“A Data Dump That Could Make a Difference in Health Care,” by Yuval Rosenberg, Fiscal Times Quote: “Health care researchers have argued that data collected on Medicare Advantage plans should be made public to allow analysts to try to get more insight into how much value the program delivers. … Now, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is making Medicare Advantage data available to researchers for the first time, administrator Seema Verma announced Thursday.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Let’s see what the data show. Is MA better and cheaper than traditional
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“Largest LTCi Claim Exceeds $2 Million,” by Jesse Slome, Advisor Magazine Quote: “A single long-term care insurance policyholder claim has exceeded two million dollars (actually $2.6M for a female).  The largest claim still being paid to a male policyholder reached nearly $1.6 million. Why is this important?  First, it’s the first time we’ve seen a single claim in excess of $2 million.  Second, because consumers mistakenly perceive this protection in ‘investment’ terms … will I get my money back?  Advisors need info like this to tell the story properly! When it comes to LTC insurance (or most insurance for that matter) some will
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“Provider-sponsored Medicare Advantage plans seeing big growth in membership,” by John Gregory, HealthExec Quote: “The growth in Medicare Advantage (MA) membership has benefited hospitals and physician groups that operate their own plans, with total enrollment increasing by more than 20 percent to three million beneficiaries since 2015. … The three million people in provider-sponsored MA plans, however, only represents about 14 percent of all MA enrollees nationwide. Plans offered by insurers like UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Aetna still dominate the market and actually saw greater enrollment growth of 24 percent over the same time period.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses,
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“Only 16% of retirees ‘very confident’ they can afford long-term care,” by Lois A. Bowers, McKnight’s Senior Living Quote: “Only 16% of current retirees are ‘very confident’ that they will have enough money to pay for long-term care should they need it during their retirement, according to the results of a survey released Tuesday. That percentage, said the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute and research firm Greenwald & Associates, is a decrease from last year’s 20%, which they defined as ‘down significantly.’ The firms polled 1,040 retirees between Jan. 3 and 16 for the annual Retirement Confidence Survey.” LTC Comment
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“The myth and reality of the Medi-Cal ‘spend-down’,” by Philip P. Lindsley, San Diego Union-Tribune Quote: “What’s the reality? The need to ‘spend down’ is almost never true. There are many assets that are considered exempt or unavailable and are not counted in the qualification process. Just two of several examples would be the home and all IRAs and other pension plan funds. There are also other substantial additional allowances and planning opportunities available for those who are aware and use them. Few do.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Few do? Hardly. Most
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“Retirees Come Face To Face With Longevity,” Advisor Magazine Quote: “This year’s Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS) finds only a third of retirees very confident in their ability to live comfortably throughout retirement (32 percent). While this is comparable to last year, retiree confidence in having enough money to cover basic expenses and medical expenses has dropped: 80 percent say they are very/somewhat confident about covering basic expenses this year compared to 85 percent in 2017; and 70 percent say they are very/somewhat confident about covering medical expenses this year vs. 77 percent in 2017. In addition, retirees’ confidence that Medicare and
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“Following a couple from diagnosis to the final stages of Alzheimer’s,” by Jonathan LaPook, CBS News Quote: “For 10 years, Dr. Jon LaPook has been checking in on Carol Daly, a woman diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and her caregiver husband, Mike. After a decade, the disease has had a devastating impact on each of them.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): We tipped you to this 60 Minutes episode in advance, but did you see it? If not, click through and watch it now. This may be the most powerful 12 minutes you, your prospects
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