The NYS Partnership for Long-Term Care (NYSPLTC) is a unique Department of Health program combining private long-term care insurance and Medicaid Extended Coverage (MEC). Its purpose is to help New Yorkers financially prepare for the possibility of needing nursing home care, home care, or assisted living services someday. The program works by allowing an individual or couple who purchases a Partnership insurance policy and keeps in effect to hold onto all or part of their assets (depending on the type of policy purchased) under the Medicaid program if their long-term care needs extend beyond the period covered by their policy. Partnership policyholders who use the benefits according to the conditions of the program can apply for MEC, which may assist in paying for on-going care long-term care needs.