IN THIS ISSUE New Medicare Card Project – Important Updates We’ve started mailing newly-designed Medicare cards with the new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI), or Medicare Number. People enrolling in Medicare for the first time will be among the first to get the new cards, no matter where they live. Current Medicare beneficiaries will get their new cards on a rolling basis over the coming months. We’ll continue to accept the Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) through the transition period. During our planning, we’ve continuously adjusted and improved our mailing strategy to make sure we’re: Mailing the new
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LifeSecure’s Long Term Care Insurance for the Worksite
LifeSecure’s Long Term Care Insurance for the Worksite In June, we will release our next-generation Long Term Care Insurance to existing worksite groups. Enrollment for new worksite groups will open in October with effective dates starting Jan. 1, 2019. Key Dates & Procedures April 12: You may begin using the Group Proposal Tool in the Agent Portal to run proposals for new LTCi quotes. While proposals will be available for all worksite groups, enrollment timelines will differ for new and existing groups (see below). June 28: Existing worksite groups that met simplified enrollment requirements during their initial launch may be
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Check Out Our GTL Sales Promotion
Few things go together as perfectly as Salt & Pepper. Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company’s recently-launched Home Health Care product complements the Critical Cash plan so well – it’s a close comparison! Now through the end of May, write both policies on an individual client and DOUBLE your earnings! We’ll demonstrate just how well these products “go together.” States in which BOTH products are available: AL, AK, AR, AZ, CO, DC, DE, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA*, MD, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NV, OH*, OK, SC, TN, WV, WY * For Promotion Details, Rules & Conditions,
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“What You Need To Know About Social Security and Medicare Changes for 2018”
“What You Need To Know About Social Security and Medicare Changes for 2018,” by David Rae, Forbes Quote: “Each and every year we see some small changes to Social Security and Medicare. This year is no different. How much you will receive from Social Security during retirement, to the caps on payroll taxes to fund future benefits are just a couple of the common areas with changes. Medicare beneficiaries will mostly pay more for their health-care premiums in 2018. There are also changes to new income rules that determine your Medicare surcharges for 2018.” LTC Comment (from Damon V
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Clippings, Industry News, and Long-Term Care.
“The Long-Term-Care Insurance Dilemma”
“The Long-Term-Care Insurance Dilemma,” by Kimberly Lankford, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Quote: “One of the most effective ways to protect your retirement savings from the high price of assisted living, in-home care or a stay in a nursing home is a long-term-care insurance policy. But recent premium hikes have many baby boomers worried that coverage is no longer affordable. “Don’t drop your policy if you’re faced with an increase; new coverage will cost a lot more. Although Ashley’s annual premiums increased by more than 75%, he’s 19 years older and his daily benefit has grown by 5% a year. A new
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Clippings, Industry News, and Long-Term Care.
“Insurers likely to add and trim senior living benefits, thanks to relaxed Medicare rule”
“Insurers likely to add and trim senior living benefits, thanks to relaxed Medicare rule,” by John O’Connor, McKnight’s Senior Living Quote: “Medicare managed care enrollees may soon enjoy enhanced senior living benefits, thanks to a new rule. But existing coverage also may be reduced or eliminated when revamped policies hit the marketplace, according to several analysts.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): This trend of Medicare, especially Medicare Advantage, moving into providing long-term care bears watching closely. Insurers likely to add and trim senior living benefits, thanks to relaxed Medicare rule #senior #medicare #goldencareagent
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Clippings, Industry News, and Long-Term Care.
“Caring for elderly parents can put a dent in your budget”
“Caring for elderly parents can put a dent in your budget,” by Sarah O’Brien, CNBC Quote: “The biggest monthly expenses for caregivers are medicine and medical supplies ($273), food ($159) and personal-care items ($151). About half of current and past caregivers did not know in advance that they would be stepping into that role. In advance of finding yourself in that situation, whether expected or not, it’s worth having a conversation with your parents about how they envision their care if they reach a point where they no longer can care for themselves.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President,
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GILICO 6 Year Products Are Now Available Above Age 79!
Higher Issue Ages Guaranty 6 issued through age 90! 3.40% Guaranteed for 6 Years Full Accumulation Value Death Benefit Interest Monthly After 30 Days IRA/RMD Friendly Guaranty 4 and Guaranty 6 annuities offer interest rates which are among the highest MYGA rates currently being offered! They offer safety, stability and triple compounding; and the extended issue ages and great rates make these an easy sale for many clients! AnnuiCare® 6 issued through age 85! 3.40% Guaranteed for 6 Years Full Accumulation Value Death Benefit Effective April 1, 2018, clients over age 79 have an additional AnnuiCare® option. AnnuiCare® 6
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“Why you shouldn’t bother with memory or brain health supplements”
“Why you shouldn’t bother with memory or brain health supplements,” by Consumer Reports in The Washington Post Quote: “The signs of memory loss can be bewildering and scary: misplaced keys, a forgotten street name, that task you suddenly can’t remember. It’s no wonder that, according to the Nutrition Business Journal, sales of supplements touted as memory boosters nearly doubled between 2006 and 2015. But according to a review of studies published in December, there’s virtually no good evidence that such products can prevent or delay memory lapses, mild cognitive impairment or dementia in older adults. In fact, says Pieter
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Clippings, Industry News, and Long-Term Care.
“DNA and Long-Term-Care Insurance”
“DNA and Long-Term-Care Insurance,” by Ben Mattlin, Financial Advisor Quote: “With the easy availability of personal genetic information through companies such as 23andMe, more and more people are discovering not just their ancestral histories but their own exact DNA makeup, including their likelihood of contracting certain illnesses. While that may be good news for consumers, the implications for insurance carriers are not so clear. Foreknowledge of future health issues can be a double-edged sword, particularly in the long-term-care (LTC) insurance business.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Long article on a very difficult problem.
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