Risky business: long-term care insurance underwriting

The underwriting of private long-term care insurance is studied based on data from the National Mortality Followback Survey. Results show that if the population applied for private long-term care insurance at age 65, about 12% to 23% of applicants will be rejected due to poor health. The number will increase to 20% to 31% for applicants aged 75. Long-term care insurance underwriting criteria also vary depending on the risks perceived by the insurers.