What is a characteristic of the benefit levels under a long-term care inflation rider?

A long-term care inflation rider is designed to protect the policyholder from the rising costs of long-term care services. When the rider is included in a long-term care insurance policy, the benefit levels increase periodically to keep pace with inflation, ensuring that the coverage remains adequate over time.

The characteristic that benefit levels periodically increase without proof of insurability is important because it allows policyholders to adjust their coverage in response to inflationary pressures without needing to undergo additional health evaluations. This feature is crucial, as the health of an individual may deteriorate over time, making it difficult to obtain coverage if proof of insurability were required.

This inflation rider provides a safeguard, ensuring that the policyholder can continue to afford necessary services even as costs rise, fulfilling the intent of the coverage. The periodic increase is typically predetermined, ensuring that the premiums remain stable and predictable for the policyholder while also keeping the benefits aligned with the cost of care.