You can typically purchase a long-term care policy like you would any other policy. The way reimbursement works may differ from insurer to insurer but often you may have to pay for the services for reimbursement later, according to CBS News. Insurers will likely work with you to find coverages that meet your specific needs.

Here are a few things to consider:

Daily and lifetime limits

Policies are typically designed to reimburse you for qualifying expenses, with daily and lifetime maximums, says the III. In other words, you’ll choose a daily limit for coverage and expenses outside of your chosen coverage may need to be covered by you.

One way an insurer may help you determine your daily limit is to estimate daily expenses for long-term care, then subtract how much you can comfortably pay on your own from that amount. That final number can help provide a benchmark for coverage.

Triggers

Policies typically have certain triggers that need to take place before they'll start providing coverage, says the III. One common trigger is experiencing cognitive impairment due to something like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. Another might be inability to perform two or three everyday personal care tasks because of an illness.

Waiting period

There's also typically a waiting period before an insurance company will begin paying benefits, the III says. How long benefits kick in after those triggers occur may vary from insurer to insurer, but a common standard is 90 days after you’re unable to complete about a third of your normal living activities, says CBS News. Again, those activities may include bathing, eating, toilet activities and more.

If you recover from your illness before the waiting period ends, the policy likely won't pay for expenses you may have accumulated during the waiting period.