Traditional LTC Insurance

You may be surprised to learn that prior health challenges like cancer or a stroke don’t automatically exclude you from traditional LTC insurance—if you have recovered. If you’ve had cancer, depending on the type and stage of cancer, you may be able to secure LTC insurance, particularly if you have remained cancer-free for a period of time. You may likewise qualify for coverage after a stroke if two years have passed and you don’t have other medical conditions.¹

If you have a health condition, it’s important to have an experienced Advisor assess your eligibility before you apply, as a declination by one LTC provider can make it difficult to be approved by others.

Group LTC Insurance

If your employer offers LTC insurance as a voluntary benefit, you can typically secure coverage regardless of your heath history. Even if you leave your job, you may have the opportunity to take your coverage with you, though it may be very expensive to do so.

LTC Annuities  

An LTC Annuity is a good option if you have Parkinsons, multiple sclerosis, lupus, or another condition that might preclude you from qualifying for traditional LTC insurance. Conditions like these also make it likely you’ll need care over a long horizon.

LTC Annuities typically double or triple your annuity investment in the form of LTC benefits. Often, you’ll need a minimum of $50,000 to invest. If LTC is never needed, the accumulated value of the annuity can be redeemed as incomeor passed to beneficiaries as a death benefit.

LTC Annuities generally require less underwriting than traditional LTC or hybrid life insurance policies. You can qualify for most plans as long as you don’t need help with activities of daily living (ADLs).  Some polices are specifically designed for those who already need or are receiving care.

Short Term Care Insurance

Like LTC insurance, Short Term Care (STC) insurance can help cover costs for services if you’re unable to perform ADLs on your own. STC insurance typically covers services that last 12 months or less and is ideal for those at older ages, those with health challenges, and those with coverage gaps.

STC insurance typically provides $100 – $200 a day to help offset costs for care in a nursing home or assisted living facility, home care services (including cash benefits to pay informal caregivers), and adult day care.  STC polices pay in addition to Medicare.

STC applications require answers to just a few questions and do not typically require a medical exam. Most companies offer STC coverage up to age 89. Unlike LTC policies, there is typically no waiting period.

Don’t let a health condition derail your LTC planning. Our Advisors can help you determine which options provide the best value, given your health, assets, and plans for future care.

¹Can you get long-term care insurance after you have health conditions? American Association for Long Term Care Insurance. www.aaltci.org/about/health-conditions.php, Retrieved April 3, 2026.