“Study links 3 key risk factors to coronavirus deaths among older adults,” by Alicia Lasek, McKnight’s LTC News   Quote: “Three key factors are tied to mortality in adults with coronavirus, a study of hospitalized patients has found. The findings could help clinicians better identify high-risk individuals, say investigators. The researchers followed 191 cases in Wuhan, China, facilities. Two-thirds had severe or critical illness, and 54 died in the hospital. Compared to survivors, patients who died were more likely to be older (average age 69 vs. 52), and to have confirmed signs of sepsis and blood clotting problems on admission. Other
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“CMS to ‘Immediately’ Refocus Nursing Home Inspections on Infection Control Amid Coronavirus,” by Maggie Flynn, Skilled Nursing News   Quote: “In the wake of an outbreak of the novel coronavirus at a Washington nursing home, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will immediately refocus inspections of skilled nursing facilities on compliance with the agency’s infection control policies — and suspend all non-emergency survey work, the agency announced on Wednesday.”     LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Virus concerns induce CMS to change survey focus from Medicaid-induced quality problems to survival itself.
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“One LTCI Producer’s Take on Nursing Home Closures,” by Romeo Raabe Quote: “Over 550 nursing closed in the US in the past 4 years, 328 in just the past 20 months.  More than half the closures were in just 9 states, Wisconsin among them.   Brown County, WI has lost 4 in the past 4 years with the last one closing next month at the corner of Webster Ave and Mason St in Green Bay.  This hits even harder in rural areas with few (if any) alternatives. “Nursing homes make their money two ways – most call themselves rehab centers and
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“An update from the ILTCI Conference regarding COVID-19,” by Robert Eaton, ILTCI Conference Quote: ILTCI 2020 Attendees: We believe that the immediate risk of COVID-19 (aka the coronavirus disease 2019) does not currently warrant any change in our ILTCI meeting plans. We are actively monitoring the situation on a day to day basis, with the safety and security of our attendees in mind. We are also in constant contact with the Sheraton Denver, who remains committed to hosting our conference. We will provide any updates to our plans via email and through the conference website. We remain excited about this conference
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“Innovation in the LTC Insurance Market,” by Bruce Stahl, Long Term Care News Quote: “Say what you will about long-term care insurance (LTCI) pricing, administration and financial management strategies in the early to mid-1990s, yet you must speak well of the many product ideas insurers implemented at that time. Back then, insurance companies sought to design LTCI products that would satisfy consumer needs and concerns. Nursing home-only policies saw coverage added for adult day care and assisted living facilities, home health care benefits substantially strengthened and benefit period maximums changed to lifetime maximums. Providers also altered the benefit qualification requirement
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“Living The Golden Rule,” by Bruce Moon, Amazon   Quote: “This book is a profile of an American company, family owned and operated, whose successes were spread over seven decades, and whose risks, struggles, and triumphs have created many benefits for American consumers today. Uniquely, this company was in the insurance business. This is an industry generally considered staid, slow to change, and bureaucratic. But this one company, with a unique name, created its legacy with •Corporate Entrepreneurship •Culture of Achievement •Consumer-based Product Innovation, all while maintaining a small company spirit of camaraderie where long-term employees―from mailroom clerk to president―knew
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“COVID-19 Webinar & Educational Resources,” AHCA/NCAL   Quote: “As concerns arise with the emerging 2019 Coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, AHCA/NCAL is working nationally with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure our members receive necessary supplies and guidance to prevent the spread of this disease. This resource is free and open to AHCA/NCAL members in addition to the public. Membership to AHCA/NCAL is not required to access the materials however, you will need to create an account to identify your personal access to the materials. Learn how to create an account on the GETTING STARTED page. If you need additional assistance,
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“Genworth reaches deal ‘in principle’ with New York regulator to clear acquisition by China-based company,” by John Reid Blackwell, Richmond Times-Dispatch   Quote: “Henrico County-based insurance giant Genworth Financial Inc. said Monday that it has reached an agreement “in principle” with government insurance regulators in New York that would help the company complete its long-delayed effort to be acquired by a China-based investment company.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Is there no end to the hoops this deal must jump through?  
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“Long-Term Care Insurance v. a Hybrid: AALTCI Gets the Numbers,” by Allison Bell, ThinkAdvisor   Quote: “The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI) has come out with a new long-term care (LTC) benefits product cost comparison analysis. AALTCI looked at how much a consumer might pay to get long-term care benefits through a stand-alone long-term care insurance (LTCI) policy, versus how much the same consumer might pay to get the same amount of benefits through a life insurance policy that offers LTC benefits.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Click through for the
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