Nickname: DennisWav

Review: I came across longtermhealthcareplan.com which explained that our regular health insurance should be called "short-term" insurance because it usually only covers a few weeks at best. The problem is that the majority of people just don't know what is in store for them in the future. They live in denial even when they see someone like Chris Reeve and his family go through it, they still think, "it won't happen to me." But who has the guts, or compassion to visit a nursing home and see where they're headed? You'll pay either less now or more later, either way you're gonna pay.

Date reviewed: Jun 20, 2007 5:15 AM

Nickname: Ken

Review: Few people plan for long-term care. www.guidetolongtermcare.com has some good information both for care and insurance. I'm 57 and have taken care of one parent (age) and one friend (Alzheimer's). Like the boy scout motto: be prepared.

Date reviewed: Apr 1, 2007 3:17 AM

Nickname: David Lighthill

Review: The article is a little weak on some of its research, but not too bad, for what it purports to be. The big problem with long-term care insurance--not discussed by the article or any of the commenters--is that while the carrier cannot raise rates except for the entire "class" of policy holders, it can, should it decide to leave the business, just quit offering the product to new customers. The result, as the existing policy holders age and the size of the group shrinks, is to drive the premiums on existing holders into enormous and unaffordable increases --the so-called premium death spiral--forcing holders to cancel or non renew their policies, often at ages when they cannot possibly afford to buy another policy. Moreover, it did it without telling the policy holders and without, in the fairer alternative, selling the portfolio to another insurer that was staying in the business.

Date reviewed: Jan 5, 2007 8:39 PM

Nickname: Phyllis

Review: Most major companies have never had a rate increase and if they did, it wouldn't be based on age or sex or specific benefits as this article implies. It would be for an entire class of policyholders, most likely in a specific geographical area for a certain policy form. Each product is identified with a specific form number, so it could be that policy all over the country or confined to a specific geographical area. My other point is that inflation coverage is critical - just buy it!!

Date reviewed: Nov 8, 2006 7:13 PM

Nickname: Doug

Review: I am LTC Insurance specialist for the past 30 years. This is all I do. Unfortunately, as some of the other comments have pointed out, you are dead wrong on some of your points. And this is part of the problem. Some people will take your information as "gospel" and form the wrong conclusion as to whether LTCI is right for them. You and other publications need to do more homework. Where in the world did you come with "pre-existing conditions will not be covered?" That is 100% wrong. You may have done more damage than good. Doug Worman

Date reviewed: Oct 30, 2006 1:18 PM

Nickname: Hartland

Review: I have been an Long Term Care specialist for 7 years. There are many planners that know the need for Long Term Care insurance, but most don't know the differences between policies due to language, and at times, not even the value of cost of living increase riders when compared to investing the additional premium instead. I work with many planners that find it benefits their clients to work with a LTC specialist as a part of the team. No one wants to use this insurance, but the facts show it is something many of us will face and families need the help a good plan will provide. An insurance specializing in Long Term Care can tailor a plan to help families be prepared. The quality carriers I represent have not raised premiums on existing policy holders. Premium safeguards are available in many policies to assure people can keep their policies. Again, this is where working with an expert can be beneficial.

Date reviewed: Oct 26, 2006 2:57 AM

Nickname: Freddyv

Review: The reason one contacts an insurance professional for help in long-term care planning is the same reason one contacts a tax professional for advice regarding tax code and law. Many LTC planners encourage family to participate in care provision and design policies, such as home care plans, that provide funding for the aspects of care that are best performed by professionals, freeing both parent and child from the awkwardness presented by chores such as bathing, toileting, etc. THe best advice you can provide is to see someone with a CLTC designation.

Date reviewed: Oct 25, 2006 4:02 AM

Nickname: KLeC

Review: In the 16 years I have been specializing in LTCi, not a single policyholder of mine has experienced a rate increase. The author failed to dig deeply enough in presenting something this important. There are quality choices available in the LTCi marketplace.

Date reviewed: Oct 24, 2006 3:22 PM

Nickname: Sandy

Review: Your article barely mentions the families that will benefit from this kind of coverage for their parents. Children want to help with their parents, but rarely raise their hand to take over the entire process. Who is going to step in and plan, execute and oversee on a continuing basis their loved ones' care? Very few, not often enough, and with minimal information on how to. This is were long term care insurance really helps. I know that when my mother needed help, I lived in another state, and relied on the home healthcare agency and their professionals to put the plan of care in place and adjust it according to my mother's needs and personal wishes.I am so glad she purchased this coverage and so were my sisters.

Date reviewed: Oct 20, 2006 5:28 PM

Nickname: Certified LTC Planner

Review: In addition to the blunders already cited regarding the article on LTC planning, the number of baby boomers is widely reported to be 70 million, not 82 million, and at least half (35 million), not a mere 6 to 12 million, will live long enough to require long-term care. The reporter erroneously states that premiums "tend to increase when you get older". Not true for the vast majority of policyholders, whose companies have never raised rates on their insurees. What she should have said was that the price goes up for each year a buyer delays purchasing. In fact, by law the premiums can never go up simply because one has a birthday. I believe she meant well, but, like most of the popular press, she didn't adequately educate herself on the subject before dispensing critical information. This could have devastating consequences for readers whose retirement strategies are influenced by flawed reportage.

Date reviewed: Oct 20, 2006 6:40 AM