The elimination period in long term care insurance refers to the waiting period before the insurance benefits start to be paid out. During this period, the policyholder is responsible for covering their own long term care expenses. The length of the elimination period can vary depending on the insurance policy, but it is typically measured in days or months. The purpose of the elimination period is to prevent individuals from purchasing insurance coverage only when they are already in need of long term care services. By having a waiting period, insurance companies can ensure that policyholders have a genuine need for long term care and are not simply trying to take advantage of the insurance benefits. Once the elimination period has been satisfied, the insurance benefits will begin to be paid out according to the terms of the policy. It's important to review the specific details of your long term care insurance policy to understand the length of the elimination period and any other conditions that may apply.