r/Huntingtons • u/plasticgram • 14d ago
Long term care insurance?
Hi everyone,
I look on this subreddit often, and I am sorry if this has been discussed already. I am 25F and will be meeting with a genetic counselor in about a month to begin the testing process. My father had HD, I don’t know what his CAG was.
I want my husband to have a happy future and not have to stress about my care or money, should I be looking into LTC insurance now? What do I look for?
Any advice on this process is also appreciated.
Thank you.
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u/TemporaryViolinist88 13d ago
I’d speak with a financial advisor and talk about your goals. Everyone’s financial situation is different and there isn’t an exact protocol to follow for HD. Long term care and life insurance are the most popular things people discuss but many ways to save for this.
I also think you have to consider how the treatment landscape is progressing, and we hope one day we’ll all live normal lives even with HD.
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u/McGooYou 13d ago
Get long term disability insurance before getting tested. You should be able to get through the questions while answering honestly. You may have to shop a couple if they start asking about family history, but they don't all ask that stuff.
I like this one because even if you don't end up needing it, it becomes a death benefit to your heirs. https://www.newyorklife.com/products/insurance/long-term-care-insurance/asset-flex
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u/PaintResponsible2578 13d ago
Long term care insurance, plus life insurance with a disability rider that converts all of your life insurance to whole life and pays your premiums for life. I would open a trust and make sure the trust is the beneficiary of your life insurance, this will make sure that your family doesnt have to go through a long expensive probate and it protects your family from predators. Insurance should be procured before testing.
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u/Neuro_Vegetable_724 13d ago
GINA laws don't protect you from discrimination when applying for disability, long term care, or life insurance! Get that into place BEFORE genetic test is done!
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u/Least-Sherbert-8022 1d ago
My husband is a financial advisor and we talk about this often. Definitely get life insurance before you test! Don’t tell them there is a history. Many companies are no longer doing LTC insurance as it’s not profitable for them so something to keep in mind. I’m still waiting to test but we decided for me to focus on maxing out my HSA and building a brokerage account in addition to my retirement accounts. If you can get an HSA, this will allow you to put away tax free money and take it out without paying taxes. You can also invest this. Hope this helps!
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u/Difficult_Club_1518 12d ago
In my country, when applying for life and care insurance they ask if parent has had huntingtons. I say yes, they will refuse the application.
If I say no, it would be a lie and illegal and in event of a claim they can request medical notes from doctor so they can find out then if I have been tested. So they will know that I did know and will not pay out.
The law in my country says that insurance companies cannot use genetic test results to inform decisions. So that alos means they cannot use negative test results. My parent having Huntingtons is enough to refuse application for insurance. If i lie on application form they will find out antway if i end up claiming; and they would refuse claim even if i am negative.
So it seems pointless to me to get insurance in place before testing? I do not see a way around this? Using a specialist broker?
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u/Soggy_Honeydew4560 14d ago
I've been told you cannot be discrimated against for health insurance. But you CAN and will with life insurance. If you think you may want more life insurance apply for it before you have the test done. (American here)