News...
August 30, 2007

State Kicks Off Long-Term Care Partnership
Program Education Efforts

PIERRE, S.D. – Most people do not like to think about the fact that they may one day need nursing home, assisted living or other long-term care services. Most people are also surprised at the costs of long-term care and do not think of having to use their entire life savings to pay for those needs and services. The reality is that about two-thirds of all Americans will likely need some type of supportive services after age 65.

Some common questions people ask are:

  • Doesn’t the government pay for people to take care of me at home or in the nursing home?
  • Isn’t that what health insurance or disability insurance is for?
  • How can I plan ahead to take care of my own long-term care needs?
  • Now you can get answers to these questions and others through education sessions offered by the State of South Dakota on the recently implemented Long-Term Care Partnership Program.

The Long-Term Care Partnership Program is a public-private partnership offering individuals quality, affordable long-term care insurance. Once private insurance benefits are used, special Medicaid eligibility rules are applied if additional coverage is necessary.

Starting in September, the State of South Dakota will visit over 40 different communities to educate and inform citizens about long-term care, the costs related to it, what Medicare and Medicaid will cover and how the Long-Term Care Partnership Program can help. The education sessions are free and open to the public; below are the times, dates and locations for the month of September. Each session is scheduled for one hour and all times below are Standard Central Time.

  • HARRISBURG: Sunday, September 16, 2007
    Location: Shalom Lutheran Church, Social Hall, 1000 Maple Street
    Time: Session will be held at noon.
  • SIOUX FALLS: Monday, September 17, 2007
    Location: YWCA, downtown location, 300 W. 11th Street
    Time: Sessions will be held at 9 a.m., noon and 6 p.m.
  • MADISON: Tuesday, September 18, 2007
    Location: Madison Community Hospital, 917 N. Washington
    Time: Sessions will be held at 9 a.m., noon and 5:30 p.m.
  • BROOKINGS: Wednesday, September 19, 2007
    Location: Brookings Public Library, 515 3rd Street
    Time: Sessions will be held at 9 a.m., noon and 5:30 p.m.
  • WATERTOWN: Thursday, September 20, 2007
    Location: Watertown Public Library, 160 6th Street NE
    Time: Sessions will be held at 9 a.m., noon and 5:30 p.m. 
  • MILBANK: Friday, September 21, 2007
    Location: Milbank Area Chamber of Commerce, Community Room, 1001 E. 4th Ave.
    Time: Sessions will be held at 9 a.m., noon and 5:30 p.m.

If you are unable to attend an education session, free educational conference calls are also available by calling Heather at 605-336-1745.

The State of South Dakota has also launched a new website with specific information about the South Dakota Long-Term Care Partnership Program. This site provides citizens with the most up-to-date information available on the Partnership Program in South Dakota. It also contains the history of the Partnership Program, a message from Governor Rounds, frequently asked questions, planning for long-term care, the costs of long-term care, how to purchase a Partnership policy and much more.

For more information on the South Dakota Long-Term Care Partnership Program, please visit the official website or contact Emily Currey at 605-773-3165 or Emily.Currey@state.sd.us.

Media Note: View the press kit.