Long-Term Care Elimination Period Bridge Calculator
Translate daily care pricing, elimination period length, and your policy benefit into a clear cash bridge so you can see whether savings and HSAs cover the waiting period before benefits kick in.
Actual claims eligibility depends on benefit triggers, care settings, and policy language—consult your insurer or licensed agent when building a long-term care funding plan.
Examples
- $320 daily cost, 90-day elimination, $220 benefit, $6,000 savings, no HSA ⇒ Gap $9,000.00, savings cover 66.67% leaving a $3,000.00 shortfall ($33.33 per day) and $3,000.00 monthly pacing.
- $275 daily cost, 60-day elimination, $200 benefit, $25,000 savings, $4,500 HSA ⇒ Gap $4,500.00 fully funded with a $25,000.00 reserve, creating a $25,000.00 surplus ($416.67 per day) and $2,250.00 monthly pacing.
FAQ
Can family caregiving hours satisfy an elimination period?
Many insurers require licensed caregiver notes, but some accept documented informal care. Confirm your policy’s definition of a covered service before relying on unpaid support.
How should I account for inflation in care costs?
Update the daily cost and benefit inputs annually using current invoices or Genworth survey data so your bridge reflects today’s pricing.
Do hybrid life/LTC policies change the math?
They often shorten elimination periods or offer cash indemnity benefits. Enter the indemnity amount as your daily benefit to see the remaining bridge.
What if I plan to self-fund without insurance?
Set the policy benefit to $0 to reveal the full reserve you should earmark before purchasing coverage or finalizing a self-funding plan.
Additional Information
- Elimination periods typically span 30 to 180 days; longer waits reduce premiums but demand a deeper emergency fund to avoid lapses in care.
- Price out assisted living, memory care, or in-home health aide options locally—Genworth’s Cost of Care survey is a helpful benchmark—and update the daily cost input each renewal season.
- Include HSA or FSA balances because qualified long-term care expenses can be reimbursed pre-tax up to IRS limits, stretching cash-on-hand.
- Verify how your policy counts elimination days; some require service days, not calendar days, so missed visits could extend the wait before benefits activate.