We’ve been in this business a long time and there were many years when we sat down across the kitchen table from our clients to educate them about their choices and walk them through the application process.  Today, through the power of technology, we have created a simpler method for you – one where you can stay in the comfort of your own home for the entire process.

We’ll walk you through each detail, every step of the way.  Using screen-sharing technology, all you’ll do is click your mouse, and you’ll automatically see you adviser’s computer screen, where you will be walked through plan comparisons and options, covering every detail that would be explored in a face-to-face meeting.  We find that our customers enjoy this process because it is easy, straight-forward, and a whole lot less time consuming than the old-fashioned way.  We’ve thoughtfully engineered the experience to make it quick, convenient and frustration-free for you so that you can get back to enjoying your life, except now with the safety and satisfaction that your future, your assets and your family are protected.

Not exactly.  When you apply, the insurance company will conduct a personal interview with you by telephone or in-person.  Most companies will also order your medical records from your doctor.  What they see in your medical records, together with the results of your personal interview, determines if you will be approved for a plan.

You qualify for this protection with your good health, no matter your age.  Mostly, people put their long-term care plan in place between ages 45 – 60 when their health is still good enough to qualify.  Often, when people wait until their 60’s, they may already have too much negative medical history accumulated to qualify for a plan.

The typical annual premium is much less than paying for one month of long term care services out of your pocket.

Traditional standalone long-term care insurance works like your auto, homeowners, and health insurance.  You pay your premium monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually to keep your policy in force.  There is no cash value.  You receive the tax-free benefits to pay for your long-term care services when you file a claim.  Your premium may be subject to a rate increase in the future, but only if your State permits it.  Because you “pay-as-you-go,” these plans are more affordable.  They offer more flexibility at claim time and waive your premium when you are receiving care.  They offer appealing coverage options such as Shared Care for couples, may be certified under your State’s Partnership for Long-Term Care Program to protect your assets, and for business owners, premiums are tax deductible.

Hybrid long-term care life insurance links whole life or universal life insurance with long-term care coverage to: 1) pay for your long-term care services if you need care, or 2) pay your estate a tax-free life insurance benefit if you don’t need care, or 3) guarantee you can receive your money back if you change your mind and want to cancel your policy.  These hybrids require more substantial premium to fund them up-front, either in a single one-time payment or payments for up to 10 years.  (One company will allow you to pay premiums over your lifetime.)  Because you essentially “pay-up-front”, your premiums can never be subject to a rate increase.  Typical ways to fund these are by exchanging the cash value from an existing life insurance policy or repositioning a liquid asset such as a CD (Certificate of Deposit).

Practically every state in the nation has a Long-Term Care Partnership Program.  It is a partnership between your state government and private insurance companies.  Insurance companies voluntarily agree to participate by offering long-term care insurance policies that meet your state’s specified criteria.  The state agrees to provide Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) asset protection to people who purchase partnership-qualified policies.

Rates do not go up as you get older.  Rates do not go up if you file a claim.  Your rates are fixed at the age that you buy the policy.  The only way that your rate can go up is if your State approves a rate increase on all policies for everyone who owns that policy series.  If that is the case, you will have the ability at that time to either accept the rate increase or lower your benefits to maintain your original rate.

No, never.

When it was first introduced over forty years ago, long-term care insurance was marketed as nursing home insurance. That is why often times it is still misunderstood.  Today’s long-term care plans encompass a broad variety of treatment and care-giving options, such as home health care, homemaker services, adult care homes and other assisted living arrangements, in addition to nursing homes. They also contain provisions to adapt as technology changes so that they cover the care capabilities that will be available 30-40 years from now. Most people receive long-term care in settings outside of a nursing home. Today more than 70% of long-term care policyholders are using their plans to be cared for in the comfort of their own home.

Being thorough and candid about your health history is the most important first step.  The better we know this, the better we can help you.  Not every company will take every medical condition.  Some are better for certain conditions than others.  Our years of experience and relationships with Underwriters at all of the companies allows us to guide you to the best company with the best chance for your approval.

Many people think (or hope) that the other insurances they have will pay for long-term care but here is the reality:

• your group health insurance or your HMO has no coverage for long-term care
• long term disability doesn’t pay for long-term care; it pays for your lost income
• Medicare doesn’t cover the day-to-day personal care assistance you need if you are unable to take care of yourself