Texas

America’s Health Rankings, a compilation of reports by the United Health Foundation, shows that Texas has a significantly lower rate of cancer deaths than other states. Binge-drinking among Texas residents fell from 18.9% to 16.2% in 2012.

However, obesity and physical inactivity remain as top concerns for the country’s second most-populous state. Around 5.4 million people, or nearly 30% of the entire adult population, were reported to be obese in 2013. The number of physically inactive individuals was not far behind from those who were obese, as 27% of Texas’ adults preferred a sedentary lifestyle.

Obesity and physical activity increase the risk of getting heart disease, which was responsible for the most ailment-related fatalities in 2010. Over 38,000 died of heart disease in that year.

Texas also succeeded in minimizing hospital admissions. The state saw a 29% decrease of preventable hospitalizations among its Medicare beneficiaries within the last 5 years. However, one of the state’s biggest issues is the residents’ lack of insurability for health care and long term care. According to 2013 data from the United Health Foundation, nearly one-fourth of Texas’ population did not own health insurance.

 

Cost of Care

Below are the average daily cost* of long term care services in Texas.

City Nursing Facility1 Assisted Living1 Adult Day Care2 Home Health Aide3
Austin $215 $131 $70 $114
Dallas/Fort Worth $208 $131 $58 $114
Houston $208 $111 $47 $108
San Antonio $198 $121 $34 $114

Notes:

*Costs are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
1Daily average for a private room.
2Based on five days of care per week.
3Based on six hours of care per day, five days per week.

 

Insurance Options

Genworth began marketing its newer long term care insurance product, known as Privileged Choice Flex 2, to citizens of Texas on July 1, 2013. The product’s perks over its predecessor include the 4% Compound Inflation Protection, reductions in Future Purchase Option, and lower Maximum Issue Age. Moreover, siblings cannot qualify as a couple in order to take advantage of benefits.

On August 12, 2013, Transamerica unveiled its TransCare III LTCI product, which was sold in 36 states including Texas. The quoting process started nearly one month later. TransCare III comes with riders such as the Elimination Period Credit and Tailored Benefit Increase Option.

Texas was among one of the states where MedAmerica imposed some revisions to the preferred health and marital discounts of its FlexCare LTCI product. The changes took place on October 28, 2013, and varied depending on per-state regulation.

Insurance companies that sell LTCI policies under the Partnership program include Bankers Life, Genworth, John Hancock, Lifesecure, Massachusetts Mutual Life, Transamerica, and United of Omaha. Aspiring policyholders may also buy from Aetna Life, Mutual of Omaha, and Northwestern Mutual.

 

State Long Term Care Programs

Residents of Texas may apply for Medicare Part A to get skilled care in a nursing facility or home health care. The latter option is also available in Medicare Part B, which covers laboratory services, health check-ups, and medical provisions.

Meanwhile, the state’s Medicaid only pays for assisted living services through a waiver program that comes with a waiting period. The waiver program also applies to Medicaid’s home health care in Texas. This home-based coverage generally does not exceed two months. In addition, Texas offers the health program’s coverage through the Federally-facilitated Marketplace.

Over 1 million individuals in Texas qualify for Medicaid benefits but are uninsured. The state government decided to reform its Medicaid first before proceeding with the health program’s expansion.

 

More Resources

To get more specific information regarding long term care services and insurance options in Texas, please check the following websites:

Texas Department of Insurance

Provides resources and hotlines for help with getting insured for long term care.

Own Your Future initiative

Informs about long term care, along with LTC insurance coverage and the Partnership program.

 

Compare Plan Options in Texas

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