In long-term care insurance, the period during which benefits are paid is called the

• A. Lifetime limit
• B. Policy term
• C. Benefit period
• D. Coverage period

Answer: (C)

Benefit period is the length of time benefits will be paid once qualified long‑term care begins. LTC policies set a daily benefit amount and a benefit period you choose at purchase—commonly 2, 3, 5 years, or a lifetime. After you start receiving benefits, payments continue for that defined period (subject to any elimination period that starts the payments). If your care lasts longer than the selected period, benefits may stop unless the policy provides additional lifetime coverage or similar provisions.

This differs from a lifetime limit, which caps the total dollars paid over the life of the policy, not the time span of payments. The policy term refers to how long the contract itself remains in force, not how long benefits are paid. “Coverage period” isn’t the standard term used for the duration of benefits.