“How to Grease the Long-Term Care Planning Gears,” by Margie Barrie, ThinkAdvisor Quote: “The ILTCI Conference is meeting in person in Raleigh, North Carolina, this week. Anders Sörman-Nilsson says one key to encouraging planning is to make everything easier. Some of the tools for doing that are smart phones, problem forecasting, story telling and pictures from the future.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform: ILTCI conference news.               Subscribe to GoldenCare News  
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  “New Program Can Cover Up to 50 Weeks of Home Care,” by Allison Bell, ThinkAdvisor Quote: “The product can pay $400 to $1,200 per week for care. HCG Brokerage is offering the program to people ages 35 through 84 through a simplified underwriting process. HCG says the applicant acceptance rate is over 85%.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform: I recall when we were dubious of home care only plans. Now it seems that’s what consumers want most. Still the question remains. What’s more important to insure: the small risk of a catastrophic
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  “Long-Term Care Players Gather — in Person,” by Margie Barrie, ThinkAdvisor Quote: “Organizers have attracted about 700 LTC industry players to Raleigh, North Carolina. Some sessions deal with topics such as rate increases and actuarial assumptions. One session will look at how LTC advisors can help clients with issues such as caring for children and aging parents at the same time.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform: Wishing all a great conference!               Subscribe to GoldenCare News  
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  “To Families’ Dismay, Biden Nursing Home Reform Doesn’t View Them as Essential Caregivers,” by Judith Graham, Kaiser Health News  Quote: “When the Biden administration announced a set of proposed nursing home reforms last month, consumer advocates were both pleased and puzzled. The reforms call for minimum staffing requirements, stronger regulatory oversight, and better public information about nursing home quality — measures advocates have promoted for years. Yet they don’t address residents’ rights to have contact with informal caregivers — family members and friends who provide both emotional support and practical assistance.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term
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  “Bill would reform tax code to make long-term care insurance more affordable, accessible,” by Lois A. Bowers, McKnight’s Senior Living Quote: “Legislation introduced last week in the House of Representatives would reform the tax code in an effort to make long-term care insurance more affordable and accessible for older adults. It has the backing of Argentum and the American Seniors Housing Association. … The act would permit people to withdraw funds from their 401(k) accounts, 403(b) accounts and individual retirement accounts to pay for long-term care insurance. Up to $2,500 of a withdrawal used to pay for long-term care insurance would
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  “Lincoln Financial Group Enhances Long-term Care Benefits Experience Through Partnership with LTCG,” Lincoln Financial Group Quote: “Lincoln Financial Group announced today that as part of its commitment to enhancing the customer experience, policy holders with the company’s long-term care planning solutions will soon have access to enhanced digital capabilities, including functionality that will allow them to track their claim status online. These features are the result of an expanded partnership with LTCG, a leading independent third-party administrator. LTCG will handle claims administration and management for Lincoln Financial’s long-term care riders beginning in the first quarter of 2022.”   LTC
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  “Former CMS leader rips Biden’s nursing home reform plans,” by Danielle Brown, McKnight’s LTC News Quote: “President Joe Biden’s proposals to reform America’s nursing homes are ‘short-sighted’ and may push providers over the edge during the ongoing workforce crisis, the former leader of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Monday.  Biden’s reform plan was unveiled earlier this month. It includes more than 20 initiatives to improve quality of care, with minimum staffing requirements a top priority. The effort, however, could ‘decimate’ the nursing home industry if it fails to address underlying funding and workforce challenges, warned Seema Verma, CMS administrator during
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  “S&P Global Upgrades Genworth,” by Allison Bell, ThinkAdvisor Quote: “A rating agency says Genworth Financial — a company that has faced years of epic battles with long-term care insurance pricing problems — is looking healthier. S&P Global Ratings announced Friday that it had increased the long-term issuer credit rating it has assigned the Richmond, Virginia-based company to B+, from B. For retirement and long-term care planners, the news may be one of several signs that the market for LTCI coverage and other long-term care benefits products might be starting to come back to life.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A.
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  “Walmart partnership provides lifeline to family caregivers,” by Diane Eastabrook, McKnight’s Home Care Quote: “Walmart is lending a helping hand to unpaid family caregivers through a new partnership with human transformation company BetterUp. The two companies launched BetterUp for Caregivers late last week, a subscription service that connects caregivers to live programming, community support, self-guided programs and a variety of on-demand solutions. … Caregivers who subscribe to the service can access 25-minute courses on how to deal with stress and find balance in their lives. BetterUp estimates there are about 53 million people nationwide providing free care to family and friends.
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  “California to eliminate Medicaid waitlists through assisted living waiver,” by Kimberly Bonvissuto, McKnight’s Senior Living    Quote: “The assisted living waiver offers Medi-Cal eligible beneficiaries the choice of residing in an assisted living setting as an alternative to long-term placement in a nursing facility. The goal of the waiver is to transition eligible older adults and individuals with disabilities from a nursing facility to a community home-like setting in residential care facilities, adult residential care facilities or public subsidized housing.”   LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform: 665,000 people languish on waiting lists for Medicaid home
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