“SEC Adds to General Electric’s Long-Term Care Insurance Headaches,” by Allison Bell, ThinkAdvisor Quote:  “The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is officially taking an interest in the accounting for General Electric Co.’s long-term care insurance (LTCI) reinsurance operations. The SEC sent GE a Wells notice about the company’s insurance accounting practices Sept. 30, GE said Tuesday, in a current report notice filed with the SEC.” LTC Comment:   All’s not well that ends in a Wells notice.    
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“9 Surprising Secrets About Long-Term Care and Medicaid,” by Kathleen Coxwell, MoneyTalksNews Quote: “5. It is legal to manipulate your finances to qualify for Medicaid. … To accelerate Medicaid qualification, some retirees work with legal and financial specialists to gift money to family members, purchase annuities, put money into different kinds of trusts and do various other tricks to shield assets from being part of the Medicaid calculations. … 6. Medicaid planning is an industry. … There is a cadre of lawyers, consultants and advisers who help retirees manipulate their finances so that they can qualify for Medicaid and avoid
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“The Alzheimer’s Stamp Now Available to Purchase,” Argentum Quote: “The Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp has been reinstated and is now available for purchase at most post offices, online, and by phone at 1-800 STAMP-24. Before it was withdrawn in November 2019, over 8.2 million stamps were sold raising more than $1.06 million for NIH supported research. Using the Alzheimer’s stamp honors the memory of those lost and signals support for those still facing the challenges of this most difficult disease. Learn more.” LTC Comment:   Don’t forget to pick up some Alzheimer’s stamps.    
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“Walmart Jumps Into the Medicare Plan Distribution Market,” by Alison Bell, ThinkAdvisor Quote: “Walmart is putting its corporate muscle behind the idea of getting consumers excited about buying Medicare plans. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail giant announced today that its new Walmart Insurance Services LLC insurance agency division will be ready to sell Medicare plans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia starting Oct. 15, the first day of the Medicare plan annual election period.” LTC Comment:   What’s next, Amazon? Or is Bezos already there?    
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“The Problem With Buying Bundled Life and Long-Term Care Insurance,” by Ingrid Case,Money Quote: “If insurance that covers one peril is good, a policy that covers two is even better — or so the growing number of people who are buying hybrids of life insurance and long-term care insurance seem to believe. Yet financial advisors say these two-for-one products may offer dubious value for many consumers.” LTC Comment:   Well, at least Money is talking about LTC insurance.    
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“More than 50 coronavirus wrongful death suits have been filed against long-term care facilities,” by Danielle Brown,McKnight’s LTC News Quote: “Dozens of nursing homes and long-term care providers across the country are already being targeted with coronavirus-related lawsuits, a new report shows. … A legal expert in early September warned that providers could see a wave of coronavirus-related lawsuits after the sector saw a rise in cases in July.” LTC Comment:   The legal vultures are circling. The same elderlaw attorneys who trap affluent clients in nursing homes on Medicaid often work both ends by litigating against LTC providers when the inevitable poor care
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“Home healthcare outpaces skilled nursing in its post-COVID-19 rebound,” by Kimberly Marselas,McKnight’s Senior Living Quote: “Though home healthcare rolls were devastated in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has rebounded more quickly than its skilled nursing peers, according to a new analysis from Avalere Health. Home health has actually gained on its pre-pandemic discharge levels, according to a six-month review of Medicare fee-for-service claims. The sector had a 4.6% greater discharge volume in June 2020 versus June 2019, indicating home settings may have been the preferred post-acute option as many hospitals reinstated elective procedures. The declines in both
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“Medicare Advantage plans banking on non-medical home care needs,” by Kimberly Marselas,McKnight’s Senior Living Quote: “The open enrollment season starting next month will allow participants to choose from 730 plans providing supplemental benefits, such as adult day health services, caregiver support, massage and home-based palliative care. Another 920 plans will offer benefits for people living with chronic conditions so that they can better manage their disease. Those types of support include anything from meal delivery to pest control services. About 500 plans will target participants with diagnoses such as diabetes and congestive heart failure, offering lower copayments and new benefits
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