Welcome to our first edition of Long-Term Care in the News. We, at Custom Care Solution, LLC., want you to be on the cutting edge of changes and updates within the Long-Term Care industry. We will accomplish this through these email bulletins distributed each week to our brokers, agents and their staffs.

Long-Term Care In the News ……..

John Hancock’s latest generation of long-term care products, Custom Care II and Essential Care II are available in certain states effective immediately, including New York. The most unique feature of this policy includes a built-in “double indemnity” provision. New language in the LTC world. The biggest disappointment however, is that they have failed to include an Alternate Plan of Care provision.

Med America has received verbal approval from the State of New York for it’s latest and greatest, called Simplicity. This product is a “cash only” model – no reimbursement and though it is more expensive than its predecessor, it is competitive with other carriers reimbursement plans.

The Bush Budget for 2005 proposes an above the line deduction for qualified LTC premium, up to the age based limits in the existing LTC medical deduction. The new deduction would be phased in, starting with 25% of eligible premium in 2005 and increasing to 100% in 2008. The budget also proposes a 100% deduction for premiums paid for high-deductible health insurance bought in conjunction with Health Savings Accounts (HSA’s). This deduction would be available without itemizing.

As we announced previously, don’t forget to go to the NYS Partnership website www.nyspltc.org and download the information necessary to become certified to sell the Partnership product.

Underwriting Updates …….

Effective immediately, John Hancock will require a paramedical exam on all applicants age 55 and younger if they haven’t been to their primary care physician in 18 months.

Do you think you have a client who is uninsurable due to an existing diabetic condition?? MetLife accepts applications for insulin dependent diabetics. Call us today to pre-screen your clients.

CCS, LLC represents John Hancock, GE Capital, Mass Mutual, MedAmerica, MetLife, Physician’s Mutual, Prudential, State Life, Penn Treaty, TransAmerica and UNUM/Provident