A new qualitative study conducted by researchers at Yale University outlines the reasons why many people opt not to purchase long-term care insurance.
Many states are seeking to offset rising Medicaid costs in a variety of ways; including providing incentives for individuals to purchase long-term care insurance on their own. The assumption has been that long-term care insurance can be an effective tool for long-term care planning because it provides a predictable and affordable premium and protection against potentially catastrophic financial loss. Despite the economic rationale for obtaining long-term care insurance, there has only been a very modest demand for it from consumers. This new research calls this assumption into question.
Utilizing in-depth interviewing and focus groups, the Yale researchers outlined the motives behind the decision not to purchase long-term care insurance. Affordability does figure into the decision-making; however it is far from being the only motivating factor.
Most respondents do find the long-term care premiums “too costly”, but these costs are not entirely economic in nature. Non-purchasers are skeptical about the integrity and viability of private insurance companies and often distrust the information that publishes about their plans. As a consequence, potential purchasers fill uninformed and sometimes overwhelmed by the decision-making process related to long-term care. Next, family dynamics are taken into account when weighing long-term care options; where those with available caregivers being more likely to opt against purchase. Finally, the decision-making process regarding long-term care actually triggers psychological responses that lead many respondents to opt against even thinking about the possibility of long-term disability later in life.
For groups looking to promote long-term care insurance, these researchers recommend looking beyond the purely economic risks of long-term care. Social and psychological considerations must be made. For example, in a social atmosphere where insurance companies do not share widespread legitimacy and trust, people will opt against utilizing their services.
Source:
Curry, L., Robinson, J, Shugrue, N., et al. 2009. Individual decision-making in the non-purchase of long-term care insurance. The Gerontologist 49(4): 560-569.
