“Nursing home residents could start receiving COVID vaccines in about 2 weeks,” by Danielle Brown, McKnight’s LTC News   Quote: “Nursing home residents could be just a little more than two weeks away from receiving the first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to federal health officials.” LTC Comment: In other news, essential workers caring for nursing home residents will have even higher priority to receive the vaccine than their patients. Some are striking for better pay and conditions.  
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“89 percent of families with loved ones in long-term care facilities consider home care: survey,” by Joe Jancsurak, McKnight’s Senior Living   Quote: “Eighty-nine percent of families with loved ones living in nursing homes or assisted living communities who participated in a new survey said they have considered switching to in-home care due to the coronavirus pandemic. That’s just one finding from the Care.com COVID-19 Senior Care Survey of 1,000 U.S. adults with older loved ones receiving professional care.” LTC Comment: Hello, LTCI producers. Are you paying attention? The pandemic is doing what decades of Medicaid rebalancing couldn’t—waking up the public to the importance
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“How to Save Money on Assisted Living Costs,” by Heidi Godman, U.S. News & World Report   Quote: “Some people are able to knock down assisted living costs with contributions from Medicaid (if a facility accepts it), veterans benefits or long-term care insurance policies. And there other ways to save money on assisted living costs as well.” LTC Comment: Click through for ways to save money on assisted living. But the best way to save money remains to leverage against the risk and cost of LTC by means of private insurance. That’s the biggest bang for the buck if you end up needing
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“Higher Medicare Premiums For 2021 Announced, Topping Out At $504.90,” by Bob Carlson, Forbes   Quote: “Medicare premiums and other costs will increase in 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced. But the CMS reported earlier that premiums for the private sector version, Medicare Advantage plans, will decline for 2021. … The IRMAA rises as adjusted gross income increases. The maximum IRMAA in 2021 will be $356.40, bringing the total monthly cost for Part B to $504.90 for those in that bracket.” LTC Comment: OMG, IRMAAgod!  
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“CalPERS approves 90% price increase for long term care insurance plans,” by Wes Venteicher, Sacramento Bee   Quote: “CalPERS leaders approved a 90% premium increase for its long term care insurance plans Tuesday, seven years after the announcement of a similar increase spurred a lawsuit. The new rates will be introduced over two years, with a 52% hike coming in July 2021 and a 25% increase in July 2022, Chief Health Director Don Moulds told the California Public Employees’ Retirement System’s board Tuesday. Compounded, the rate of increase is 90% over the two years.” LTC Comment: Therein lies a lesson
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“Where Are the Gray Panthers,” by Steve Monroe, The Senior Care Investor   Quote: “Where are the Gray Panthers when you need them? Many of you may not remember this 1970s activist group that got its start when someone really objected to forced retirement at 65. This was a full 50 years ago today. “As winter approaches and senior living providers prepare for another round of potential shutdowns, lockdowns, admission and tour bans because this pandemic is not going away, when will our senior citizens rise up and revolt? Senior living communities are ‘their’ homes, and it is about time
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