What constitutes "long-term care" in insurance language?

Long-term care in the context of insurance refers specifically to the services designed to support individuals who have chronic illnesses or disabilities and need assistance with daily living activities. These activities can include bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and mobility, which are essential for maintaining a person’s independence and quality of life.

This type of care goes beyond emergency medical treatments or short-term rehabilitation services, which are typically covered under other types of health insurance policies. By focusing on the ongoing provision of support for activities of daily living, long-term care insurance recognizes the significant and often prolonged assistance required by individuals who cannot function independently due to chronic health conditions.

In contrast, emergency medical interventions for acute illnesses, temporary rehabilitative services, and hospitalization costs do not address the ongoing needs of individuals requiring long-term assistance, thus falling outside the definition of long-term care.