An Ohio long-term care policy pays benefits only after the insured is institutionalized. Under Ohio rules, what is the longest prior institutional stay the policy may require before benefits become payable?

Why D is correct

Under ORC 3923.44 and OAC 3901-4-01, a long-term care policy that provides benefits only after institutionalization may not require a prior institutional stay of more than 30 days. This prevents insurers from using extended prior-stay requirements to delay or avoid paying otherwise covered confinement benefits. The Ohio Department of Insurance enforces this limit as a core consumer protection in LTC policy design.

Why the other options are wrong

• A) 90 days exceeds the maximum prior-stay requirement Ohio permits for institutionalization-only benefits.
• B) 6 months is far beyond the statutory ceiling and would unlawfully delay benefits.
• C) 10 days describes neither a required nor a maximum prior stay; the limit is expressed as a maximum of 30 days.

Memory hook

Prior stay cap: 30 days, no more — institutional-only policies must keep the door open.

Why A is correct

ORC 3923.44 provides that a long-term care policy may not require a prior institutional stay of more than 30 days as a condition of benefits, and may not condition benefits on readmission within less than 30 days after discharge. The rule prevents issuers from structuring so-called institutionalization triggers that effectively delay or deny long-term care benefits to Ohio policyholders.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) 10 days is not the statutory cap; the prior-stay limit in ORC 3923.44 is 30 days.
• C) 90 days exceeds the statutory maximum a policy may impose; 30 days is the ceiling.
• D) Disclosure does not override the statute; the 30-day prior-stay cap applies regardless of what the outline says.

Memory hook

Prior stay demands cap out at 30 days.