A New Option for Long-Term Care Costs

Washington state's WA Cares program, the nation’s first state-operated long-term care insurance, began distributing benefits in July 2023. Funded by a 0.58% payroll tax surcharge, it offers lifetime benefits of up to $36,500 for those contributing for 10 years. The program aims to address gaps in Medicare and Medicaid coverage for long-term care, with 3.7 million workers participating in 2023.