Wondering how to qualify for long-term care (LTC) insurance? Approval comes down to a mix of health, age, medications, mobility, and cognitive status—plus your chosen product design. This guide explains exactly how carriers evaluate your application (traditional LTC, hybrid life/LTC, and annuity-based LTC riders), what to do before you apply, and smart alternatives if you’re not a fit for full coverage.

What Carriers Look For (Snapshot)

• Age: Best approval odds are typically in your 50s to mid-60s. Approvals are possible later, but premiums and underwriting hurdles rise.
• Medical history: Carriers review diagnoses (cardiac, diabetes, cancer history, neurological conditions), surgeries, stability, and control of chronic issues.
• Medications: Rx histories are screened for red-flag drugs (certain insulin regimens, advanced pain meds, cognitive agents, or frequent changes).
• Function & mobility: Independent performance of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and safe ambulation without frequent falls are key.
• Cognition: You may be asked to complete brief memory/recall tests by phone; documented cognitive impairment is often disqualifying for traditional LTC.
• Build (height/weight): Underwriting tables vary by carrier; extremes may lead to ratings or declines.
• Financial suitability: Premiums must be affordable long-term; your plan should fit with assets, income sources, and goals.

Traditional LTC vs. Hybrid Policies: Different Paths to Approval

Traditional LTC insurance specializes in pure long-term care benefits with flexible benefit amounts, inflation options, and shared benefit riders for couples. Underwriting can be strict, especially for mobility, diabetes with complications, recent cancer, or neurological conditions.

Hybrid life/LTC policies (life insurance with an accelerated or extended LTC benefit) often use life insurance underwriting. They can be more forgiving for certain risks and include a death benefit if you never need care. To see what a life-based hybrid might cost, you can preview term life pricing on our Term Life Insurance Calculator and then have us map comparable hybrid options.

Annuities with LTC benefits may use annuity-style underwriting and can be attractive if you have non-qualified assets and want tax-favored LTC reimbursements. If income planning is also a goal, review income-focused annuity concepts on Current Annuity Rates and our resources on lifetime income structures (e.g., Best Fixed Indexed Annuities with Lifetime Income Riders).

Underwriting: What Actually Happens

1. Application & health questionnaire. Expect detailed questions about conditions, surgeries, medications, ADLs, and instrumental ADLs (meal prep, shopping, managing money).
2. Phone interview & cognitive screen. Many carriers conduct a 20–30 minute interview, including memory/attention tests (e.g., word recall, serial 7s).
3. Rx database & MIB (information bureau) checks. Confirms disclosures and flags patterns (e.g., high-risk meds, multiple prescribers).
4. Attending Physician Statement (APS). Records may be requested for recent hospitalizations, specialty care, or unstable conditions.
5. Decision: approve, rate, postpone, or decline. Carriers can add a rating (higher premium) or modify benefits for risk management.

Health Conditions: Typical Buckets

Every carrier draws these lines differently. We’ll match your profile to the most favorable underwriter and product type.  Keep in mind we have Guaranteed Issue Long Term Care options as well.

How Couples Can Improve Value (and Approval Odds)

Couples should consider a shared pool of benefits—one policy pool either partner can draw from. It adds flexibility if one spouse needs extended care. See our full explainer: Long-Term Care Insurance with Shared Benefits.

Design Choices That Affect Eligibility & Price

• Benefit amount & period: Smaller daily/monthly benefits and shorter benefit periods are easier to approve and cost less; you can blend insurance with savings.
• Inflation protection: 3% compound is a common middle ground. Higher inflation boosts future value but increases premium and can make approval tougher.
• Elimination period: 90 days is a typical deductible; longer periods lower cost and can improve suitability.
• Shared benefits for couples: Powerful protection with efficient pricing; review design in the shared-benefits article linked above.

Practical Steps to Improve Approval Odds

• Apply earlier. Mid-50s to early-60s generally get better offers and easier approvals.
• Stabilize health first. Complete recommended follow-ups; demonstrate control (A1C, blood pressure, adherence).
• Medication list ready. Include dosages and prescribers; avoid last-minute changes before the interview.
• Phone interview “best time of day.” Choose when you’re rested and hydrated; use a quiet room with good reception.
• Balance & mobility. Use assistive devices as prescribed; document PT progress and fall-free periods.
• We shop multiple carriers. Underwriting appetites differ—one “no” isn’t universal.

If You Don’t Qualify for Traditional LTC

• Hybrid life/LTC: Life policy that accelerates benefits for care; often more flexible underwriting. Learn what a life exam involves on What Is a Life Insurance Exam?
• Annuity with LTC benefits: A tax-efficient approach for non-qualified money; can pair with income planning (see income-rider FIAs and Current Annuity Rates).
• Self-funding + partial coverage: Lower monthly benefit + strong inflation can hedge catastrophic risk.

Related Pages

• Long-Term Care Insurance with Shared Benefits
• Term Life Insurance Calculator
• What Is a Life Insurance Exam?
• Annuity Beneficiary & Death Benefits
• Best Fixed Indexed Annuities with Lifetime Income Riders
• Current Annuity Rates