The Difference Between Health Insurance and Long Term Care Insurance

The Difference Between Health Insurance and Long Term Care Insurance

When you purchase a traditional health insurance policy you pay a premium fee each month. It is a fee-for-service type of insurance plan that covers health care costs. Sometimes you need to pay an additional cost for certain services, often referred to as a copayment. These copayments are typically required for doctor visits and certain medications. When seeking options for health care insurance in NYC and beyond, trust Margolis and Associates.

Long-term care insurance is dissimilar to a traditional health insurance policy in that it is created for coverage of long-term support and services. These services include both custodial and personal care in various settings. Long-term care insurance may be applied to care received at home, in a nursing facility, or in another community-type setting.  

Traditional Health Insurance Examples

These types of health insurance plans are also referred to as fee-for-service (FFS) or indemnity plans. A health insurance plan considered “traditional” provides the insured person with standard coverage limits. Coverage includes visits to the doctor, surgeries, hospital stays, and other expenses relating to medical needs. In addition, health insurance plans can cover severe illness and injury, as well as offer coverage for major medical expenses. These policies will pay the larger medical bills when standard coverage is exhausted.

Typical coverage includes:

  • Visits to the doctor

  • Surgeries and medical procedures

  • Hospital stays

  • Emergency care and related medical expenses

Additional benefits may include:

  • Coverage in the event of severe illness or injury

  • Major medical expenses that exceed standard coverage

These policies help pay larger medical bills when your basic coverage runs out.

What is Long-Term Care Insurance?

Adults between the ages of 40 and 65 or older who require specialized care often purchase long-term care insurance. Also referred to as LTC insurance, it provides coverage for people requiring home health or care in a nursing facility. In addition, persons who are over 65 years of age with a disabling or chronic condition also purchase LTC insurance.

Who may benefit from LTC insurance:

  • Adults 40–65+ who want financial protection for future care needs

  • Seniors over 65 with chronic or disabling conditions

  • Individuals who want coverage for care at home or in a nursing facility

What LTC insurance can cover:

  • Home health services

  • Care in a nursing facility

  • Daily assistance with activities such as:

    • Eating

    • Bathing

    • Dressing

How LTC insurance works:

  • Policyholders select a daily reimbursement amount in advance

  • Coverage helps pay for care when needed

  • Plans offer different levels of benefits and services to fit individual needs

Why it matters:

  • Reduces out-of-pocket costs for long-term care

  • Gives individuals more control over where and how they receive care

  • Supports independence and quality of life

The purchase of a long-term care insurance policy allows policyholders a daily reimbursement of up to an amount that is pre-selected amount. Individuals in need of certain healthcare services can purchase LTC insurance. Long-term care policies offer individuals in need assistance with daily activities like eating, bathing, and dressing. There is a wide variety of options regarding benefits and care to choose from when you select an LTC policy.

Contact Us for All Your Health and Long-Term Care Insurance Needs

When you are in need of health insurance or long-term care insurance in Queens and the surrounding boroughs, contact  Margolis & Associates. We are an insurance brokerage firm that has heart, making us number one in NYC and its surrounding areas.

For all your health and long-term care insurance needs, contact Margolis & Associates by visiting 118 East 28th St., Suite 704, New York, NY. Or you can call our office at 212-684-0711. We are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. Closed weekends. Reach out to us today for a quote on an insurance policy.

Note: This blog was updated 10/22/2025

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