October 28th, 2013 BY ED MCCARTHY, CFP Many clients who reject long-term care insurance (LTCI) or consider dropping their coverage do so on the argument that it’s too expensive. But that attitude overlooks several important aspects of the costs of not buying the coverage, including the financial and personal burdens imposed on long-term care (LTC) recipients’... Read more…
October 18th, 2013 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The incidence of stroke in people aged 20-64 jumped by a quarter, according to a new analysis of more than 100 studies published between 1990 and 2010. Stroke is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, though the death rate from stroke is actually falling due to better treatment options.... Read more…
October 23th, 2013 BY Jeff Sadler Say what you will about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), but it is having a positive effect on the voluntary worksite marketplace. The majority of Americans seem to feel that health insurance coverage will never be the same and that future coverage will be less comprehensive and more costly.... Read more &... Read more…
October 21st, 2013 BY Maria Wood Numerous studies have underscored the physical and psychological strain of taking care of an aging, ailing loved one. However, a recent study by Genworth quantifies the monetary loss that caregiving could entail without the benefit of long-term care insurance (LTCI) or some form of pre-planning. The new report, “Beyond Dollars: A Way... Read more…
October 18th, 2013 By USAA You’ve worked hard to set aside money to retire comfortably, but a major medical event could eat up decades of savings in just a few years or even months. “Custodial care can cost $80,000 a year or more,” says J.J. Montanaro, a certified financial planner ™ practitioner with USAA. “That’s... Read more…
October 14th, 2013 By Robert Pear Medicare beneficiaries can sign up for private health plans starting Tuesday, but federal officials fear that many of them, out of confusion, might go to the new federal insurance exchange. In fact, people with Medicare generally cannot buy insurance through the exchange. Policies sold there duplicate many benefits provided by Medicare,... Read more…
October 15th, 2013 By Susan Jaffe The seven-week enrollment period for next year’s Medicare prescription drug and managed-care plans begins Tuesday, but seniors shouldn’t simply renew their policies and assume the current coverage will stay the same. There’s a likely payoff for those who pay close attention to the details. Among the top ten most popular... Read more…
October 11th, 2013 By Tim Mullaney Post-stroke care warrants increased attention in light of a study showing people have poor quality of life in the years following a stroke, according to researchers. A research team based in the United Kingdom analyzed five years’ worth of questionnaire responses from about 750 people who experienced a stroke.... Read more…
October 9th, 2013 Today Rob Cohen, CPA, a long-term care insurance leader with ACSIA Long Term Care, announced his commitment to LTC education by accepting a position on the Advisory Board of the 3in4 Association. Rob has over 21 years of progressive experience in the LTC industry, including running the largest division of a major... Read more…
September 30th, 2013 By Bob Herman The total cost of hospital stays in 2011 totaled about $387 billion, but which inpatient conditions were most expensive? According to an August statistical brief from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Medicare and Medicaid picked up most of that inpatient hospital tab — 63 percent, or $242.9... Read more…