The site includes a glossary of commonly used terms, a list of government resources and a planning kit that can be downloaded.