“What Are Medicare Advantage Plans’ New Mini LTC Benefits Really Like?,” by Allison Bell, ThinkAdvisor

“A team of actuaries at Milliman says 577 Medicare Advantage plans are now providing at least one benefit that’s similar to the type of benefit a long-term care insurance policy might offer. The most popular “long-term care type benefit” is for support for caregivers: 421 plans offer caregiver hotlines, respite services or other caregiver support benefits. The most unusual LTC type benefits are benefits for housekeeping and therapeutic massage. Just one plan offers either of those benefits, the actuaries found. … A copy of the Milliman report is available here. Information about the chronic care benefits coming in 2020 is available here.”

LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform):

Thank goodness Milliman is keeping an eye on this worrisome development. It promises to become a boondoggle for MA plans and very damaging to private LTCI demand without providing meaningful benefits. As the Milliman report concludes: “Given the high demand and potential high costs of LTSS-type benefits, MA plans must make careful considerations when offering LTSS coverage as they enter into the 2020 bid season.”