Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cover Parkinson's Disease?
LTC insurance can often cover Parkinson's disease treatments and ongoing care if you meet eligibility requirements.

Cara Carlone is a licensed P&C agent with 20 years of experience. She has her P&C license in RI and TX and holds CPCU, API, and AINS designations.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that greatly impacts movement, speech, and daily living. This disease can rapidly progress and reduce or eliminate someone's ability to take care of themselves as the condition worsens. Long-term care planning is critical for people with Parkinson's disease because medical care can be expensive for many years. Fortunately, long-term care insurance can often cover the cost of Parkinson's disease treatments.
A local independent insurance agent can help you get set up with the right long-term care insurance. They'll ensure you find a plan that includes coverage for Parkinson's disease. But first, you can use our guide on how long-term care insurance covers Parkinson's disease to learn more.
Key Takeaways - Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cover Parkinson's Disease?
- It's important to start long-term care planning early, especially if you have a family history of Parkinson's disease.
- Having Parkinson's disease doesn't automatically mean you're ineligible for LTC insurance, but your coverage options can narrow over time.
- If you buy LTC insurance before getting diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, your policy can help cover the costs of treatment and ongoing care.
- Working with an independent insurance agent is strongly recommended, as they can help you compare your LTC coverage options for Parkinson's disease and tailor a policy to meet your specific needs.
Table of Contents
Q. What Is Parkinson's Disease, and How Does It Affect Long-Term Care Needs?
Q. Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cover Parkinson's Disease?
Q. Can I Buy Long-Term Care Insurance After Being Diagnosed with Parkinson's?
Q. What Are the Long-Term Care Options for People with Parkinson's Disease?
Q. How Can Families Financially Plan for Parkinson's Care?
Q. What Should I Look for in a Long-Term Care Insurance Policy If I Have Parkinson's or a Family History of the Disease?
Q. What Financial or Coverage Alternatives Exist If I Can't Get Long-Term Care Insurance?
Q. How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help?
What Is Parkinson's Disease and How Does It Affect Long-Term Care Needs?
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that, over time, can greatly affect a person's mobility, independence, speech, and daily activities. People with Parkinson's often need a lot of assistance with daily living, including dressing, bathing, toileting, and other routine activities necessary for survival. Common long-term care options for people with Parkinson's disease include home health aides, assisted living facilities, and nursing home care.
Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cover Parkinson's Disease?
It depends on your policy, but in many cases, yes, long-term care (LTC) insurance can cover Parkinson's disease treatment and care. Whether you have coverage for this disease depends on the specifics of your policy's terms. You might also be ineligible to receive coverage for this disease if you're diagnosed before getting insurance, as many policies won't cover pre-existing conditions. That's why it can be helpful to work with an independent insurance agent to get set up with long-term care insurance before a diagnosis occurs.
Can I Buy Long-Term Care Insurance After Being Diagnosed with Parkinson's?
Sometimes, but not usually. Unfortunately, many LTC insurance policies exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, including Parkinson's disease. Luckily, there are several alternatives to LTC insurance to help pay for the costs of treatment, including hybrid life insurance policies with LTC coverage riders. You may also be able to pay for your treatment with a personal savings account, health savings account, or retirement fund.
Short-term care or health insurance policies might be able to help cover some of your costs as well. Depending on your income, family size, and eligibility, Medicaid might also help cover some of the expenses associated with Parkinson's disease care. An independent insurance agent can help you evaluate your LTC coverage options if you have Parkinson's disease.
What Are the Long-Term Care Options for People with Parkinson's Disease?
People with Parkinson's disease have several options for long-term care, including hiring home care professionals like home health aides and skilled nurses. There are also community and assisted living facilities and nursing homes that can care for people with Parkinson's.
When choosing the right LTC option for you, consider the cost differences between these services. Community and assisted living facilities can be the most affordable option, while nursing homes can be the most expensive.
Average monthly cost of long-term care services in 2025
| In-home care | Community and assisted living | Nursing home care |
|---|---|---|
| $6,292-$6,483 | $2,167 - $5,900 | $9,277 - $10,646 |
Overall, the average cost of long-term care services can range from just over $2,000 per month to well over $10,000. Of course, cost isn't the only factor to consider when choosing the right LTC option for you. You'll also need to evaluate the types of treatment and services available from each and which would provide you with the best quality of life.
How Can Families Financially Plan for Parkinson's Care?
Planning for LTC for Parkinson's disease can involve consulting a financial advisor and an independent insurance agent. Financial advisors can help you establish savings accounts and investments to set aside funds that can pay for Parkinson's care.
Independent insurance agents can help you find affordable long-term care insurance or life insurance with LTC riders to help cover the costs of your Parkinson's treatment and long-term care services. Keep in mind that a portion of long-term care insurance premiums can also be tax-deductible if you meet certain income requirements.
What Should I Look for in a Long-Term Care Insurance Policy If I Have Parkinson's or a Family History of the Disease?
Some features of an LTC insurance policy to review include the elimination period, daily benefit amount, inflation protection, and coverage provided for in-home care. An independent insurance agent can help you review all of these features with you to find the best policy. You'll need to ensure your LTC insurance includes a high enough daily benefit to pay for either an assisted living facility or in-home care.
An independent insurance agent can also help you find an LTC insurance policy from an insurance company that has greater experience in coverage for neurological conditions. These agents have access to several of the best long-term care insurance companies, and they know which ones have a reputation for providing quality Parkinson's LTC coverage.
What Financial or Coverage Alternatives Exist If I Can't Get Long-Term Care Insurance?
Fortunately, even if you don't qualify for long-term care insurance because you already have Parkinson's disease or a family history of the illness, there are a few alternatives that can help you pay for care, including Medicaid and state programs if you meet the eligibility requirements. Medicaid comes with strict eligibility requirements that cap your monthly allowed income based on your family size. It's critical to be aware of these restrictions in your area before applying for Medicaid, as requirements vary by state.
Hybrid life insurance with LTC coverage riders can also help you pay for Parkinson's treatment and ongoing care. You might also qualify for veterans' benefits that can help pay for LTC. Additionally, annuities sometimes offer long-term care benefits that could help cover Parkinson's disease. An independent insurance agent can help you weigh all your options for Parkinson's LTC coverage if you don't qualify for traditional long-term care insurance.
How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help?
Independent insurance agents can help you find the right long-term care insurance to help you pay for long-term care for Parkinson's disease. These agents have access to multiple LTC insurance companies, so they're free to shop and compare policy options and quotes for you. And down the road, your agent can help you file LTC insurance claims and update your coverage when necessary.
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