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PRODUCT NEWS
Gender-distinct rates have been introduced in five states effective today, August 19, 2013
John Hancock has moved to gender-distinct rates on its individual LTC insurance policies, reflecting the male/female differences in the probability of benefits usage, effective today, August 19, 2013, in the following five states: Arizona, Delaware, New Jersey, Nevada, and South Dakota. Please review the explanatory flier for more information.

New applications and product brochures with gender-distinct rates available now
New applications, product brochures, and sales support materials for gender-distinct business in the five additional states are now orderable and/or available for download on jhltc.com. Check out the article for more information.

Transition guidelines
All applications for Custom Care III featuring Benefit Builder in the five additional states for current rates that were signed by August 18, 2013, must be received in the Home Office by August 26, 2013.

New version of Hansel Illustrator Desktop Software available now
Please note: The Hansel Illustrator Desktop Software version 16.0 expires today, August 19th. Please go to www.jhltc.com to download the latest version (16.1).

6 additional states have been added to LTC Captivate today, August 19th
AZ, DE, MT, NJ, NV, and SD are now available on LTC Captivate, John Hancock’s new web-selling platform for LTC insurance.

Montana remains on unisex pricing
The state of Montana does not allow for gender-distinct pricing due to state regulation. As a result, we will continue to price all new retail business in Montana on a unisex basis. However, effective today, August 19th , the couples/partner discount definition in Montana has changed to reflect that couples must apply at the same time for the same policy form, be approved for coverage, and accept the individual LTC insurance policies (policy premium must be paid). The couples/partner discount rate of 30% remains the same.
All applications for Custom Care III featuring Benefit Builder in Montana for current rates that were signed by August 18, 2013, must be received in the Home Office by August 26, 2013.

MARKETING NEWS
John Hancock to discontinue sales of its California Partnership Long-Term Care insurance product effective September 16th
John Hancock regularly monitors our long-term care insurance product portfolio to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of our customers and distributors. After a thorough analysis of our California long-term care insurance business, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue sales of our California Partnership individual long-term care insurance policies (policy form LTC-06 CAP) effective September 16, 2013. Read the full article to learn more.

Update to the Market Conduct Manual Appendix to the John Hancock Selling Agreement
Your Market Conduct Manual has been updated in accordance with passage of the Omnibus Rule which implements a number of provisions to strengthen the privacy and security protections for health information under HIPAA. Please read the full article regarding additional information on background, action needed, producer’s general responsibilities and a link to U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (“HHS”) website regarding additional guidance and sample agreements.

Revised HIPAA Privacy Notice – Omnibus Final Rule
In January, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Final Rule to modify certain elements of the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, with a September 23, 2013 compliance effective date.
Click here to learn more about the material changes to the HIPAA Privacy Notice, updated application booklets, and updated information about mailing timing for policyholders.

PARTNERSHIP NEWS
National Partnership launches in Missouri, Ohio, and West Virginia today, August 19th
John Hancock has launched our DRA Partnership programs in the following 3 states: Missouri, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Important: Missouri’s specific Partnership training requirement – If you have already taken this training, you must submit your certificates to the John Hancock licensing department. You will need both your 8-hour initial training as well as any current 4-hour refresher training certificates that you have. We will be providing more training and updated marketing material information in the coming weeks.
Click here to learn more about updated marketing materials.
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