“What You Need to Know About Hybrid Long-Term-Care Insurance,” by Cheryl Winokur Munk, Wall Street Journal “Hybrid policies have grown more popular in recent years, attracting consumers with the promise that if policyholders don’t end up needing long-term care, their beneficiary will receive a death benefit. In addition, premiums for these policies have been more stable over time than stand-alone long-term-care policies because the buyer typically pays a single premium or a series of set premiums over time. Some policies also offer a return-of-premium option—another attractive feature.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): This
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“New Tax Deductible Limits for Long-Term Care Insurance Announced by AALTCI Director,” by Jesse Slome, PR.com “Increased tax deductible limits that can provide significant tax savings for owners of traditional long-term care insurance policies were revealed today by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. … According to AALTCI, premiums paid for traditional long-term care insurance are includable in the term ‘medical care.’ The following are the just announced 2019 limits: Attained Age Before Close of Taxable Year 2019 Limit 40 or less $420 More than 40 but not more than 50 $790 More than 50 but not more than
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“Long-Term Care: A Comparison of Assisted Living and Nursing Homes,” by Carol Marak, SeniorCare.com “Showdown! What’s the difference ‘tween Nursing Homes and Assisted Living? All your prospects are about to find out, thanks to this nifty, embeddable infographic.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Special thanks to Center friend Stephen D. Forman of corporate sponsor Long-Term Care Associates for tipping us to this helpful infographic.  
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“A Dozen Facts About Medicare Advantage,” by Gretchen Jacobson, Anthony Damico, and Tricia Neuman, Kaiser Family Foundation “Medicare Advantage plans have played an increasingly larger role in the Medicare program over the past decade. More than 20 million Medicare beneficiaries (34%) are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans in 2018. This collection provides updated information about Medicare Advantage enrollment trends, premiums, and out-of-pocket limits. It also includes new analyses of Medicare Advantage plans’ extra benefits, use of prior authorization, and bonus payments paid by Medicare.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Interesting facts about MA.  
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“Health, Family Take Precedence In Aging Americans’ Minds,” by Christopher Robbins, Financial Advisor “As average Americans age, their top concerns are health, family and finances, in that order, according to a recent survey. … The survey of 502 Americans aged 55 or older found that their top concerns were health problems and costs, named by 46 percent of respondents; being a burden on their family, 45 percent; and fear of running out of money, 44 percent.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Perfect reasons to obtain LTCI, but most don’t. Is the cause mass
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“Boomer Retirement Will Fuel Wave of Business Ownership Transitions,” by Marlene Satter, ThinkAdvisor “A third of boomers expect to transition the ownership of their businesses in the next five years, thanks to the approach of retirement. That’s according to a SunTrust survey, which finds that 36% lack a specific plan for how to transition their business, and 21% admit they’re not financially ready to retire.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Seems like a good time and place to look for LTCI leads even if the business owners passed on earlier offers.  
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“Wildfire destroys three skilled nursing facilities,” by Marty Stempniak, McKnight’s LTC News “All three skilled nursing facilities in Paradise, CA, have been destroyed due to a massive wildfire that has left at least 29 people dead. Two staff members of Cypress Meadows Post-Acute were still missing as of production deadline, down from 13 on Sunday, according to the California Association of Health Facilities. Cypress Meadows, Paradise Post Acute and the Pine View Center were confirmed Monday to have been obliterated by the so-called “Camp Fire,” which started early Thursday morning and is believed to be one of the most destructive
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“Top Strategies to Pay for a Longer, Healthier Retirement,” by Robert Powell, The Street “According to Vernon, if you don’t buy a long-term care insurance policy there’s another strategy to consider that he likes: Home equity. ‘It’s kind of a default strategy, keeping that home equity in reserve,’ he said. ‘And then, that’s the asset you might tap if and when you need to pay for long-term care. But I just want to say that long-term care is like the wildcard of retirement, and there aren’t good solutions out there.’” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term
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“It’s time to sign up for long care coverage,” by Mike Causey, Federal News Network “This week’s episode  Your Turn  deals with some of the benefits available during this open season.  Our guests are Joan Melanson and Paul Forte of Long Term Care Partners.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Click through and tune into an interview with our friends and allies Paul and Joan from the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance.  
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“Senior Citizens Are Replacing Teenagers as Fast-Food Workers,” by Leslie Patton, Bloomberg “Restaurants are recruiting in senior centers and churches. They’re placing want ads on the website of AARP, an advocacy group for Americans over 50. Recruiters say older workers have soft skills—a friendly demeanor, punctuality—that their younger cohorts sometimes lack. ” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Working that hard, they may put off LTC a year or two . . . if they don’t eat the product.  
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