Long-Term Care Insurance Guide Available in La.

Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance J. Robert Wooley announced that a 2005-2006 Long-Term Care Insurance Comparison Guide has been published by the Louisiana Department of Insurance’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). The updated guide is designed to give consumers a better understanding of long-term care insurance and detailed information for shopping for the insurance.

“I felt it was important for the Department to offer this guide to consumers now, given the many changes in long-term care insurance policies in the past few years, plus the fact that the national average cost of long-term care has reached almost $55,000 per year,” Wooley stated.

Wooley said the SHIIP staff compiled information for this easy-to-read, 39-page guide using the different long-term care insurance policies sold in Louisiana.

“This publication is intended as a guide only and should be viewed as a starting point for consumers wanting to purchase long-term care insurance,” Wooley added. “It provides a wealth of information about who may need long-term care insurance, how to obtain it and common elements between different policies. The guide also gives consumers information on what these policies can cost, an explanation of terminology used in long-term care policies and shopping tips for buying long-term care insurance,” he said.

Alan Heumann, director of SHIIP, feels that long-term care insurance is an extremely complicated issue. “There are so many components that make up a policy, such as pre-existing conditions, elimination periods and services covered. However, it is important to get a long-term care policy that fits your particular needs, and this guide can help you decide what may be best for you,” Heumann said.

The easiest way to access the 2005-2006 Long-Term Care Insurance Comparison Guide is online, at www.ldi.state.la.us, but citizens can also get a printed copy by calling the SHIIP toll-free number, (800) 259-5301.

SHIIP is the state health insurance assistance program from the Louisiana Department of Insurance. The program provides objective counseling and information on Medicare and senior insurance products at no cost.