Until now, no single resource listing phone numbers for the Claims Departments of long-term care insurers has existed.

The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance has just added such a directory to its website at http://www.aaltci.org/contacts

“The number of calls from frustrated policyholders kept increasing to the point that something needed to be done,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the organization.  “Many insurers with hundreds of thousands of in-force policies, no longer offer new coverage.  Many have outsourced their claims administration to third parties.  Consumers were getting the run around and that was not right.”

A need for care is just one reason frustrated consumers were calling the Association with queries.  “Due to rate increases, some policyholders dropped their coverage but still are entitled to a residual benefit,” Slome explains.  “Who keeps insurance policies for 10 or 20 years but with long-term care you need to know who to call and that’s printed on the policy.”

The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance advocates for the importance of planning and helps consumers connect with knowledgeable professionals who are independent advisors.  The Los Angeles based organization conducts research and have the most comprehensive resources available on its website utilized by hundreds of thousands of consumers annually.

Consumers looking for local long-term care insurance agents or cost comparisons should visit the Association’s website at www.aaltci.org or can call the organization’s national headquarters at 818-597-3227.

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“Prices for insurance are based on risk which is why men pay more for life insurance and bad drivers pay more than good drivers,” declares Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance (AALTCI).    Slome was reacting to the National Women’s Law Center administrative complaint filed against Genworth, John Hancock, Transamerica and Mutual of Omaha on the grounds that gender-based premiums for long-term care insurance violated a provision of the Affordable Care Act.

“I wonder if they realize that men pay more for Medicare Supplement insurance, which augments Medicare health benefits?” Slome posited.    He noted that a recent comparison of equal policy amounts revealed that men paid 15 percent more than a same-age female applicant.

“Women have a far greater risk of needing long term care insurance and, in fact, receive two-thirds of the claim benefits paid by insurers,” Slome noted.  The organization recently released the results of a study reporting that long term care insurers paid some $7.5 billion in claim benefits in 2013, a significant increase over the prior year.

According to AALTCI, unisex rates, where single women pay the same as single men, are still available in a number of states.  “The opportunity to take advantage of this is ending as insurers continue to roll out new policies on a state-by-state basis,” Slome admitted.   The Association recently reported that unisex rates could still be found in 16 states.  “But the number keeps declining which is why we urge single women in their 50s and 60s to at least inquire into what long term care insurance costs,” Slome shared.

For long term care insurance cost comparisons 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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“The IRS is aware of the growing non-compliance by seniors who fail to take minimum IRS distributions and is expected to crack down to capture lost tax revenue,” declares Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance (AALTCI).  Some reports note that as many as 250,000 seniors fail to take the minimum required distribution.

“The required minimum distribution is the amount the federal government requires you to withdraw each year, usually after you reach age 70½, from your retirement accounts,” Slome explains.  “You pay taxes on the withdrawn funds and failure to comply can result in a potentially hefty 50 percent tax penalty.”

“The amounts withdrawn could be used to pay long term care insurance premiums which could be fully tax deductible to the senior,” Slome notes.   “There’s a two-fold tax advantage, avoiding the income tax and potential penalty and of course the value provided by having the long term care insurance protection.”

Individuals who are age 70 or older can each deduct $4,550 of their premiums off their 2013 tax filings.  “If both spouses are over age 70, that’s a $9,100 potential tax deduction you don’t want to overlook,” Slome adds.   Individuals must meet certain levels of related tax-deductible expenses to claim the tax deduction for long term Care insurance.    “Many seniors have other medical and even dental expenses that enable them to easily meet the threshold required to make long term care insurance premiums deductible.”

Slome noted that seniors who do not already own this protection should work with a knowledgeable specialist who can help them navigate the health requirements imposed by leading insurers including Genworth Financial, John Hancock, Mutual of Omaha and Transamerica Long Term Care.  “Not everyone can health qualify for long term care insurance,” Slome shares, “and the health requirements can vary quite significantly from one insurer to the next.”

For information about long term care insurance tax deductions and costs  or to connect with a long term care insurance specialist who is a member of the Association call the organization at (818) 597-3227 or on their website at www.aaltci.org where access to free consumer guides is available.

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“Last Spring, the nation’s leading long term care insurance companies began charging women more for long term care insurance coverage,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance (AALTCI).   According to AALTCI, women account for two-thirds of the claim benefits paid by insurers.  “The industry paid $6.6 billion in claim benefits in 2012 with two thirds going towards the care needs of women.”

Sex distinct pricing, whereby women pay more has been rolled out systematically on a state-by-state basis.  “According to our analysis there are still sixteen states and the District of Columbia where at least one major carrier offers unisex pricing for long term care insurance,” Slome notes.  “That still provides a window of opportunity especially for single women but that window is closing.

According to the Association analysis, leading insurers including Genworth Financial, John Hancock, Mutual of Omaha and Transamerica Long Term Care still offer unisex pricing in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota and Virginia.

“The difference in what you’ll pay can be significant making comparison shopping all that more important,” Slome advises.   “This is an instance where working with an independent long term care insurance specialist appointed with multiple companies can truly be to your advantage.”

For information about long term care insurance costs or to connect with a long term care insurance specialist who is a member of the Association call the organization at (818) 597-3227 or on their website at www.aaltci.org where access to free consumer guides is available.

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Times Square Billboard Features Long Term Care Insurance Association Director

importance of long term care insurance a Times Square billboard was utilized by the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.

“Consumer awareness and education is our number one priority and the world’s crossroads is the ideal place to start generating exposure,” declares Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.   The Association executive director’s image appeared on a Times Square billboard as part of a national public relations campaign launched last week.

The Association is releasing results of their 2014 Long Term Care Insurance Price Index.  “People need to understand that long term care insurance can be much more affordable than many perceive,” Slome notes.  “We undertake the annual study to show different typical scenarios that are very helpful in addressing misperceptions about the costs for this valuable protection.”

Slome’s image on the billboard appearing on Manhattan’s Seventh Avenue and 43rd Street was part of the national campaign that included a national news story that was utilized by several hundred media.  “Positive news is a good thing and we are very proud of the work we undertake to educate consumers,” Slome adds.

For information about long term care insurance costs or to connect with a long term care insurance specialist who is a member of the Association call the organization at (818) 597-3227 or on their website at www.aaltci.org where access to free consumer guides is available.

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“Finally, some good news has been the reaction from insurance professionals,” says Slome, director of the long term care insurance association that has been releasing the findings of their 2014 Long Term Care Insurance Price Index.  “The past few years have seen news reports citing rate increases so any news regarding people paying less for this important protection is most welcome.”

According to the Association’s first release of their 2014 price study, The typical healthy 55-year-old male can expect to pay almost 15 percent less for long term care insurance coverage purchased in 2014 compared to last January.    ”Men have historically been resistant to purchasing long term care insurance,” Slome adds.  “So, perhaps this dose of good news will help address their denial of the reality of aging and the risk of needing costly care.”

The AALTCI study does reveal that couples face an increase in rates compared to costs in the prior year.   Leading insurers included in the study include Genworth Financial, John Hancock, Mutual of Omaha, Transamerica, New York Life and Northwestern Mutual.

The Association began releasing the findings via a national distribution supported by The National LTC Education center and HTA Financial Services, a leading long term care insurance brokerage firm headquartered in West Chester, PA.  “We sincerely appreciate their commitment to building the industry and to helping us disseminate this positive news,” Slome added.  He notes the news story has been utilized by nearly 400 media outlets.

Free access to read informational guides is available on the Association’s website.  To obtain long term care insurance costs connect with a professional by calling the national organization at (818) 597-3227 or visit the Association’s website at www.aaltci.org.

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long term care insurance savings for women ending photo: Homewatch Caregivers

Los Angeles; August 26, 2013 – Single women between ages 50 and 70 have a final opportunity to obtain long term care insurance coverage with significant savings according to a campaign initiated by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.

“Two leading long term care insurance companies have started charging single women between 40 and 60 percent more than single men and two more insurers are poised to launch their new products with sex distinct pricing,” declares Jesse Slome, executive director of the national long term care insurance industry trade group.

“This creates a significant opportunity for women who have yet to act to do so while they still have the greater selection of quality companies offering unisex rates,” Slome shared.  “Soon women who are alone because they are divorced, widowed or have never been married will be paying more and they need to know they can lock in those savings now but only by acting sooner rather than later.”  The Association director announced their campaign to educate the millions of single women that the window of opportunity is closing.  “This is important and worthy of the added effort,” Slome said.

“Single women who are healthy today are extremely likely to live to ages when the need for long term care becomes highly likely,” Slome reports.  According to a recent report, a healthy 60-year-old woman has a 70 percent chance of reaching age 85, a 52 percent chance of living to age 90 and a 30 percent chance of living to age 95.

“Insurance companies have started charging women more because their risk of needing care services is higher,” Slome explains.   The AALTCI reported that the long term care insurance industry paid $6.6 billion of claim benefits paid last year and that two-thirds of all new claims were started by women.  “People still mistakenly associate long term care insurance with nursing home coverage but the truth is that most care is received in the person’s home, and that insurance can enable you to remain in your own home accessing quality care where and when you need it,” Slome concluded.

The Association urged single women between ages 50 and 70 to start by gaining a greater understanding of the risks and costs.  For additional information or to request long term care insurance costs and information connect with a designated long term care insurance specialist who is a member of the Association by calling the organization at 818-597-3227 or visiting their website.

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