Limited and Extended Care Planning Collective

I have considered myself an insurance professional for 40 plus years, three-fourths of it in LTCI and I will not give up the notion that the good guys and girls in our chosen corner of the insurance marketing universe are the ones that survive to tell their stories. We are consistent in strapping on our fiduciary armor every morning to restore and confirm each day our belief in the wisdom of understanding and leveraging risk. We understand better than most the value of planning ahead and drastically altering future outcomes by our diligent and caring interference.

Caregiving a powerful new documentary that delves into the triumphs and challenges faced by caregivers across the country, is proudly sponsored by the OneAmerica Financial Foundation. Narrated by Emmy Award-winning actress Uzo Aduba and executive produced by Academy Award-nominated actor Bradley Cooper, the film premiered on Tuesday, June 24 on PBS, PBS YouTube, and wellbeings.org.

The documentary offers a crucial look at the vital, yet often invisible, role of caregivers today. It explores the emotional, financial, and physical toll that caregiving can take on individuals and families, while also celebrating their incredible resilience, love, and innovative spirit.

Connect, Educate, and Sell with Confidence to the Next Generation of Clients

Long-term care (LTC) insurance may not be top-of-mind for clients in their 40s and early 50s—but it certainly should be. As an agent, your ability to sharpen your LTC insurance pitch for younger clients can set you apart from competitors and open the door to a new segment of long-term planners.

Today’s younger clients are value-driven, information-savvy, and often balancing financial planning with family responsibilities. Here’s how to tailor your pitch so it resonates, not repels.

A Medicaid Compliant Annuity (MCA) is a specialized financial tool designed to help seniors qualify for financial assistance while protecting their assets. For agents and advisors, an MCA provides a legal and strategic way to help clients spend down excess countable assets that would otherwise delay Medicaid eligibility.

Technically speaking, an MCA is an income-only, single premium immediate annuity designed to work with Medicaid’s requirements by converting assets into income. This conversion allows individuals to reduce their countable assets while ensuring a steady flow of income, ultimately helping them meet Medicaid’s strict financial requirements.

Integrating Medicaid Compliant Annuities (MCAs) into your planning process can be a powerful way to help clients secure long-term care funding. However, not every client is a good fit for an MCA. To determine if this strategy is the right solution, consider these three key factors.

What Happens When a Client Can’t Qualify for Long-Term Care Insurance?

Many people put off long-term care planning until it’s too late. Some assume they’ll never need professional care, while others avoid thinking about it altogether. Unfortunately, by the time they do consider planning, they may no longer qualify for long-term care insurance (LTCI) due to age, health conditions, or financial constraints.

If your client has been denied LTCI or waited too long to apply, they may assume they’re out of options. The good news? It’s not too late for you to help them protect their assets—even if they’re already facing a long-term care stay.

Many seniors generously give gifts to loved ones or donate to charities without realizing how these transfers might impact their Medicaid eligibility. While giving away assets may seem like a way to reduce countable resources, Medicaid has strict rules that can result in penalties and delayed benefits. Understanding these rules is essential when guiding clients through the spend-down process.

As underwriting for long-term care insurance (LTCI) continues to evolve, agents play a crucial role in guiding clients through the application process and improving their chances of approval. By educating clients, pre-screening health risks, and positioning alternative solutions, agents can help applicants secure the best coverage possible.

November is National Long-Term Care Awareness Month and it is a great time to bring potential limited and extended care planning needs top-of-mind with your clients. It is important for every comprehensive financial plan to include LTC considerations. So even if LTC insurance is not your primary line of business, Long-Term Care Awareness Month gives you a good opportunity to get clients up to speed.

California has not at this time established a publicly funded state-run long-term care insurance program or set deadlines for employees in the state to opt out. The state established a Task Force to study the possibility of such a program and make recommendations, and that study is ongoing. The California Department of Insurance has issued a revised Frequently Asked Questions Document to clear up some common misconceptions. Among topics covered by the FAQ are: