Read The Full Story Here

Long Term Care : News, Advice, Information, Reviews

Read The Full Story Here

Long Term Care : News, Advice, Information, Reviews

LongTermCareInsure.com helps people navigate through the later stages of life with dignity and purpose by providing information: a provider’s directory of senior related businesses and services, planning tools, articles, a senior calendar of events, links to assistance programs, helpful state and government links, long term caregiver resources and much more.

Prior to this upgrade visitors may not have realized the website has information and providers in all 50 states. Another new feature is their Blog. Visitors are encouraged to post entries on the blog and share their experiences or offer suggestions to other long term caregivers who may be seeking help.

When visitors log onto LongTermCareInsure.com they have the ability to research caregiver resources and elder care information across the country. Families don’t necessarily live in the same city or state.

LongTermCareInsure.com gives visitors the ability to search anywhere in the country for aging parent resources, caregiver support information and a local provider’s directory, regardless of where they reside. The most unique new feature is the electronic “Contact Me” form. This allows visitors to request specific information directly from any of the providers on the website.

About LongTermCareInsure.com – Adult children of aging parents have a new role and responsibility, one that our parent’s didn’t have. People are living longer and are not necessarily planning for it; they need advice, guidance and support from their adult children and trusted family members. LongTermCareInsure.com is designed to be a resource for caregivers seeking information to help their aging parents and loved ones plan for and secure their future.

Long-term care poses the single largest risk to Americans living on retirement savings and income according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, the industry trade group. Yet, few consumers have the facts correct when it comes to understanding available planning options.

As the U.S. population ages, the percentage of people older than 65 will increase from about 13% in 2009 to 20% in 2040. Part of the projected increase is due to an increased life expectancy beyond age 65. After retirement health insurance and Medicare provide very little long-term care benefit, if any, according to financial planning professionals.

The results of a just-released national study of individuals between 40 and 70, most reported knowing what long-term care is and how much it costs. But their scores fall short when it comes to knowing what percentage of people will need long-term care and how they will pay for it. According to the study conducted by the MetLife Mature Market Institute, just about four in ten adults (36%) know that 60-to-70 percent of 65-year-olds will require long-term care services at some point in their lives. Just over one-third knew that most long-term care services are received at home.

While the number of respondents answering correctly (37%) increased since the 2004 survey (18%), awareness is low overall.Few participants in the survey reported that they are taking action to protect themselves from such potentially catastrophic expenses; only 18% know long-term care insurance rates are based on age, but almost nine in ten (87%) are aware that a comprehensive long-term care policy covers home, assisted living and nursing home care.

The survey also reported that eight in ten respondents (85%) understand that long-term care could have many causes, such as Alzheimer’s disease, an accident or a chronic or disabling condition. More than four in ten (43%) are able to correctly identify the national average monthly cost for assisted living.

For more information on long-term care insurance, visit the Association’s Consumer Information Center where you can read the organization’s free guide on reducing the cost of long-term care insurance. Click here to read the guide.

Read The Full Story Here

Long Term Care : News, Advice, Information, Reviews

First, it is a great feeling to help them get the portray a correct story since their words, whether written or oral can influence so many prospects and potential buyers. Friday, a national editor who I have worked with before called the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance’s offices. At this point, I won’t reveal the story being working on but in the ensuing research I did – two pieces of information emerged. They are examples of when long-term care insurers go beyond what is required. You may not be familiar with them.

The first involves Genworth’s new policy being offered to AARP members. The policy offers a 60-day return policy. In simple terms, the consumer can return the policy within 60 days for a refund of monies paid. As most insurance agents know, the standard “free look” required by law is 30 days. Now, it bears stating that the State of Washington just passed a law mandating the 60-day provision. Who knows whether other states will follow.

And, in speaking with a long-time Genworth producer, it was noted that in an effort to provide outstanding customer service the company has not held rigid to the 30-day cut off. But clearly there was someone who thought this was a customer-friendly provision … and agreed to make it available.

The second story involves John Hancock. In recognition of the weak economy, the company allows (or allowed, I am not sure if the practice continues) policyholders who lose their jobs and fail to pay premiums for a certain period of time, to reinstate their policies without the typically-required health underwriting. What a recognition of going the extra mile to help the people who showed the good faith and sense to buy your product.

Having worked with the media for most of my life, every reporter will tell you it is not their job to “shill” for a company. So don’t ever expect to read about these items in the news.

But, in the current environment we are in — and with the news media focusing so much attention on negatives surrounding the insurance industry, it’s good to know there are insurers doing well because they do good. That’s a message the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance is proud to help convey.

Long Term Care Insurance News You Never Hear

A report published in the organization’s annual Sourcebook revealed that nine percent of nursing home residents would have delayed going to a nursing home for necessary care in the absence of a nursing home policy. Some 13 percent reported they would have used a less costly provider in the absence of having long-term care insurance.

A new report issued this week has found that non-profit nursing homes provide better care than for-profit facilities. According to Canadian researchers, a review of 82 studies conducted starting in 1965 reported that 40 studies found that non-profit nursing homes provided significantly better quality care, while three studies concluded that for-profit homes delivered better care. The remaining studies had mixed results. Most of the studies were conducted in Canada and the United States.

Non-profit homes did better in four important quality measures: more or higher quality staffing; lower rates of pressure ulcers; less use of physical restraints; and fewer deficiencies cited by regulatory agencies. Based on their findings, the researchers calculated that if all nursing homes were non-profit, nursing home residents in the United States would receive 500,000 more hours of nursing care per day, while those in Canada would receive 42,000 more hours of nursing care per day.

The findings of the second study which were published online in the British Medical Journal suggest a trend toward higher quality care in non-profit nursing homes than in for-profit homes, said the researchers.

Last year American long-term care insurance companies paid some $8.5 billion in benefits to some 180,000 individuals. Some of the largest claims, typically for care in skilled nursing home facilities, exceed $1 million according to the industry organization. Long-term care insurance provides individuals with the ability to choose where care is provided, notes one industry expert. Choice and control are great benefits.

Nursing Home Studies Reveal Benefit of Long Term Care Insurance

“The Congressman’s comments recommending tax deductions for individuals purchasing long-term care insurance creates an enormous incentive for people to consider this protection,” states Jesse Slome, Executive Director of the national professional organization. “When more Americans plan, the nation avoids an unsustainable liability that will fall on all taxpayers.”

According to Association data, some 8.25 million individuals currently own long-term care insurance. “The Congressman’s proposal could rapidly double the number of people protected,” Slome notes. Social Security and Medicare have promised $42.9 trillion more in benefits to senior and disabled workers than the programs will be able to pay, according to a new report by the Heritage Foundation.

“The Congressman understands that Americans must plan for their own future and that a tax incentive is a small price to incent action,” Slome adds.“Increased life expectancy, coupled with the rapidly aging baby boomer generation forces more Americans to face the challenges of caring for either themselves or their loved ones,” Congressman Alexander remarked. “To ease the burden and encourage taxpayers to take steps towards securing long-term care, I have introduced the Sunset of Life Protection Act of 2009 (H.R. 1891). This legislation seeks to provide individuals a 50 percent non-refundable tax deduction on the cost of long-term care insurance costs.”

“My intention is to minimize the need for individuals to rely on public resources in their later years by taking measures now to ensure a comfortable and complete long-term care coverage package,” he added. “As Congress looks for ways to improve the affordability and availability of quality health care for all Americans, this is an option to lessen the costs of tomorrow by investing in insurance today.”

The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance is the national organization serving insurance and financial professionals who market LTC solutions. The organization was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Los Angeles.

Long-Term Care Insurance Association Commends U.S. Congressman

This year’s Summit will combine two conferences – the producer sales and marketing conference organized by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance and the conference for state officials organized by the Center For Healthcare Strategies (CHCS).

Over 18 states will be represented each sending three or four executives from the State Medicaid office, the Department of Insurance, the Agency on Aging and State Dept. of Commerce. Summit attendees will have the opportunity to attend special Partnership workshops in addition to the extensive Summit program.

States Sending Executives Include
Arkansas
Colorado
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
New Jersey
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Wisconsin
South Dakota
Texas
Virginia

Leaders From 18 Long Term Care Partnership States To Attend LTC Agent Summit

“We praise this visionary leader for promoting the importance of long-term care planning,” stated Jesse Slome, the Association’s Executive Director. “Over 100,000 Colorado residents already own long-term car insurance, ” Slome notes, “and the new outreach effort will help educate many more people about this important issue.” Nationwide, some 8.25 million Americans own long-term care insurance.

“Coloradans are living longer healthier lives due to advancements in science, medicine and health education,” said Governor Bill Ritter. “There is nothing more important than taking care of your health, and as your Governor, there is nothing more important to me than ensuring strong, healthy futures for all Coloradans. Over the past two years, we’ve taken a number of steps to ensure health care is more affordable and accessible for all residents of our state and emphasizing the importance of long-term care planning is a critical part of that effort.”

The Own Your Future campaign is led by The Colorado Partnership for Long-Term Care. The Partnership is a public/private arrangement between long-term care insurers, Colorado’s Medicaid program, the Division of Insurance, the Department of Human Services and the citizens of Colorado. It enables Colorado residents who purchase Long-Term Care Partnership insurance to have more of their assets protected if they later need the state Medicaid program to help pay for their long-term care. Through the Partnership, Coloradans have greater control over how they finance their long-term care.

As part of the program Coloradans between the ages of ages 45 to 65 will receive a letter from Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. about the Own Your Future campaign. The letters will include information about how to order a free planning kit as a first step to managing future long-term care needs. The planning kits are a great tool to help Coloradans make smart, safe decisions about long-term care.

Coloradans seeking more information on long-term care insurance can visit the online Consumer Information Center from the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance

Colorado Governor Praised For New Long-Term Care Awareness Campaign

2009 Long-Term Care Insurance Price Index Announced