Washington State
WA Cares Fund vs. Private Long-Term Care Insurance
The WA Cares Fund is a helpful starting point—but for most families it's a fraction of what a real care event costs. Here's how the two compare, and how they can work together.
Understand the Gap
WA Cares provides roughly $36,500 in lifetime benefits. A single year of memory care in Seattle can exceed $140,000.
Know Your Protection
Private policies offer six- and seven-figure pools of benefits, home-care flexibility, and true portability if you move.
Use Both When It Fits
Many Washington families keep WA Cares as a baseline and add a right-sized private policy for real protection.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | WA Cares Fund | Private LTC Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime Benefit | ~$36,500 (indexed) | $300K–$1M+ depending on policy |
| Portability out of WA | Limited — must meet residency rules | Fully portable nationwide |
| Underwriting | None — payroll-tax funded | Health underwriting required |
| Who Pays | 0.58% payroll tax on WA workers | You (premiums or single-pay) |
| Care Setting | In-home, facility, adult family home | In-home, assisted living, nursing |
| Inflation Protection | Adjusted by state formula | Choose 3–5% compound or level |
Figures are illustrative; WA Cares benefits are indexed and subject to legislative change.
WA Cares questions
The WA Cares lifetime benefit is roughly $36,500, indexed over time. Private long-term care policies are typically written for $300,000 to $1,000,000+ of benefit, depending on the design you choose.
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