Long-Term Care & Short-Term Care Insurance

Preparing for the unexpected is one of the most important steps you can take to help protect your retirement.

Download your free planning guide to better understand how care works, what it may cost, and how families prepare so you can take the next step with confidence.

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Overview

You’ve worked hard to build a secure future, and taking the step to learn more about planning for care is a smart move. We’re glad you’re here. Choosing to prepare for the unexpected is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself and your family, and it’s a strong first step in a series of thoughtful choices that can help protect the retirement you’ve earned.

Extended care can arise from many situations—such as surgery, illness, a fall, or the gradual effects of aging. When that happens, families often find themselves making important decisions quickly, sometimes without fully understanding their options.

The MOAA-endorsed Long-Term Care and Short-Term Care Insurance Program helps you explore ways to prepare for these possibilities. With guidance from experienced benefits advisors, you can review available options and determine what solutions may work best for your personal situation and retirement plans.

If you’d like to better understand how care planning works and what families often face when these situations arise, talk to an AMBA representative by calling 1-800-247-2192 or filling out the form on this page.

Long-Term Care vs. Short-Term Care

Care needs are not always the same. Some situations involve temporary support during recovery, while others require longer-term assistance with daily living.

Short-Term Care typically helps during recovery from a surgery, illness, injury, or hospital stay. It may include rehabilitation services, therapy, or temporary assistance at home while someone works toward regaining independence.

For individuals dealing with chronic conditions, disabilities, or cognitive changes, ongoing support may become necessary. Long-Term Care focuses on helping with everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, mobility, meal preparation, and other personal tasks that allow someone to maintain safety and independence.

These services may be provided in a variety of settings—including at home, in assisted living communities, or in specialized care facilities. Understanding how recovery care and longer-term support differ can help families prepare for the financial and practical realities of future care needs.

If you’re unsure whether short-term or long-term care planning may be appropriate for your situation, call 1-800-247-2192.

Plan(s) may not be available in all states.

	Short-Term Care	Long-Term Care
Purpose / How is coverage typically used?	Temporary assistance during recovery from an illness, injury, or surgery.	Ongoing assistance for chronic conditions, disabilities, cognitive decline, or age-related care needs.
How long does coverage typically last?	Generally designed to support recovery for a period of weeks or months.	Designed to help cover extended care needs that may continue for years.
How are benefits paid out?	Benefits are typically paid directly to you, giving you flexibility in how the funds are used.	Benefits help cover the costs associated with extended care services and support.
Where can I receive care?	Care may be received at home or in certain care facilities, depending on your situation and plan.	Care may be received in a variety of settings, including your home, assisted living communities, or care facilities.
Why should I plan now?	An unexpected illness, injury, or surgery can happen at any time, creating recovery expenses that Medicare or health insurance may not fully cover.	Costs are generally based on your age when you apply, and health changes over time can impact eligibility and available coverage options.
What are the differences in cost?	Generally lower cost because coverage is intended for temporary recovery and rehabilitation needs.	Generally higher cost because coverage is designed for ongoing care and extended assistance.
Why should I consider this coverage?	Helps protect against unexpected recovery-related expenses and provides additional financial flexibility during recovery.	Helps protect retirement savings and assets from the potentially significant costs of extended care.

Contact Us

We're here to help! Please contact us in whatever manner is most convenient for you.

Phone

1-800-247-2192

Email

moaa.service@getamba.com

Hours

M-F 7:30a-6p CT

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AMBA's Role and Compensation

Request Our Free Long-Term Care & Short-Term Care

Planning Guide

If you’re beginning to explore care planning, our guide provides a helpful introduction to the key topics families often face.

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Understand the difference between short-term care and long-term care

These two types of care may feel connected, but they are treated very differently, especially when it comes to coverage.

See how care is typically funded

There are four key strategies families often rely on to determine how to fund long-term or short-term care costs.

Avoid common misconceptions about coverage

Many people believe that Medicare will cover the cost of long-term support.

Plan early while you still have flexibility

Waiting until a health event occurs often means fewer choices and higher costs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Answers about the program, including eligibility, options, customer service and more.

I’m young and healthy. Do I really need to start planning now?

It’s impossible to predict how long you’ll remain in good health or whether you might experience an accident, illness, or condition that requires extended care. Planning earlier allows you to review options while you still have flexibility and time to make informed decisions.

Fill out the form to get access to our guide for additional context on how to better prepare for long-term or short-term care.

When do people typically use Short-Term Care coverage?

Short-Term Care coverage is often used during recovery after events such as surgery, illness, injury, or a hospital stay. It can help provide financial support for rehabilitation, therapy, or temporary assistance while someone works toward regaining independence.

How are benefits paid out under short-term care coverage?

Benefits under short-term care coverage are typically paid directly to you, giving you the flexibility to decide how to use the funds. This can include paying for medical expenses, hiring caregivers, or covering other costs associated with your recovery.

Can Short-Term Care coverage help with recovery at home?

In many cases, recovery support can be provided at home rather than in a facility. Depending on the coverage selected, benefits may help offset the cost of in-home care, therapy, or other services that support recovery in a familiar environment.

Won't the Federal Government pay for my long-term care?

Medicare provides minimal financial support for LTC services. Medicare was designed to pay for acute medical conditions and post-rehabilitative care; it was not intended to pay for costs associated with LTC. To qualify for nursing home care under Medicare, a three-day hospital stay is required, and care must be rehabilitative in nature. If these conditions are met, Medicare will pay for the first 20 days. Days 21-100 require a co-payment. There is no coverage after day 100.

What happens if I wait to plan for my long-term care needs?

Your risk of being ineligible for any type of financial assistance including insurance may increase. The overall cost of insurance coverage will increase because premium rates are based on your age when you apply. If you don’t qualify for insurance because of a health concern, you could be left responsible for the cost of care if you need long term care services.

Can I qualify if I already have existing health conditions?

In some cases, individuals with pre-existing health conditions may still be eligible for long-term care insurance, although the coverage options and premium rates may vary. It’s essential to disclose any existing health conditions during the application process to ensure accurate pricing and coverage information.

Is long-term care insurance necessary if I have other types of insurance coverage?

While other types of insurance may cover certain healthcare expenses, they often do not provide comprehensive coverage for long-term care services. Long-term care insurance helps protect your assets and provides financial support specifically tailored to the costs associated with extended care needs.

Get More Information About Long-Term & Short-Term Care Plans

Our experienced team is committed to assisting you in navigating the complexities of both long-term and short-term care options. Call us today at 1-800-247-2192 to compare plans, understand your coverage options, and find the solution that best fits your needs and budget. You can also download our free guide to learn more about the differences between long-term and short-term care, how it’s funded, and what options you may have to care for your loved ones.