“LTSS reform needed to ensure access to quality care, doctors’ group says,” by Kimberly Bonvissuto, McKnight’s Senior Living Quote: “Specifically, the ACP recommended a multi-pronged, public-private sector approach to reforming LTSS financing. That approach, the group said, would include a publicly funded, universal LTSS insurance program as well as policies to make private long-term care insurance more affordable and home- and community-based services more accessible. The organization also called for workforce investments, including better wages and benefits, as well as career advancement opportunities. Funding, assistance and staff support to develop emergency preparedness plans also were recommended. … Previous recommendations
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  “Medicaid Financial Eligibility in Pathways Based on Old Age or Disability in 2022: Findings from a 50-State Survey,” by MaryBeth Musumeci, Molly O’Malley Watts, and Meghana Ammula, KFF Quote: “This issue brief presents state-level data on Medicaid financial eligibility criteria and adoption of the major non-MAGI pathways as of January 2022. It includes mandatory and optional pathways to full Medicaid eligibility as well as state options to expand Medicaid financial eligibility for people who need long-term services and supports (LTSS) in nursing homes or other institutions or in the community.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for
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  “The Supreme Court just put regulatory oversight on notice,” by John O’Connor, McKnight’s LTC News Quote: “By any measure, the Supreme Court just wrapped up one of its more memorable sessions. … But the decision that may most directly affect long-term care providers was actually directed at the Environmental Protection Agency. And its potential impact on skilled care might be hard to overestimate. … The majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, claimed the agency’s heightened emissions rules were a ‘fundamental revision’ of existing law. He added that it’s up to Congress, not the EPA, to make ‘a decision
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  “US long-term care insurers see large spike in new customers in 2021,” by Jason Woleben and Hailey Ross, S&P Global Quote: “The number of new individual long-term care customers nearly tripled in 2021. The spike was likely a one-time bump related to the creation of a public option in the state of Washington, which caused many residents to seek private coverage instead of participating in the government-mandated program, according to Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association of Long-Term Care Insurance. In aggregate, U.S. underwriters added 153,687 new lives to their books in 2021, compared to roughly 57,200
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“Long Term Care State Payroll Tax Update,” BuddyIns   Quote: “This update is intended for our community of LTC planning advocates and insurance practitioners to stay up-to-date on the latest legislative news that we are following at BuddyIns. This is not a comprehensive assessment, so please email us with any news from your neck of the woods.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform: Thanks to BuddyIns for this update on a question I’m probably asked more than any other: which states are doing what about LTC financing? What all the state initiatives have in
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  “As interest rates climb, life-LTC combined insurance premiums decline, expert says,” by Kathleen Steele Galvin, McKnight’s Senior Living Quote: “Some companies that offer long-term care insurance are reducing their premiums to entice enrollment.  ‘Life insurance and life policies with long-term care benefits are very interest rate sensitive’ Jesse Slome, director of American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, told the McKnight’s Business Daily. ‘So, when interest rates go up (as they are now doing), it’s common to see policy premiums decrease.’ Indianapolis, IN-based OneAmerica Financial Partners was perhaps the first company to cut prices, partly because of rising interest rates and partly
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