Nebraska Department of Insurance
THE NEBRASKA HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE (NICA) PROGRAM
MARCH 1999 NICA NEWS
GOLD RECORDS
Record # (9)(Buffalo)/98/12 (Volunteer A. Schroeder): The volunteer was asked by a client to compare two Long-Term Care Policies. The questions were: How much would be covered under each policy? How much money would be saved under each policy? What would be the benefit period?The volunteer pointed out several issues. One point of discussion was, as a volunteer, we can only assist with comparing the policies, the client still needs to make up her own mind. The client had coverage under one of the companies since the late 1980's. Therefore, the client was encouraged to write for information from the companies and ask questions for comparison of both companies.
One company paid $100 per day; the other paid $60 per day. One company was unwilling to quote a price for longer than three years of LTC confinement, which was the length of the policy. The other company had quoted benefits for five years, the length of its policy.
The company that the client is currently insured with has a three-day hospitalization requirement period before the benefits are available. This can no longer be part of a new Long-Term Care Policy's restrictions.
This NICA Volunteer is new. We applaud your time and effort to assist this client. First and foremost, no opinion was given. In addition, assistance was given in obtaining all the necessary information for the client to make an informed decision.
Effective in August 1990, a Long-Term Care Policy may not require a person to be institutionalized before admittance to a LTC Facility.