Anticipate Questions About CalPERS Long Term Care Insurance

February 9, 2014 –  Some 1.6 million California public employees, retirees and family members are eligible for the recently relaunched CalPERS long term care insurance plan benefit.

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) is an agency in the California executive branch that “manages pension and health benefits including the long term care insurance program that was first launched in 1990.  The program is the largest self-funded long term care insurance program of its kind and pays for qualifying nursing home care, residential assisted living, home health care and homemaker services.

“The CalPERS long term care insurance program closed to new applicants in 2008 so it’s good news to have them re-entering the California market,” declares Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance (AALTCI).  The national trade group which advocates for long term care insurance planning is headquartered in Westlake Village, CA.

Slome spoke recently to long term care insurance professionals about the program.  “It’s an excellent program though some consumers may be able to save money or get better coverage in the open marketplace,” Slome shared.   According to AALTCI, a single male age 55 purchasing a $164,250 benefit pool pays $1,824 a year under the CalPERS plan.  “Leading long term care insurers offering coverage in California offer the same coverage currently for about $1,600,” Slome notes.  “Many CalPERS eligible employees will be comparison shopping in the weeks and months so understanding the features and options is important.”

“Leading insurers such as Genworth, Mass Mutual and MedAmerica offer a variety of long term care insurance inflation growth options that will yield higher benefits that the CalPERS program,” Slome advises.   According to AALTCI, the CalPERS plan offers a form of inflation growth that over many years provides significantly less dollars in future benefits.

“Comparison shopping is in one’s best interest,” Slome adds.  To compare the CalPERS long term care insurance costs connect with a designated California long term care specialist.  Call the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance at (818) 597-3227 or visit the Association’s website at www.aaltci.org.

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