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Questions and Answers about the CLASS Act Program
The CLASS program, the Community Living Assistance Services and Support Act, was a component of the 2010 Affordable Care Act designed to provide benefits for long term care through private insurance. But many have questions regarding the specifics of this program. Below, we've provided a basic Q&A about the CLASS program details.
What will CLASS benefits cover?
CLASS is designed to provide insurance policies for future long term care costs. The program will provide a daily benefit of approximately $75 per day to help a senior citizen or disabled individual pay for assistance with their activities of daily living, such as bathing, eating or meal preparation.
So CLASS pays for a nursing home?
CLASS is designed to help individuals stay in their homes longer rather than entering a nursing home. The benefits may be used to pay for a home health aide to come in daily, to help defray the costs of an assisted living facility or to help pay for nursing home care, should that be a more appropriate living situation.
Who is eligible for CLASS?
You must be working full-time or part-time to be eligible for a CLASS insurance policy. In order to be fully 'vested' in the program, an individual must have paid premiums for five years, and of those five years, they must have been working at least three; again, this could be either full-time or part-time.
How much is a CLASS policy?
The details are still being worked out. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will be rolling out the specifics over the next year, but initial estimates have the monthly premium averaging $123 and paying out a daily benefit of $50 - $75.
What if I can't find a policy because of my health conditions or age?
CLASS policies cannot make decisions based on pre-existing conditions. In fact, age will be the only factor in determining the policy cost, but you must be employed, either full-time or part-time, to purchase a CLASS policy.
When can I enroll in the CLASS program?
Details from Health and Human Services are still coming out, and we should know more in 2011. Basically, the program is expected to begin enrollment in 2013.
* You may be able to get extra help to pay for your prescription drug premiums and costs. To see if you qualify for getting extra help, call:
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY/TDD users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/7 days a week;
The Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY/TDD users should call, 1-800-325-0778; or Your State Medicaid Office
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