Social/health
maintenance organizations. Modeled on one of the demonstration
sites, the plan covers $7,500 (in 1986 dollars) of long- term
care services annually. Policies are purchased if the cost is
less than 5 percent of household income. Disabled persons may
purchase policies.
Reflecting
the organizational development and enrollment barriers, only
50 percent of the elderly who can afford social/healthh maintenance
organizations actually buy policies.
Individual
medical accounts. Ninety percent of individuals at the individual
retirement account maximum contribute up to $1,000 a year to
an individual medical account to be used exclusively for long-
term care.
Home equity
conversions. All individuals and married couples with $25,000
or more in home equity take out a home equity loan at age 75.
Repayment of the loan is postponed until after the homeowner's
death, and all appreciation on the home accrues to the mortgage
company.