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Welcome to my blog. It is my goal to give you the latest and most accurate information in regards to long term healthcare for you or any members of your family.

Long Term Care Insurance Tax Deductibility Promoted by AALTCI

Many people are not aware that certain long term care insurance policies offer significant potential for tax reduction.  To heighten awareness, the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance distributed information to news outlets explaining the benefits.

“This is an important benefit that can save many people, especially retirees, and very few people are aware,” declares Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.  “We are pleased to see that the information we distributed has already been used by some 200 media outlets across the country.”

The news effort promoted the increased tax deductible limits just approved by the IRS for 2016.  “Considering the government is not increasing Social Security benefit payments in 2016, I expected there would be no increase in the tax deductible limits,” Slome noted.  “This is an important validation of the fact that government officials want to encourage more Americans to plan.”

The maximum long-term care insurance tax deduction that can be taken by a couple is $9,500 off their 2015 taxes.  The IRS approved an increase to $9.740 for 2016.

The American Association for Long Term Care Insurance was established to promote sound and affordable planning for Americans.  The organization is based in Westlake Village, CA.  Jesse Slome has served as director since 1998.  For more information, visit the organization’s website.

To see some of the media results from the story:

Boston (Boston Globe)
http://finance.boston.com/boston/news/read/30874585/IRS_Increases_Long_Term_Care_Insurance_Deductible_Limits

Moningstar
http://news.morningstar.com/all/market-wired/MWR11G068779001US/irs-increases-long-term-care-insurance-deductible-limits.aspx

Los Angeles Daily News
http://markets.financialcontent.com/mng-lang.dailynews/news/read/30874585/IRS_Increases_Long_Term_Care_Insurance_Deductible_Limits

Ft. Worth Star Telegram
http://markets.financialcontent.com/mi.startelegram/news/read/30874585/IRS_Increases_Long_Term_Care_Insurance_Deductible_Limits

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
http://finance.jsonline.com/jsonline/news/read/30874585/IRS_Increases_Long_Term_Care_Insurance_Deductible_Limits

Long Term Care Insurance Underwriters To Convene For Broadcast

Present and future issues and trends facing long term care insurance health underwriting will be explored by five of the nation’s leading underwriters.

“Long term care insurance companies set specific criteria for who is an acceptable applicant and the standards continually evolve,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI).   “We are so pleased that five of the nation’s leading insurers will be represented on the panel as part of the free online broadcast.”

The Association’s 2015 National Long-Term Care Sales Summit takes place October 27, 2015.  The entire conference will be streamed online and available for free to anyone interested in watching.  The Underwriters panel begins at 4:35 PM Eastern time.

Participating on the panel are Valerie King, Staff Underwriting Consultant, Nationwide, Sal Maiure, Underwriting Supervisor, LTC, Transamerica Life & Protection, Steve Ramczyk, Senior Underwriting Director, John Hancock Long Term Care, Susie Sughrue, Vice President, Individual Underwriting, OneAmerica, and Craig Thurston,  LTC Senior Underwriter, Genworth Financial.  David Hillelsohn, Brokerage Manager, Haslett Management Group will moderate.

Those interested in watching the broadcast can pre-register at www.insuranceexpos.com in order to get the access website information.  There is no cost to watch and access will be available on any device with Internet access.  Viewers will be able to pose questions online to the panel.

Expand Consumer Solutions Urges Long Term Care Insurance Association Director

A variety of insurance and financial products exist today that can help individuals deal with the high costs associated with needing long term care services.   The head of the national long term care insurance trade group encourages more insurance agents to broaden their horizon in order to help benefit more of their clients and prospects.

“There once were just a handful of mutual funds for consumers to choose from and today there are hundreds,” shares Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance, a national organization that advocates for sensible planning.   “Today there are a wide range of different ways to approach sensible long term care planning.

Slome spoke today with a leading national distributor of long term care insurance products.  “If we want to help more consumers, we need to start by educating more insurance professionals to the various available solutions,” Slome shared at the meeting.   AALTCI recently established the National Advisory Center for Short Term Care which will focus on building awareness and sales of STC insurance products.

“Short term care insurance or recovery care products are one of the newer options that can be especially attractive to those in their 60s, 70s and 80s,” Slome shared with the distributor.   On Tuesday, October 27, 2015, Slome will present four online workshops for agents interested in learning more about short term care insurance products.

“Anyone interested in learning more about these solutions can watch the live broadcast online via any computer or device with Internet access,” Slome shared.  There is no cost.

Getting The Best Long Term Care Insurance Costs Is Focus Of Latest AALTCI Video

Don’t pay more than you need to for long term care insurance warns the head of the national long term care insurance trade group.

“There can be a significant difference in what insurance companies charge for long term care insurance, a face few consumers are aware of,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI).  The trade group just posted a new five-minute video that shares tips on getting the best coverage for the best cost.

“No one taught me how to buy my first car and I know I overpaid,” Slome shares.   “I was better prepared when I bought my next car but you generally only buy long term care insurance one time during your lifetime.  There rarely are do-overs so you’d better get as much knowledge when you start.”

The video provides an overview along with a comparison of rates for both a 55-year old male and a 55-year old female.  “We show the lowest available cost and the highest cost for virtually identical coverage,” Slome shares.  “Most people are shocked to see the difference but once they do, they understand the importance of getting the right information before they make this very important decision.”

The Association’s new video can be accessed at https://youtu.be/OIz6aADW5eY

Federal Long Term Care Insurance Plan Raises Rates Reports AALTCI

Costs for the long term care insurance program offered to federal employees, military personnel, retired federal workers and certain family members have been increased.

“This frankly was a surprise because the program is up to be rebid shortly when one assumes rates will go up,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI). “The last premium increase took place back in 2009 which made this policy less expensive than many policies available to individuals. That may seem good but it also means a rate increase for policyholders or a change in policy benefits could be likely.”

According to Slome, the Federal long-term care insurance program is the nation’s largest. “It’s a voluntary program and we haven’t seen numbers lately but at one time, there were some 270,000 plan participants,” Slome acknowledged.

“Is the federal plan the best option for someone who is eligible?” Slome rhetorically asks. “It could very well be, especially if you are a single woman or have some existing health conditions. But if you are in good health or qualify for a discount insurers offer to couples or partners when one or both apply, it really pays to compare.”

Slome advises consumers interested in comparing long term care insurance policies work with a knowledgeable specialist who can compare at least four or five of the major insurers. “There are significant price and policy option differences that make it important to work with someone who does not favor just one particular policy,” Slome shares.

Home Care Insurance Policy Available Up To Age 89 Is Focus Of Latest AALTCI Video

People associate long term care insurance with nursing home coverage but what they really want is care at home.  A new video from the national long term care insurance trade group shares information on an available option. the head of the national long term care insurance trade group.

“We get calls daily from spouses or family members who are looking for insurance that will pay for home care services,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI).  “Most of the time, the individual is too old or can not health qualify for traditional long-term care insurance.

The trade group just posted a new four-minute video that shares a home care insurance policy available in a number of states.  The policy can provide up to $750-per-week for home care services when the individual meets the policy requirements.

“Traditional long term care insurance policies stop taking new applications after age 75 and most are sold with a 90-day deductible or elimination period,” Slome shares.   ”Often, especially with older individuals, home care services are desired immediately and when we find an option worth considering, we like to share it with consumers.”\

The Association’s new video can be accessed at https://youtu.be/QozR9jtQtMk

Created in 1998, the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance works to create heightened awareness among both consumers and insurance professionals.  The National Advisory Center for Short Term Care Information was created to make American consumers aware of options that can affordably provide benefits for care needs.