In long-term care (LTC) insurance, the elimination period is the number of days a claimant must meet benefit triggers before reimbursement starts. It may be service-day or calendar-day based and interacts with daily benefit and policy maximums. Choosing an appropriate period affects premium and out-of-pocket exposure during initial care. Advisors align the period with client resources and expected care setting.

LTC illustrations compare premiums for 0-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day elimination periods. Clients with strong savings often select longer periods to reduce cost, while others prefer shorter waits for home care. Claims teams verify that triggers are met and that days are counted correctly under the policy's definitions before paying benefits.