“Did CalPERS mislead policyholders on long-term care insurance? Trial begins on a $1.2 billion lawsuit”

“Did CalPERS mislead policyholders on long-term care insurance? Trial begins on a $1.2 billion lawsuit,” Sacramento Bee “A $1.2 billion lawsuit that could affect up to about 100,000 seniors who had CalPERS long-term care insurance plans goes to trial Monday. The class-action lawsuit claims the California Public Employees’ Retirement System violated insurance policy terms when it increased premiums by 85 percent in 2015 and 2016 after promising policyholders stability. ‘These people were completely, completely misled,’ said Michael Bidart, an attorney representing the plaintiffs. CalPERS contends it had the legal authority to raise the premiums. ‘We raised rates to sustain the plan and we believe
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Categories: Clippings, Industry News, and Long-Term Care.

“Hawaii, Mississippi bookend new list of healthiest states for older adults,” by Lois A. Bowers”

“Hawaii, Mississippi bookend new list of healthiest states for older adults,” by Lois A. Bowers, McKnight’s Senior Living “Hawaii is the healthiest state for older adults, and Mississippi is the least healthy, according to United Health Foundation’s 2019 ‘America’s Health Rankings Senior Report.’” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Poke vs. po’boy.
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Categories: Clippings, Industry News, and Long-Term Care.

“Community Care For High-Need Patients”

“Community Care For High-Need Patients,” by Alan R. Weil, Health Affairs “Almost everyone wants to live in their own home and community as they age. Yet for many, later age brings frailty and the accumulation of chronic conditions. This month’s issue of Health Affairs examines how we can best provide care in the community for people with advanced illness.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): The June issue of Health Affairs focuses on problems with home health care for the aging, including caregiver shortages and financing. This month’s issue has several “open access” articles of interest
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Categories: Clippings, Industry News, and Long-Term Care.

“A Dozen Facts About Medicare Advantage in 2019”

“A Dozen Facts About Medicare Advantage in 2019,” by Gretchen Jacobson, Meredith Freed, Anthony Damico, and Tricia Neuman, Kaiser Family Foundation “Medicare Advantage enrollment has grown rapidly over the past decade, and Medicare Advantage plans have taken on a larger role in the Medicare program. This data collection provides current information and trends about Medicare Advantage enrollment, premiums, and out-of-pocket limits. It also includes analyses of Medicare Advantage plans’ extra benefits and prior authorization requirements.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Latest status of the MA boom.
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Categories: Clippings, Industry News, and Long-Term Care.

“Views: A retirement readiness benefit that addresses the financial challenges of aging”

“Views: A retirement readiness benefit that addresses the financial challenges of aging,” by Brian Harrington, Employee Benefit News “With financial readiness emerging as a major theme in benefits, attention is turning to an often overlooked aspect of retirement planning: helping employees address the financial challenges of aging — namely long-term care, an expense that can quickly wipe out the best-laid retirement plans. To help employees and their families protect their hard-earned savings from these potentially devastating costs, more employers are offering group long-term care insurance as part of their financial readiness benefits.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for
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Categories: Clippings, Industry News, and Long-Term Care.

2020 certification starts 7/10 | Contracting tool goes live 7/1

Update: New contracting tool will go live July 1 As you know, we’re transitioning to a new enhanced contracting process for Allina Health | Aetna Medicare products. We’re excited about the efficiencies this new tool will bring. It’s going to shorten and simplify the entire contracting process. To help ensure a successful rollout, we’re moving the start date for the new contract tool to July 1. Learn more about the new contracting process. Save the date: 2020 producer certification begins July 10 The producer certification process for 2020 Allina Health | Aetna Medicare products kicks off on July 10. Certification
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Categories: Aetna, Industry News, and Medicare Supp./Adv..

A lot can change in a year

  A lot can change in a year Marriage, the birth of a child, buying a new house, the decision to finally get serious about saving for retirement, a new job. But if you miss what’s new in your client’s life – you may miss new ways you can help. What if you could uncover 365 days of change in just three simple steps? It could be a game-changing opportunity for your client – and your business. Our step-by-step guide walks you through how to do an effective policy review, helping to set you up for success right from the
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Categories: Industry News, Life Insurance, Linked Benefit/Hybrids, and Securian.

Medicare News – Omaha Family of Companies

Medicare Supplement: Upcoming Med Supp Rate Adjustments Please view the upcoming rate adjustments in IA, IL, IN, NV, OH and WI.   July Modernized Rate Release Please view the upcoming rate release for AZ, CA, CT, MN, ND and RI.   June Summer Sizzle Webinar Learn to build your Medicare business through a series of Medicare Solutions monthly webinars! The next is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25th at 10:30 a.m. CST.   2019 3rd Quarter Med Supp Broker Bonus Program The Third Quarter Broker Bonus Program period is from July 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019.   2019 High Deductible
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Categories: Industry News, Medicare Supp./Adv., and Mutual of Omaha (& Affiliates).

Have You Taken Advantage of Your TLA Upsell Opportunities?

Oftentimes, clients will select their term coverage level based on their budget, even if they may actually have a need for more coverage. If you have a client who gets approved better than applied for, this is the perfect time to use the Term Life Answers Upsell Program since they can potentially get more coverage and still be within their budget. Agents who are consistently talking to their client about the upsell offer have found great success. Since we started offering the upsell opportunities, we’ve had a 15 percent acceptance rate with the average increase being just over $275,000 per
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Categories: Industry News, Life Insurance, and Mutual of Omaha (& Affiliates).

In-Force Rate Action Announcement: Missouri (PCS II)

> PCS II with Stable Premium Option As part of the strategy for our long-term care insurance business, we continue pursuing initiatives to improve the risk and profitability profile of our business, including premium increases on our in-force policies, as needed. Missouri has now allowed the following increases: Missouri Product Series Increase for Policies with Limited Benefit Periods Increase for Policies with Lifetime Benefit Periods PCS II 55% 72%   This rate increase applies to non-AARP, non-partnership policies only. Communications Timeline Servicing agents will receive a list of their impacted policyholders in this state one week prior to the start
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Categories: Genworth, Industry News, and Long-Term Care.