Should I compare planning how to pay for future long term care on an after tax basis?

Base the review on after tax and after fee numbers when comparing options because headline returns or payments can hide the real tradeoff. Within the broader financial plan, estimate the cost of care in the area, the household's likely retirement income, liquid assets, home equity, family support, and how much risk the household can comfortably self fund. When the options are compared, long term care planning is a risk management decision rather than a simple investment comparison.