If you want to qualify for Medicaid, it helps you avoid spending money or transferring things you own. It's available when you need help with at least two of the following daily activities:
- Bathing
- Controlling your bladder/bowels
- Dressing
- Eating
- Toileting
- Moving from one place to another (getting out of a chair, bed or wheelchair)
How it works
Offers you Medicaid asset protection on a dollar-for-dollar basis
Medicaid asset protection protects most assets you have up to the amount of benefits paid under the policy.
Example: If the Partnership program pays $200,000, Medicaid will let you keep $200,000 in assets. Plus, you can still get help paying for care as long as you meet all other requirements.
Protects you from inflation
The program may also increase your benefits to cover the rising costs of care. How much your benefits will increase depends on your age. For example, if you're:
- Under 61, you'll get the most protection from inflation.
- Between 61 and 76, you'll get some protection from inflation.
- Over 76, you might get protection from inflation.
Protects your assets in other states
- If you buy or exchange Partnership coverage in Washington state, it will help protect what you own in other states too.
- Washington's a participant in the national "reciprocity" agreement with many other states. This agreement allows Washington state Partnership policyholders to move to another "reciprocal" state and receive dollar-for-dollar asset protection. Similarly, Partnership policyholders from other reciprocal states can move to Washington state and remain protected.
- Without a reciprocity agreement, your long-term care policy is portable, but the asset protection features are not.
How to buy a Long-Term Care Partnership policy
To make sure you're buying a Partnership policy, read the insurance policy or the cover page of the accompanying rider or endorsement. It should state that it meets the standards of the Partnership program. It will also include a separate Partnership disclosure notice.
You can buy a Partnership policy by:
- Finding and contacting a long-term insurance company authorized to sell Partnership policies in Washington
- Buying a policy that meets all legal requirements (as of Jan. 1, 2012) through an insurance agent or broker
Exchange your existing long-term care policy for a Partnership policy
As long as your current policy was issued on or after Feb. 8, 2006, and it’s the type of policy certified for the Long-Term Care Partnership Program. However, some restrictions may apply. Check with your insurance company for details.
If your policy was issued before Feb. 8, 2006, check with your insurance company to see if they offer an option to exchange it for a Partnership policy.