Navigating Long-Term Care in District Of Columbia

While the District of Columbia does not participate in the federal long-term care partnership program, the district does offer many insurance options to address the increasing costs of long-term health care.

Tax-qualified Long-Term Insurance has many consumer protections and federal tax incentives. These insurance solutions are available from several insurance companies for people living in the District.

Many qualified care providers are available throughout the district and in the Washington D.C. metro area, but increasing demand for care has created rising costs.

Federal Partnership Program

The District of Columbia is home of the capital of the United States. As such, it is not considered a state. It is primarily the City of Washington. The District is not yet participating in the federal/state partnership program.

Reciprocity

Since the District does not currently participate in the partnership program there is no reciprocity. This means if you move into the district from a partnership state the additional dollar-for-dollar asset protection offered by the policy would not apply.

Medicaid

Long-Term Care Medicaid spend down is $4.000. A spouse’s minimum asset allowance is minimum of $26,076 up to a maximum of one-half of countable assets up to $130,380. Your spouse’s minimum monthly income allowance is $2155. The home equity limit is $903,000.

 For more information about the Medicaid program visit www.medicaid.gov

Rate Stability Rules

Consumers in the District of Columbia enjoy additional peace-of-mind as the district has adopted Long-Term Care Insurance Rate Stability Rules.  These rules, developed the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, makes it much harder for an insurance company to get an approved rate increase.

Products Approved in the District of Columbia

A variety of affordable products are approved in the District of Columbia for Long-Term Care planning. These include traditional plans, short-duration plans, and asset-based “hybrid” plans.

Tax Incentives

The DC income exclusion for long-term care insurance premiums is no longer a subtraction from federal adjusted gross income. Based on the taxpayer's age, certain amounts of tax-qualified long-term care insurance premiums are deductible as itemized deduction medical expenses. Federal tax incentives do apply.

Reverse Mortgages in the District of Columbia

Reverse mortgages are available in the District of Columbia. A reverse mortgage is a home equity loan where the borrower does not have to make payments.

This type of mortgage can increase monthly income, eliminate mortgage payments, and even fund Long-Term Care Insurance. However, the district has many rules on these products, and you should seek the help of a qualified and licensed mortgage broker. 

If you have significant equity in your home and you and your spouse are at least 62 years old, you can get a reverse mortgage to turn your equity into funding long-term health care, pay for an LTC Insurance policy, pay bills and add to your retirement lifestyle.

The home must be the principal residence without any tax liens. 

Learn more about reverse mortgages by clicking here.

_{*The federal government sets a new minimum and maximum amounts each year, but states and U.S. territories can set their own minimum requirements at any level between the federal limits. This information is based on the best available sources.}