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Care Coordination: Another Important Reason to Consider the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program
The need for long term care can represent an enormous change for a person who is accustomed to independent living, and this change can be both stressful and overwhelming. When going through this experience, creating a plan and securing the best possible care can be daunting. The process of creating a plan for care and lining up the needed resources is called care coordination.
One of the key features of the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) is its care coordination benefit. FLTCIP care coordinators (all of whom are registered nurses) help take the guesswork out of care planning. They offer support, resources, and, most importantly, years of experience and knowledge about the important decisions that must be made.
Most people have little experience with long term care decision-making. It is not something you usually learn about until the need exists in your own family or circle of friends, often when there is an emergency. It is important to recognize that the quality of care can vary greatly. FLTCIP care coordinators help enrollees find providers using their expertise coupled with access to reports on provider availability, quality, cost, and licensing. Care coordinators can also inform you of any available discounts on the services you need. Having access to this level of detail at such an important time can be invaluable.
"Care coordination not only provides people with information, it offers emotional support at a very difficult time," says Mary Lou McGuinness, RN, MS, Director of Care Coordination and Claims for the FLTCIP. "No one should feel as though they have to go through it alone. We are an experienced and trusted resource that people can turn to."
In a recent case, an enrollee became eligible for benefits after an automobile accident left her unable to walk. She could not work, and she wanted to continue living at home. Her FLTCIP care coordinator worked with her, her family, and the hospital to find the most appropriate home-based care after her discharge from the rehabilitation unit. This support included an assessment of what types of providers she would need (visiting nurses, therapists, and other home care providers) and what types of home modifications were necessary. Using the FLTCIP's stay-at-home benefit, her care coordinator approved the addition of a wheelchair ramp outside her home and a stair lift inside, allowing the enrollee to move throughout the house independently. With the help of her FLTCIP care coordinator and benefits, the enrollee was able to make the transition to receiving care at home rather than in a facility setting.
The care coordination benefit is especially comforting for those who live far from parents, children, or other qualified relatives. With the enrollee's approval, qualified relatives (regardless of whether they are enrolled or not) have access to a care coordinator when they need emotional support and advice about care. The value of this important benefit is reflected by the many warm relationships that have developed between families and FLTCIP care coordinators over the years.
More about the FLTCIP
Established by an act of Congress in 2000 and overseen by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the FLTCIP is designed to meet the specific needs of the Federal family.* The FLTCIP provides industry-leading benefits and offers flexible options that allow enrollees to tailor coverage to meet their needs.
To learn more about the FLTCIP's features and benefits, visit www.LTCFEDS.com, or call us at 1-800-LTC-FEDS (1-800-582-3337) TTY 1-800-843-3557. A certified long term care insurance consultant will speak with you about your particular situation, your coverage options, and the application process, and of course will answer any questions you may have.
*Certain medical conditions, or combinations of conditions, will prevent some people from being approved for coverage. You need to apply to find out if you are eligible for this coverage.