Can I use long-term care insurance and VA Aid & Attendance together?

They are separate benefit sources. Some families may use both, depending on eligibility and policy terms.

What if I do not have long-term care insurance?

Families may still explore VA benefits, Medicaid waiver options, Medicare-covered home health when clinically appropriate, and private pay care.

Long-Term Care Insurance & Home Care in Michigan

Q: My policy has an elimination period. Do I have to pay out of pocket during that time?

Yes. The elimination period usually works like a deductible period before benefits begin. Elder Empowerment helps families plan for that window and coordinate available resources.

Q: What if my policy only pays for skilled care?

Many policies distinguish skilled care from custodial care. A nurse-supervised care plan and proper documentation may help clarify what the policy requires.

Elder Empowerment Services helps Michigan families use their long-term care (LTC) insurance policies to pay for professional, nurse-supervised in-home care. If you or your loved one has an LTC policy, it may cover all or part of the cost of home care — including the companion care, personal care, and live-in services we provide across Livonia, Westland, West Bloomfield, Farmington, Novi, and Ann Arbor.

How LTC Insurance Works for Home Care

Most long-term care insurance policies are comprehensive — they cover care in a variety of settings, including:

Home care (non-medical and skilled)
Adult foster care / assisted living facilities
Nursing homes
Adult day care centers

If your policy includes a home care benefit (sometimes called “home health care” or “community-based care”), you can use it to pay for the services that help you stay safely at home — exactly where most people want to be.

What LTC Policies Typically Cover

Policy Feature	What It Means for You
Daily/Monthly Benefit Amount	The maximum the policy pays per day or month for covered care
Benefit Period	How long benefits last (e.g., 2 years, 5 years, lifetime)
Elimination Period	The “deductible” period (typically 30–90 days) before benefits begin
Inflation Protection	Increases the benefit amount over time to keep pace with rising care costs
Home Care Benefit	Must be explicitly included — some older policies only cover facility care

We Handle the Paperwork

Filing LTC insurance claims can feel overwhelming. We make it simple. Owner Deborah Waldo, RN BSN, and our care team:

Verify your policy’s home care benefits and eligibility requirements
Complete the required Plan of Care documentation the insurer needs
Submit claims and supporting documentation on your behalf
Coordinate directly with your insurance carrier’s care coordinators
Track benefit usage so you always know where you stand

Common Questions

My policy has an elimination period. Do I have to pay out of pocket during that time?

Yes, the elimination period (typically 30–90 days) works like a deductible. You’re responsible for care costs during this window. We’ll help you plan for it and can often coordinate with other resources (VA benefits, Medicaid waivers, etc.) to bridge the gap.

What if my policy only pays for “skilled” care?

Many policies distinguish between skilled (nursing, therapy) and custodial (bathing, dressing, meals) care. Our RN-supervised care plans document the skilled oversight that supports custodial tasks, which often satisfies insurer requirements.

Can I use LTC insurance and VA Aid & Attendance together?

Yes. These are separate benefits from different sources. VA Aid & Attendance is a pension benefit; LTC insurance is a private policy. Using both can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket cost. We help families coordinate both.

What if I don’t have LTC insurance?

You’re not alone — most seniors don’t. We also help families explore VA Aid & Attendance, Medicaid waivers (MI Choice), Medicare home health benefits, and private pay options. Call us for a free consultation.

Start Your Free LTC Insurance Benefits Review

Don’t leave benefits on the table. If you’ve been paying premiums for years, your policy exists for exactly this moment. Let us help you activate it.

📞 Call 734-414-8000 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll review your policy, explain your home care benefit, and show you how Elder Empowerment Services can deliver the care your policy was meant to provide.