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Insurance

Insurers try new tack for breathing life into long-term care policies

June 15, 2011

In an effort to boost long-term care insurance policy sales, more companies have begun selling combination products that also include traditional life insurance. These hybrid policies are usually built using universal life, which has an investment component. The policies also may pay out the death benefit early to help finance care. Sales of these new policies more than doubled last year at Genworth Financial Inc. That's quite a contrast from traditional long-term care insurance policies, which have seen their sales fall by nearly a quarter in the last five years.

Federal judge rules reform law's insurance mandate unconstitutional

December 14, 2010

A Virginia federal judge Monday ruled that the "individual mandate" aspect of the healthcare reform law violates the Constitution. It is the first such ruling among trial courts.

Good timing for AAHSA conference

Liza Berger November 06, 2009

Emotions will be running high at the rapidly approaching conference of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. The question is, will the mood be one of elation or disappointment?

The gloves to come off in reform debate

October 29, 2009

Now that House Democrats, the dominant party in that chamber, have issued their proposal for healthcare reform, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office will put a price tag on it. The full House then could vote on the measure by the end of next week.

Sebelius praises CLASS Act

July 08, 2009

The Senate proposal to create a national long-term care disability insurance program Tuesday gained the key support of President Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Survey: Most healthcare providers believe national health insurance plan would hurt care quality

June 12, 2009

A total of 75% of healthcare providers think that a national health insurance plan would reduce the quality of care or have a neutral effect. That is according to the results of a study of 500 various healthcare providers, including nursing homes.

Kohl introduces bill to increase long-term care insurance use but cautions about over-reliance

June 05, 2009

Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI) has introduced legislation that would encourage the purchase of long-term care insurance. But he also emphasized during a Wednesday hearing of the Special Committee on Aging, which he chairs, that long-term care insurance still may not be for everyone and "should not be considered as a cure-all."

Several healthcare groups push for public insurance option as part of healthcare reform

June 02, 2009

Several healthcare groups, including the Service Employees International Union, kicked off a major campaign Monday to ensure inclusion of a public insurance option in healthcare reform.

Republicans release conservative, moderate versions of healthcare reform

May 21, 2009

As a rebuttal to Democrats' healthcare reform plans, congressional Republicans on Wednesday introduced two alternative proposals. Both of them emphasize private market controls over government ownership.

Healthcare groups commit to cutting costs; Minnix reiterates need to talk about long-term care

May 12, 2009

Major healthcare providers pledged Monday to reduce cost increases by $2 trillion over the next decade. In response, one long-term care association issued a statement about the importance of including long-term care in any discussion about healthcare reform.

AHCA applauds new long-term care insurance bill

April 06, 2009

The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living declared their support for the Long-Term Care Affordability and Security Act of 2009 (S. 702). The recently introduced bill would allow long-term care insurance to be offered under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements.

Insurance company unloads long-term care policies onto state trust

December 05, 2008

Insurance company Conseco transferred many of its long-term care policies to a trust because of the enormous costs associated with supporting these policies, according to a news report.

Groups pressure Obama to act on healthcare reform

November 12, 2008

Four advocacy groups launched a $1 million advertising blitz on Tuesday urging President-elect Barack Obama to focus on healthcare reform during his first 100 days in office.

Report: Medicaid long-term care spending to skyrocket over next 20 years

October 02, 2008

Many consumers are ill-informed about Medicare and Medicaid's role in long-term care, and greater planning could help reduce the danger of soaring Medicaid costs, according to a new report from America's Health Insurance Plans.

Most Americans favor overhaul of healthcare system

August 08, 2008

Roughly 82% of Americans believe in significantly changing the U.S. healthcare system, citing experiences with disorganized doctors, expensive insurance and unnecessary treatments as reasons for change, according to a new survey.

Long-term care insurance practices subject of committee hearing

July 25, 2008

The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on oversight and investigations Thursday explored new worrisome findings regarding rate-setting and claims-settling practices in the long-term care insurance industry.

Experts: Medicare should help pay for long-term care coverage

July 22, 2008

Adding a long-term care benefit to the Medicare program would be a favorable way to help address the impending challenges related to the aging baby-boom generation, healthcare experts say in a new Commonwealth Fund/Modern Healthcare survey.

Genworth: nursing home costs up 2.2%

April 30, 2008

The average national cost of a private nursing home room inched up 2.2% this year, rising to $76,460 (or $209 per day), according to the latest annual survey results from Genworth Financial. The average cost of a one-room assisted living unit, meanwhile, jumped 11%, to $36,090.

60 Seconds with...

April 01, 2008

Stephen McConnell, VP for advocacy and public policy, Alzheimer's Association

Ask the legal expert

John Durso April 01, 2008

The raiding of resident trust funds and theft of insurance checks by staff are perhaps the two most significant fraud/embezzlement problems in long-term care. What is your advice for guarding against them?

Providers uncomfortable with insurance bill

March 21, 2008

Nursing home providers and legislators in Oklahoma have different opinions about new legislation requiring nursing homes to carry at least $250,000 in liability insurance.

New proposal calls for more personal investment in LTC

January 17, 2008

Those who contribute to their long-term care coverage could see a federal benefit for care under a new joint proposal from the American Health Care Association, the National Center for Assisted Living, and the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care.