Welcome to the fourth 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 …….

MAJOR CHANGE TO PRUDENTIAL’S UNDERWRITING !!!

Effective March 31, 2004 Long-Term Care preferred health discount will no longer be offered with unlimited lifetime maximum. LTC applications for policies without the “lifetime benefit” period will continue to be reviewed by underwriting for eligibility for the Preferred Health Discount. The change is effective with policies received in the Prudential LTC administrative unit on or after April 1, 2004. Applications submitted with a “Lifetime Benefit” prior to April 1, 2004 (and no later than March 31, 2004) will be considered for the Preferred Discount. This change is the result of a review of Prudential’s underwriting guidelines, business mix, claims data, and medical and technical advances, which they conduct on a regular basis to help assure they provide you with a competitive product. This discount shall continue to be available on all policies other than those with a Lifetime (unlimited) Benefit period, subject to underwriting approval. We encourage you to review any quotes or proposals that you have given out to your clients and make sure they take action immediately if they may be eligible for the Preferred Health Discount and are looking for lifetime benefits.

JUST ANNOUNCED … THE LAUNCH OF A NEW MULTI-LIFE CONSUMER WEBSITE !!!

MetLife has launched a generic website, subject to state approval*, that will allow the consumer to better understand MetLife’s Multi-Life LTC product. Some features included in the website allow employers, employees, and eligible family members the opportunity to: learn about LTC, Understand the cost of waiting, Review/print Outline of Coverage and applications, view the cost of LTC, view the MetLife VIP plan options and calculate premiums. Please visit: www.mymetlifeltc.com/full. *Available in all states EXCEPT: AL, AZ, AR, CA, DE, FL, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, NM, NC, OK, SD, TX, VT, VA, WV, and WY. Additional states will be added in the coming months.

MetLife has just been selected by the California Department of Health Services’ Partnership for Long-Term Care to offer Long-Term Care insurance to the over 37 million employees within the state. The program is slated to be ready for launch later in 2004.

HAVE YOU REGISTERED FOR THE BUILDING GROUP LTCI EXPERTISE & SALES CONFERENCE?

An insightful program for both the group LTCI beginner and Expert will be held on May 11 and 12 in Boston, MA sponsored by Sales Creators. You will hear from leading experts and learn the fundamentals of group LTCI as well as advanced sessions, some never presented before. To register, go to www.ltcsales.com.