Long-term care financing: determining the long-term care services covered in the benefits package

Overview

Older people are heterogeneous in their health and social needs. To establish an LTC benefits package of covered services, it is important to clearly define the criteria and thresholds used in assessing an individual’s needs, link the services provided with available financing and delivery systems, and establish regular evidence-based revisions to policies and criteria. Tools for assessing an individual’s needs are critical in categorizing needs and the level of service intensity required to address these needs.