Explanations of the words and phrases used by Medicare are in the Medicare Glossary.

Q

Qualified Long-Term Care Services — Defined by federal law, these are necessary diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, curing, treating, mitigating, and rehabilitative services, and maintenance or personal care services, that are required by a chronically ill individual, and are provided pursuant to a plan of care prescribed by a licensed health care practitioner. Maintenance or personal care services means any care the primary purpose of which is to provide needed assistance with any of the disabilities as a result of which the individual is a chronically ill individual (including the protection from threats to health and safety due to severe cognitive impairment).

R

Reduced Paid-up Benefits — This is one of the options you have if your long-term care insurance policy has been in force for a sufficient period of time. It entitles you to a nonforfeiture benefit if you let the policy lapse. Instead of cancelling the policy, the nonforfeiture benefit allows you to keep it in force as a paid-up policy. Nonforfeiture benefits vary from policy-to-policy; they usually include (1) keeping the same benefit amounts, but making the benefit period shorter, or (2) keeping the same benefit period, but with reduced benefit amounts.

Reinstatement — If a long-term care insurance policy lapses as a result of the insured person’s cognitive impairment, it can usually be reinstated in most states retroactive to the date of lapse as though no lapse occurred, with no application required for reinstatement. The request for reinstatement must be made to the insurance company within six months following the date of lapse; the insurance company’s requirements for cognitive impairment must be met; and all past due premiums must be paid.

Rescind — When the insurance company voids (cancels) a policy retroactive to its effective date. Legally, it is though the policy was never issued.

Residential Care Facility — A generic term for a group home, specialized apartment complex or other institution that provides care services where individuals live. The term is used to refer to a range of residential care options including assisted living facilities, board and care homes and skilled nursing facilities. For more information, click on Assisted Living.

Respite Care — Temporary care provided by someone else while their usual caregivers take an occasional break from their caregiving responsibilities. Respite care can be provided at home, in the community (e.g., adult day centers or special respite programs). Or, if you would like to go on a longer vacation with your family, many nursing home and assisted living residences offer overnight 24-hour-a-day respite services.

Revocable Trust — A trust in which a Grantor reserves the right to revoke or change. To protect the final wishes of the Grantor, a trust can become irrevocable upon the death of the Grantor.

Rheumatologist — A physician who specializes in treating problems with joints, muscles, bones or tendons. These include arthritis and lupus.

Rider — An addition to an insurance policy that changes the provisions of the policy.

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