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About Phyllis

Thank you for your interest in long term care insurance. We are committed to educating Americans about the importance of long term care planning - one of the biggest threats to your life savings. Creating your plan now is an important step to securing your financial future. We are so glad you are here!

Phyllis Shelton is Suze Orman's go-to person for long-term care insurance. Buy what you can afford, but whatever the insurance pays is that much that doesn’t come out of your retirement savings.

Our Impact

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"Tobe has been outstanding to work with in her knowledge and professionalism. She makes a very complicated topic understandable and took the time to walk me through each part of the process. She was very prompt in getting back to me and made sure that no question went unanswered."

Georgene Q., TX

"My specialist reviewed my current LTC policy and helped to me to see that I have a good one. Not once did she try to sell me anything. That speaks volumes about her integrity as a long term care insurance advisor! I will definitely be recommending Honey to anyone wanting to open a long term care policy."

Pat

"Linda is very wise and detail-oriented, which I appreciate. She was very thorough and helped explain things to me in laymen’s terms. I just felt so much better after talking to her. She was very patient with all my many questions. I even called her again another day with more questions and she took my call after working hours. I feel more confident in my information gathering and decision."

Diane S.

"Honey really cares about getting clients the best possible policy for them. Her friendliness and willingness to answer my many questions made this process easy. Something I have needed to do for quite some time turned out to be easy. I also feel confident that if I need Honey in the future she will be there for me."

Robin, U., OH

"Just wanted to let you know how impressed I continue to be with the outstanding service Diane Stoddart has provided me. Her responsiveness is excellent; her answers to my questions are always thorough and complete; and she presents the topics with clarity for easy understanding. 10/10 for great service!"

Susan L., CA
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"Rhonda was very helpful, and gave me plenty to think about. She was organized in her presentation. And she explained things very simply."

Linda B, NC

"Tobe provided a lot of great information. I am glad you told us about the international coverage aspects for US long term care policies."

Anonymous, OR

"Honey took many hours of her time holding our hands and supporting us on this journey of purchasing long term care that best fit our needs. It provided reassurance and peace of mind whenever I think about the future and when we are getting old. That was really meaningful to me."

Yan J., MD

"Rhonda is amazing and really helped me understand this process from start to finish, seamlessly."

Gina G., IL

"My specialist is so polite and helpful. She asked the necessary questions and then spent time researching what type of policy and what company would work best for me. We used phone conversations, email, and Zoom meetings; all of which were helpful. She explained each step in the process. As in all businesses insurance has their own language and she made sure I understood all vocabulary and aspects of my policy. I feel that she found a policy that will help keep me out of a traditional nursing home (which is a concern of mine). Already, knowing I have this policy in place is giving me peace of mind."

Robin, U., OH

"My LTC discussion with Renee in one word was superb. She listened to my needs, finances and is exploring plans that might be available to me for my limited budget. I am very thankful to her and would highly recommend Renee to anyone who would like to explore LTC."

Linda M., NY

"Linda is extremely knowledgeable, experienced in this field, and so very patient with my lack of computer skills. I look forward to working with Linda to resolve my questions and get my long term plans finalized. As a single woman crossing into the world of aging, I now feel like I have someone who truly understands my concerns. Thank you again for doing what you do."

Rose W., VA

Phyllis, you may remember that you were very helpful and generous to me when I was contemplating buying an insurance product with an inflation-protected long term care benefit. I just wanted to let you know that I am now the owner of the policy we discussed - it's very expensive but you helped me understand why it is well worth the money.

Barbara R., NY
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About Long Term Care Insurance

What is Long Term Care insurance (LTCi)?

Long-term care insurance is coverage that pays for nursing-home care, home health care, care in an assisted living facility, or personal or adult daycare for individuals with a chronic or disabling condition that needs constant supervision. LTC insurance may offer more flexibility and choice of providers compared to public assistance programs, such as Medicaid.

At what age should I purchase long term care insurance?

This is always one of the questions we are asked the most and the answer is not as simple as the question may sound. Many people wait to purchase LTCi until the ages of 40 to 65, and some purchase after they have had a personal experience with a family member who required care.

However, the sooner you decide that long term care planning is right for you, the more options you generally have and the more affordable the coverage. That’s not to say that people at older ages don’t have options. A good long term care specialist can help you determine what is available for your situation.

Is Long Term Care costly?

Long term care insurance may be more affordable than you think. There is a range of options depending on your needs and your budget. A long term care specialist may be able to help your find a plan that is right for your circumstances.

What type of monthly or annual premiums can I expect in the future?

The beauty of creating a long term care plan is that the cost of insurance can be tailored to your budget. That means that long term care insurance may be more affordable than you think. The key is to understand how much total insurance benefits you are receiving for your premiums in the future when you are most likely to use the coverage.

We find many clients paying as little as a few hundred dollars in premiums or less per month. However, more often clients will buy more coverage if the product value is expected to cover the cost of care more fully. It even makes great financial sense to pay higher premiums now but pay over fewer years with a limited pay policy, so that you can pre-pay or lock in the rates.

The best way to understand what is best for your situation is to calculate your total premiums and compare to your total policy benefits in the long run.

Is there protection against inflation?

Yes. Many policies offer compound inflation protection as an added rider to the policy. Inflation protection options may be higher or lower depending on what the carrier offers and what you feel you can afford.

Inflation growth is important because, given the shortage and cost of quality care providers, we expect that the cost of care will continue to increase faster than general inflation.

What is the minimum and maximum policy you can purchase?

That depends on your own situation and what you want to achieve with your long term care plan. As a general rule, you will first want to do an analysis of your needs and the cost of care today and in the future with inflation. Genworth has a popular cost of care survey.

Most people choose between $3,000-$9,000 per month as a starting point ($100-$300 per day) depending on their budget for insurance and the cost of care. Then, they determine if they want the benefits to grow and how many years of coverage they desire. Often, these choices are based on how attractive is the pricing of the insurance along with personal experiences in their own family with long term care needs and the quality of care they desire.

For those willing and able to pay out of pocket, insurance can be a supplement to self-funding. The best insurance plan for you is one that you can afford over the long term.

When would I receive benefits?

Each carrier has different criteria but in general a policyholder would begin to receive benefits when they are unable to perform at least 2 of 6 activities of daily living (ADLs) or they require substantial assistance due to a serious cognitive impairment.

Is Long Term Care Insurance portable if I retire in a different state or country?

Yes. Private long term care insurance offers national – and in some cases, international – portability of your benefits. Be sure to let your specialist know of your retirement plans, and he or she will find you a plan that will follow you.

What are the advantages of LTCi compared to self-funding?

The cost of care in the future can quickly drain your savings. Insurance can help leverage that by offering a larger pool of funds.

Some plans even offer a death benefit that pays a beneficiary if you do not use your coverage.

While researching your LTCi options, you will be matched with an LTCi specialist with years of experience to help guide you to the best plan for your dollar. The consultations are complementary.

LTCi policies may provide:

  • A much greater pool of benefit dollars in the future to supplement the high cost of care
  • Longer duration of benefits
  • Options to get a return of premiums or life insurance if LTC benefits are never used
  • The ability to adjust your coverage in the future
  • Spousal discounts and discounts for being in good health
  • Coverage immediately after issue (no vesting period is required)
  • Portability to use the benefits in any state or Canada (international benefits may also be available)
  • Tax incentives, such as the ability to use your Health Savings Account (HSA), tax deductibility for business owners, and tax-free benefits

Can I use my HSA to fund my long term care insurance premiums?

HSA funds can be used to pay LTCi premiums.

  • You may be able to contribute pre-tax dollars into your HSA up to annual limit.
  • You may be able to pay the premium and request reimbursement from your HSA administrator for you or your spouse each year up to an annual age-based limit.

How do I use my business to fund my LTCi premiums?

  • Business paid LTCi premiums may be a tax-deductible business expense as health insurance for employees and spouses.
  • Self-employed business owners may also be able to deduct LTCi premiums on their individual tax returns up to an annual age-based limit.
  • Owners can select which executives or employees to include in the LTCi program.
  • LTCi benefits are generally received tax-free even after the tax deduction.

I want to consider my options. What's next?

  • By filling out the form below, you can meet remotely with an LTCi specialist with years of experience for free to help guide you to the best plan for your dollar.
  • Our LTC specialist community is here to help. Long term care planning may be one of the most meaningful things you can do for your family to protect them from becoming unintended caregivers.

What is BuddyIns?

BuddyIns is a community of experienced long term care specialists dedicated to helping you find the right plan for you and your family. There is no extra cost for our services, and our specialists are happy to answer your questions regardless of whether you purchase a private long term care insurance plan.

Other Videos Featuring Phyllis Shelton

long term care insurance Strategies

Other Videos Featuring Phyllis Shelton
Long Term Care State Payroll Tax Update

Updated July 30, 2025

This update is intended for our community of LTC planning advocates and insurance practitioners to stay up-to-date on the latest legislative news regarding [...]

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Get the inside scoop on the latest in LTC funding solutions and strategies. BuddyIns and Amada Senior Care will present strategies that have helped them grow relationships and strengthen business initiatives.

And speaking of winning teams, because the XXXIII Olympiad is just a few short weeks away, we will hear from our special guest, Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Fame inductee, Wendy Boglioli, who will share some inside scoop for Team USA: how to watch the Olympics, who to watch in swimming and beyond, and what the athletes do in the weeks leading up to the events.

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Phyllis Shelton is the President of Got LTCi, part of a long-term care insurance outreach that she founded in 1991. She is widely considered to be the leading long-term care insurance sales trainer in the country.

Her book, Protecting Your Family with Long-Term Care Insurance, provides cutting edge information about all phases of financing long-term care. Suze Orman says “Long-term care insurance for many is the most important insurance you can buy if you can afford it. Phyllis Shelton is the only person I trust to keep me up to date on what I need to know. Read this book.”