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Long-term care insurance in Washington & Florida

Most people will need help with daily living as they age — and neither health insurance nor Medicare pays for it long-term. LTC coverage protects your retirement savings and your family.

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Long-term care — help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility — is a cost most families don't plan for until it arrives. It's also expensive: in-home aides, assisted living, and nursing homes can run tens of thousands of dollars a year, and the bills can continue for years. Crucially, standard health insurance and Medicare do not cover extended long-term care. Long-term care insurance (or a hybrid life/LTC policy) funds that care so it doesn't consume your retirement savings or fall on your children. Maru helps Washington and Florida families plan for this honestly.

Quick take: Medicare covers only short, skilled, rehab-oriented stays — not the ongoing custodial care most people eventually need. Medicaid pays only after you've spent down most of your assets. LTC planning is what stands between those two extremes, protecting both your savings and your family's time.

What long-term care costs

Typical long-term care settings
Care settingWhat it provides
In-home careAides help with daily activities in your own home
Adult day careDaytime supervision and social/health services
Assisted livingHousing plus help with daily activities and some care
Nursing homeFull-time skilled and custodial care
Memory careSpecialized care for dementia and Alzheimer's

Costs vary widely by setting and region; a multi-year need can reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Illustrative — we'll review current local figures with you.

Traditional vs. hybrid policies

Traditional LTC insurance is pure coverage — lower cost, but premiums can rise and there's no benefit if you never need care. Hybrid policies combine life insurance or an annuity with an LTC benefit: if you need care, it pays for care; if you don't, your heirs receive a death benefit — so the money is never “wasted.” Hybrids have become the more popular route for exactly that reason. We compare both approaches, and the trade-offs, across carriers.

Washington and Florida context

Washington is notable for the WA Cares Fund, a state long-term-care benefit funded by a payroll tax — but its lifetime benefit is modest and generally isn't enough for an extended care need, so private coverage still plays a central role. Florida, with one of the nation's largest retiree populations, sees heavy demand and cost pressure across assisted living and memory care. In both states, buying earlier (in your 50s to early 60s) locks in better health-based pricing before conditions develop.

Frequently asked questions

Doesn't Medicare pay for long-term care?
No, not for extended care. Medicare covers only limited, skilled, rehabilitation-focused stays — typically up to about 100 days — not the ongoing custodial help with daily activities that most long-term care involves. That gap is exactly what LTC insurance is designed to fill.
What's the difference between traditional and hybrid LTC insurance?
Traditional LTC is standalone coverage — cheaper, but you lose the premiums if you never need care, and rates can rise. Hybrid policies pair LTC with life insurance or an annuity, so they pay for care if needed or pass a death benefit to heirs if not. Hybrids cost more up front but guarantee the money isn't wasted.
When should I buy long-term care insurance?
Generally in your 50s to early 60s. Buying earlier locks in coverage while you're healthier and premiums are lower — waiting risks both higher costs and developing conditions that make you ineligible. We'll help you weigh timing against your budget and family history.
Does Washington's WA Cares Fund mean I don't need private coverage?
The WA Cares Fund provides a modest lifetime long-term-care benefit funded by payroll tax, but it's generally not enough for an extended or high-cost care need. Most people who want real protection still need private LTC or hybrid coverage on top of it. We can factor WA Cares into your plan.
Vadim, licensed insurance advisor at Maru Insurance
Vadim — Maru Insurance
Licensed independent insurance agent · WA & FL
Written and reviewed by a licensed Maru advisor. Maru Insurance is an independent agency (License #22261820) representing multiple A-rated carriers across Washington and Florida.

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