Retirement & Annuities Tools · 2026
Long-Term Care Cost Calculator
Choose a care type and number of years to see a projected cost range based on national median long-term care costs — Medicare generally does not cover this kind of ongoing custodial care.
This is a hypothetical illustration for education only — not investment, tax, or financial advice, and not a guarantee of future performance. Any guarantees referenced are backed solely by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company, not by any government agency or Hougom Insurance Agency.
Questions, answered
Does Medicare pay for long-term care?
Generally no. Medicare covers only limited, short-term skilled-nursing care after a qualifying hospital stay — not the ongoing custodial care (help with bathing, dressing, eating) that most long-term care involves. That gap is what long-term care planning addresses.
Where do these cost figures come from?
The national median annual costs are from the Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey, 2024 data — the latest published as of this writing. Actual costs vary significantly by state, region, and specific provider.
What does the inflation assumption do?
It's optional. Long-term care costs have historically risen faster than general inflation in many years. Leaving it at 0% shows today's costs held flat across your selected years; entering a percentage compounds the annual cost forward, year over year.
How many years of care should I plan for?
There's no single answer — needs vary widely by individual health and circumstances. Many people use 2 to 4 years as a planning range, but some need much less and some need much more.
What are my options for paying for long-term care?
Common approaches include traditional long-term care insurance, hybrid life insurance/LTC policies, annuity-based options, and self-funding from savings. See our long-term care planning page for a walkthrough of the trade-offs.
Ready to plan for long-term care costs?
A local licensed advisor can walk through long-term care insurance, hybrid life/LTC policies, and annuity options for your situation — free, no pressure. See our long-term care planning page for the full picture.