Financial Security Built for Those Who Serve in California

Long-term care (LTC) insurance covers the cost of extended care services — home health aides, assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing facilities — when a chronic illness, disability, or aging limits your ability to perform basic daily activities. For California civil servants, this matters because Medicare covers only up to 100 days of skilled nursing care after a hospital stay, and covers almost none of the custodial care that represents over 90% of real long-term care needs. Without a dedicated LTC plan, those costs fall directly on your retirement savings or your family.

CalPERS suspended new enrollment in its Long-Term Care Program in June 2020 due to premium volatility and rising costs — and that suspension remains in place. As of 2026, CalPERS is conducting market research to explore partnerships with private insurers, but no new program is available yet. That gap is exactly why independent, private LTC coverage through Core Benefits is so important for civil servants who want guaranteed, predictable protection now — not whenever a government program reopens.

Care costs vary significantly by region and type of care. In Los Angeles and other major California metro areas, costs are among the highest in the nation. A private room in a skilled nursing facility can exceed $12,000 per month, while home health aide services typically run $5,000–$8,000 per month. Assisted living averages around $5,000–$7,000 per month in the Los Angeles area. Locking in a policy while you're younger and in good health is the most cost-effective way to protect against these expenses.

Most civil servants become eligible for Medicare at age 65, regardless of whether they retire or continue working. If you're enrolled in a CalPERS health plan in retirement, you'll typically need to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B when eligible — CalPERS Medicare plans coordinate with Medicare as the primary payer. Understanding when and how to enroll, which plan to choose, and how to avoid penalties is critical. Core Benefits specializes in guiding California civil servants through this transition so you don't leave benefits on the table or get hit with unnecessary costs.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is federal coverage that lets you see any doctor who accepts Medicare anywhere in the country. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is offered by private insurers and typically operates like an HMO or PPO with a network of providers, often including additional benefits like dental or vision. For California civil servants already in CalPERS retirement health plans, the interaction between your CalPERS Medicare plan and original Medicare matters greatly. We help you compare options side-by-side so you choose what's right for your situation.

Yes. If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period (generally a 7-month window around your 65th birthday) and don't have qualifying coverage, you may face a permanent 10% premium penalty on Part B for every 12-month period you were late. Part D (prescription drug) has a similar penalty. Civil servants covered by active employer health plans may be exempt while still working, but the rules are specific. We help you navigate enrollment windows so you never face unnecessary penalties.