Managed long term care plans (MLTC) were created to provide integrated access to home and community based health services and supports for those requiring long term care.

The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that about 9 million American men and women over the age of 65 needed long term care in 2006, with the number expected to jump to 27 million by 2050.

Long term care is offered to those who can no longer perform everyday tasks or activities of daily living by themselves due to a chronic illness, injury, disability or as a result of the aging process.

As the need for these services continue to grow, MLTC plans have accordingly aligned a coordinated delivery of care that includes care management, personal care assistance, home health care, transportation, a network of providers and hospitals, and more; all under one plan.

Health care professionals such as a nurse, home health aide, social worker or therapist are bridging the gap to care by offering assistance with tasks such as bathing, dressing, cooking and eating, rehabilitation therapies such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, or nutritional counseling and social or environmental support.

The pivotal goal of MLTC is to improve the quality of life for an individual. One of the most important benefits of the MLTC Plan is having a personal Care Manager who will work with members to seek and coordinate solutions to meet their health and long term care goals, while working hand-in hand with their physicians, caregivers and family.

If you or a loved one need long term care, visit Department of Health for a list of plans in your area.