Podcasts about ltc insurance

After reviewing planning strategies for hybrid or linked benefit LTC plans, this week we are comparing shared and individual traditional or stand-alone LTC plans. Yes, there have been rate increases on these plans, but over the last 20 years or so, traditional LTC plans have gotten much healthier.  Listen and learn how. When funding using income or on a budget, these plans can help families afford to get through an extended care need without bankrupting their loved ones.   It's easy to see that there are several ways to design and fund your long term care plan. Schedule some time to start preparing for your tomorrow  Learn what your state Medicaid program lets you keep to qualify for state Medicaid benefits (not recommended by us) View both current and projected costs of care

Anna & Marty compare shared hybrid life/LTC plans with separate LTC plans for each of them. It's a matter of preference and goals. The LTC and death benefit are directly related, so plans with higher LTC benefits have larger death benefits.  The death benefit acts as a return of premium if care isn't needed. The key differences in shared and individual plans is who can use the LTC benefits and for how long, who can be beneficiary, and when does the death benefit pay? Listen and learn how these plans differ and what Anna and Marty decided. Schedule an initial free consultation View current and projected costs of care where you live Learn what your state's Medicaid system lets us keep and receive care  Estimate rates for 6 year plans with 3% inflation growth Many don't want a full 6 year benefit period, so please understand that smaller plans have lower rates.

This week, we need to pay attention that LTC is not just a women's issue.  It used to be more focused on women because we live longer and are more likely to live alone when help is needed.   Today, with so many divorces, we have a lot of single men who will also be living alone when help is needed.  But men are the providers for their kids and familiues.  There is no time to consider that you won't be providing. LTC insurance helps you continue to provide for and protect your kids, even if you can no longer provide for yourself.  It's hard to think and talk about this today, but without a plan, it will be more difficult and costly to your kids later. Watch this 3 minute tear jerking video of a son showering and shaving his dad When we have help helping our parents, it doesn't mean we don't love them as much.  It means they loved us enough to prepare for this day and not overwhelm us. View current and projected costs of care where you live Learn what your state's Medicaid program lets you keep to qualify for state benefits And then schedule a phone or zoom meeting with me to design your LTC plan  

This week, Diane shares what she learned while attending the 2025 Genworth LTC Symposium "Sustainable Solutions:  The Future of Long Term Care Financing". We all agree on the problem and wonder how long it will take for all parties (public & private) to agree on a solution. The links below provide info on who is supporting the Well-Being Insurance for Seniors to be at Home (WISH) Act. Please reach out to your Congressmen/women and ask then to support this Act as it will help our most vulnerable population while fostering a more vibrant and affordable LTC insurance solution. Schedule with me to start planning WISH Act summary and links to full bill text National Council on Aging  American Geriatric Society American Academy of Physicians American College of Physicians National Alliance for Caregiving  

This week, I interviewed Mike Simenstad, an LTC veteran with 34 years of experience working for several LTC carriers and distributors.  He currently works for National Guardian Life (NGL), a traditonal LTC company across the United States. Mike, and others in his role help me and other LTC specialists to be able to work smarter for our clients.  We all work together as a team to find the best solution for each family. Mike answers questions about tools/resources consumers use to research and why that can  get confusing.   We discuss actions people are taking today to plan, and we discuss how the traditional LTC industry has evolved and gotten much healthier over the last 50 years. Learn costs of care where you live Estimate LTC premiums for plans with a 6 year benefit period and 3% compounding inflation When we talk we will decide if larger or smaller plans will meet your needs better, but this a good start. Learn what you state's Medicaid program will currently let you keep and access the state Medicaid sysytem for care Schedule a phone or Zoom meeting with me  

We often hear from sons and daughters who want to buy LTC coveeage for a parent.  This could be to preserve a family home, to avoid Medicaid, or because they watched their parents care for their own parents for several years.  They don't want to go through that again. This works if the parent is still healthy enough to be approved by an insurance company. Different kinds of planning strategies are offered by different companies up to various age limits, and health questions differ as well. We can be pretty certain that Medicaid will be less accomodating in the future.  Learn more about that with resources from View current and projected costs of care where you live Estimate premiums for 6 year LTC plans Learn what your state Medicaid program lets you keep today Schedule a meeting to learn more

This week, I'm hearing that people want to plan for potential LTC needs, but they are afraid to do that today because of our uncertain economy and stock market fluctuations. It's more important than ever to own our own plan today.  Federal programs are being gutted, and Medicare and Medicaid are the two biggest expenses on the federal budget.  Medicaid is not going to do more in the future. People who thought thay had enough savings to self fund care are seeing today that that should not be a lone solution.  Those who are drawing from retirement accounts today to pay for care will have no opportunity for a rebound. That money is GONE! There aren't enough professional caregivers today to keep up with demand. We need to be our own advocates and plan for future care needs.  We're going to get through this, and many of us will continue to live a long life.  When we live a long life, we get old.  And when we get old, we need help living. It's much easier to get help when we plan ahead. Schedule with me today  

We and our financial advisors are preparing to need money to last 30 plus years in retirement, yet we don't trust LTC insurance companies to help protect us during that time. If we think we're going to live that long, do we really believe we will remain as strong, healthy and active as we are today?  Look at our parents and grandparents. Humans slow down as we age.  Dementia is showing up in our 60s.  People are having strokes in their 50s due to stress. We need to be prepared. LTC insurance is strictly regulated by the NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) to make sure that rules are followed for marketing and claims.  Learn how our state departments of insurance protect us The America Association for LTC insurance was created in 1988 to educate consumers and support insurance/financial professionals.  You can learn a lot from them The report from Faegre Drinker on NAIC Model regulation can be found Estimate LTC premiums View current and projected costs of care where you live Schedule a meeting with me and Prepare for Tomorrow 

I wanted to title this episode "Stable & Controlled" because that's what LTC health underwriters look for in every applicant's medical history. Today, I share several things not to do until after you've applied and been approved for some form of LTC insurance. We don't need to be in perfect health, but we need to be aware of red flags that the insurance companies will view as an unacceptable risk. Listen and learn what not to do until both you and the insurance company of your choice have made decisions and coverage is in place. Schedule with me to design your plan   Estimate traditional and hybrid LTC premiums   Learn what your state Medicaid system lets you keep Explore current and projected future costs of care at home, in assisted living and in nursing homes   

I was introduced to a couple ages 79 and 72 who thought it might be too late to plan for LTC protection. Thankfully, companies that offer LTC coverage continue to create new ways to plan and help older Americans protect their loved ones when an extended care need shows up. If you think you may have waited too long, you might be surprized at what is available today. Schedule a meeting to learn more Estimate LTC insurance premiums (These are not the plan I'm sharing today) Check out current and projected costs of care where you live Schedule a quick question Learn what your state's Medicaid system let's you keep

This week, we answer two questions by sharing some history of the long term care industry. 1) Do I have to go to a nursing home to receive my benefits? 2) Can I use my LTC policy to pay my family? Listen and learn how the LTC industry has evolved over the last 51 years to accomodate needs and desires of our aging population. Estimate LTC premiums Schedule to ask me a question Learn how much income and assets your state Medicaid system let's you keep Catch more episodes Learn current and projected costs for home care, assisted living and nursing home care  Schedule with me to design your plan

Many believe that Medicare pays for long term care needs.   Many also confuse Medicare and Medicaid. Listen and learn how both of these government programs work and why we need to understand why it's important to plan for ourselves and maintain control over where we live and who is helping us when we are unable to care for ourselves for an extended and unknown amount of time. What state Medicaid offices let you keep Schedule a meeting with me 15 minutes to ask a question - schedule Check out current & projected costs of care Estimate LTC premiums Listen to more episodes

This is always the question.  We all want to wait as long as we can before paying for something we don't want to own to protect our family from something that we don't want to happen.   Let me tell you - if that something is going to happen, it will whether we plan or not. Don't end up where the state Medicaid system "puts you" because you didn't plan ahead. Most people plan 25 years before along term care need arises.  When should you plan?  Listen here.  Schedule a meeting Ask a question Estimate LTC premiums   Learn what Medicaid let's you keep See projected costs of care American Association of LTCinsurance

Estimate LTC premiums Schedule a meeting with me Ask a quick question Listen to more episodes Learn what your state lets you keep to qualify for Medicaid Cost of care estimator is

Estimate LTC insurance premiums here: Ask a question here:   Listen to more podcast episodes here:   What your state let's you keep:   Schedule a phone or Zoom meeting here:   

LTC Resources  Estimate LTC insurance premiums here Ask a question here Listen to podcast episodes here What your state let's you keep:   Cost of care estimator:   Social Security life expectancy table: Social Security life expectancy by DOB:  

Schedule with me at Ask a question at Website: Podcast episodes:   What your state let's you keep:   Cost of Care estimator:      

As you gather with family and friends this holiday season, I ask you to notice sons and daughters helping their moms and dads perform simple tasks like cutting their food or getting in and out of chairs. Ask yourself and your spouse/partner what you would like to have happen when you reach a point when it's your turn to need help. Do you have kids?  Can they, and do you want them to be forced to help you alone?  Or do you want to prepare a written plan that includes answers to their questions and resources to help them? If you don't have kids, I ask you to think about who will be taking on that role for you? LTC insurance is simply a tool the provides funding for you to be able to control your care experience and to decide with your doctors and family where the best place is for you to receive that care. Who wants to hand that control over to the state Medicaid department?  Not anyone I know. Whether to decide to own insurance or not, you need a plan.  You need to write that plan down and share it with your family so they know what you want and where you want to be. Email me at to request two free planning guides to help you help your family help you. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

We read the news so you don't have to! Welcome to The Kitchen Table Finance Podcast, the show where we explore the big questions, trends, and stories shaping our lives. Today, we're diving into the key retirement headlines from November. Retirement isn't just about money—it's a major life transition, and this month's stories highlight the emotional, social, and financial challenges that come with it. We'll cover: The identity shift of leaving work behind—Who will you be without your job? Americans are deeply tied to their work identities, and we'll explore strategies like “identity bridging” to navigate this transition. The pitfalls of poor planning—From underestimating healthcare costs to taking Social Security too early, we'll review common mistakes retirees make and how to avoid them. Long-term care fears—With only a fraction of retirees covered by LTC insurance, we'll discuss innovative solutions like the “4th bucket” strategy and what to do if you're unprepared. Finding purpose after retirement—Whether it's hobbies, social connections, or even continuing to work, we'll look at how to stay fulfilled and avoid the dreaded mid-retirement slump. And of course, we'll dig into a cautionary tale of retirees falling for high-risk investments, showing why financial literacy is more important than ever. Retirement is about more than leaving work—it's about reimagining your life. Let's dive into these stories and uncover what it takes to retire without regrets. https://youtu.be/wvhLx5FNQFE The Headlines We Discuss in This Episode Harvard prof who spent 10 years studying retirees: How to ensure a ‘smooth transition into a satisfying retirement life' Important to ask yourself  Who will I be without my work? Americans tend to identify closely with their work What to do if you can't fully answer the question Ask yourself, Would I be more likely to say that my work is what I do or my work is who I am?” List core self-identities as they are currently and how you want them to be “identity bridging” This retiree accepted an investment broker's invite for dinner at Ruth's Chris — the decision cost him $158K A story as old as time? While investors like Wilson earned a whopping 9% monthly return, brokers were earning up to 8% in commissions from GWG. Planning Your Retirement: What Not To Do Underestimating health care costs - LTC Overspending Taking Social Security benefits too early Miscalculating your RMD Worried About Long-Term-Care Expenses? Let's Do Something About It. Worrying about a potential LTC need keeps retirees from maximizing spending or making gifts to loved ones or charities 59% say they are concerned about running out of money to pay for LTC - AARP #2 on the list of retirement worries according to the Society of Actuaries Only $7Mil out of 75 mil over age 60 are covered by LTC Insurance 4th bucket as a strategy to solve LTC How much to put in - Genworth LTC study, age of needing care average (81) What types of investments to use: based on the age of likely use as a starting point Where to hold the funds (IRA, ROTH, after-tax) Back-up plan Reverse mortgage Retire Without Regrets Huge life transition Irene age 64 technical writer shifted easily and wished she'd left earlier Lawrence struggled after a few months and ended up in rehab Retirement is a transition that involves several key phases: making the decision to stop working; detaching from work; experimenting with new relationships, activities, and social groups; and establishing a new, reasonably stable life structure Research found satisfied retirees demonstrate four key behaviors through the phases of the four A's Alignment between self and life structure your central identities, needs, values, preferences, motivations, personality dispositions, and even health

This week, let's all be thankful for the people we have in our lives. We'll get back to preparing to help them help us better when we need help living  - after enjoying those we love most today! Happy Thanksgiving

This week, I interviewed Lynda Krueger with Owl Be There Tampa.  Owl Be There isn't a quick referral by zip code resource.  Or a DIY search through Google. Lynda and her associate improve the lives of seniors with wise guidance around senior living and care. Lynda shares the details of what it takes and how she works to find the right place based on client needs, lifestyles, spiritual beliefs, proximity to family and more. Reach Lynda in the Tampa Bay area at Or search nationwide at and click on locations It's always easier (less complicated) when you have a LTC insurance to help pay for needs at this time of life.  Then the fa,ily can focus on what's best rather than what they can afford.  Schedule to ask me for help planning.  

Today, I want to discuss the financial risk we're facing when planning for LTC needs in 20 or 30 years or more. Home care costs increased on average 10% nationwide from 2022-2023. Assisted Living costs increased 5% on average over that same time. It's not going to get cheaper to get the care we need to get through each day. This information comes from Falls are a big reason people start to need help and support per HelpGuide.org   Caregiving is expensive, financially, physically, emotionally.  We can't be expected to do this alone, without help. If we reach age 65, greater than 50% of us are going to need some form of extended care services. Thankfully, most of us won't be in a nursing home.   But we need a plan to be able to stay home and receive care.  We need to plan to pay well over $20,000/month for care needs in 30 years. Listen to this week's episode of costs of care and schedule with me to design your plan at  

Yes, a colleague of mine is selling all of her uncle's belongings because he was "put into aged care". Those who plan know where they want to be when a long term care event enters the picture.  And they have the income, savings and LTC insurance to support their plan.  Most stay home with help for most to the need and move to assisted living if care needs increase.  Most don't ever live in a nursing home, and they surely don't get "put" somewhere. People without a plan put their whole family in a crisis mode adter a severe stroke or when Alzheimer's or other dementia shows up. The three questions we need to ask are: 1) Where do I want to be when needing help to et through each day? 2)  Who do I want to have there with me? 3)  How will I pay for this? Needing LTC services is expensive.  Home care easily costs near $40/hour today, and assisted living $4-8000/month.  Costs of care are increasing by about 5% annually. Schedule some time with me to protect your family when life doesn;t go as planned  

On Sunday, Suze Orman discussed the finally finalized rules for inherited IRA's. Listen here:   Today, I'm going to share a case study to share what one of our clients did with some of the IRA funds she inherited from her mom. Some of you know that "non-eligible" beneficiaries of IRA funds are required to withdraw all tne money in the IRA within 10 years and pay taxes on those withdrawals.  If you don't know, listen to Suze's podcast episode from Sunday, September 3, 2024 with the above link. Nicole used $17,000 a year of the $45,000 she is required to withdraw annually over 10 years to create a paid-up long term care plan that will pay more than the entire inheritance she received ($450,000 IRA and $450,000 non-IRA funds). Listen and learn how we accomplished this.  Nicole's mom left her a nice inheritance with an unforseen tax burden.  We repositioned that tax burden to create tax-free LTC benefits for her or a tax-free death benefit for her kids. Schedule with me to learn how you can reposition yout tax-burden at      

Tom shared that there is dementia in his wife's family but not in his.  He wants a policy for her but doesn't think he'll need one. My mom's husband said the same thing several years ago, and now he has dementia, at age 68.  She's going to be upset that I am sharing this, but it's so important to consider how your decisions affect your family. You may never need long term care services, but what if you do? Who is going to have to step up and change their lives to help you and for how long? Who is going to decide where you're going to have to live? Who is going to have to sell all your stuff to qualify you for Medicaid? Who is going to sacrifice their future to keep you out of a Medicaid nursing home? All because you never thought you woudl need help someday... There are plans that pay your family back if care is never needed, so why not use some of your money to protect the rest while you're protecting your family from being forced to choose between multiple bad options to meet your needs? Schedule with me to start designing your plan at    

This week, we're talking about health qualifying for LTC benefits. What to do... What not to do... LTC planning is all about timing.  If you apply at the wrong time or with the wrong company, you could be declined for something that would have been approved had we waited for the right time or company.  We don't want to make this mistake. It takes a lot longer to overturn a decline than it does to wait until the best time to apply for a more likely approval. LTC underwriters really are nice people.  Their job is to find reasons someone would be too much risk to the company's other clients.  My goal is to know where and when you are most likely to be approved. If you have a health concern and wonder if it is an acceptable risk to getting LTC coverage, ask me for help.  The insurance companies are not a part of our conversation until we invite them in with an application. Schedule at  

Too often, people contact me when it's too late to access all their LTC planning options. Some people believe they are planning ahead at age 80. Some people wait to inquire until after a diagnosis either limits their options or makes them altogether uninsurable. The earlier we plan, the more choices we have, AND the more benefits we can obtain for the least amout of premium. Business owners can deduct LTC premiums, so it's helpful to pay for the plans while you still own the business, to get additional tax write offs. C corporations can deduct 100% of LTC premiums without a cap. LLCs and S Corps have a maximum they can deduct.  The 2024 caps are below.  These are per person Age 40 or less  $470 Age 41-50  $880 Age 51-60  $1760 Age 61-70  $4710 Age 71+    $5880 Schedule with me to learn more  

This week, my husband, Paul, asks me multiple questions that we get quite often.  I'm guessing you've asked at least one of these questions if you've been considering LTC insurance to protect your family from an extended care need. Please email me additional questions you may have, and I'll be glad to answer you.  I may even use your question for a future episode. In fact, I challenge you to ask me a question I've never heard before. Schedule time to strart designing your plan at  

There are many professionals from whom you can purchase LTC insurance, but an LTC Planning Specialist is going to have the most knowledge and training about all the options that can be available based on unique needs of each person or family. This week I'm sharing what to watch out for when you work with different kinds of professionals.  I'm not saying that every representative who does not specialize in LTC will not do a good job. I'm sharing things to watch out for because this is one of the most important decisions you'll make regarding your family's future. You need to be sure you are protecting those you love and your life savings using the most appropriate method to meet your needs. LTC Planning Specialists are not afraid to ask the hard questions that need to be asked to do the job right. LTC Planning Specialists will wait for the best opportunities for you to be approved. Schedule with me to learn how you can protect your family, savings and choices at a time when you may be the most vulnerable.   email me at to ask a question

Several people are asking if they can use their life insurance policies for long term care needs. Some newer life insurance plans include a chronic illness rider that let's you use the dealth benefit while still alive and needing help living through your day.  Those plans don't consider that needing care wil cost much more in the future, however. Older life insurance policies generally don't allow early use for LTC needs. You can exchange those plans for a plan that wil pay for LTC.  Some of the LTC plans will also pay a death benefit if care is not needed. Listen and learn what Rob & Judy are considering with their old life insurance policies by using the IRS 1035 exchange rule to reposition their plan feom a death benefit only to a death and LTC benefit. If you own life insurance with cash value built up, you can use that cash value to create an LTC plan wil little or no premiums. Schedule with me to learn how  

Teresa wants to know what happens to any LTC benefit money she doesn't use. There are plans that pay your family back if no care or little care is needed, but that's not why we buy insurance. Insurance by definition is a guarantee against the risk of loss or harm.  We buy insurance in caswe we need it. Any help our family gets will more than likely be accepted with gratitude.  Without outside help, caring for someone is a full-time job in itself.  Then we need to take into account all the other stuff that needs to be managed. The most common thing I see is that people don't open their claim early enough.  As people age, they try so hard to prove they don't need help.  They don't see that if they use their benefits, they are giving so much back to their family. Whether you own LTC insurance or not, you need to have a plan.  And you need to share your plan with your family so they know what you would like to have happen when extended care is needed. Email me for a planning guide you can use to start the conversation - Schedule an introductory meeting with me at  

Alicia's insurance agent told her she was too short for her weight and no LTC insurance can be offered to her. Turns out that agent only represented one company.  Other companies will consider her build (height/weight).   Many people are either very small or very big.  There are alternative solutions to planning for future care needs that can help those outside of the weight limits of most companies.   Some companies don't ask about build or health at all, while some have more lenient health requirements than others. If you've been told you can't qualify for LTC insurance, it is wise to ask for a second opinion. Reach out to me to ask what else can be offered to help you protect your family, assets and choices https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/30min

This week, you just need to listen and learn from my mistakes.  Some I made as a kid, and the most recent was over the last few years.  I didn't want to seem intrusive when that is exactly how I should have been.   Now, I am just sad.  Sad that I didn't do what I've been encouraging you to do.  I tried, but I didn't try hard enough.  If you need caregiver support, go to The Alzheimer's Association has support info at Schedule time with me to plan today so you can be prepared for the storms of tomorrow at   Email me a question at  

We think we can beat the insurance company by waiting as long as we can to purchase LTC insurance.   In truth we're just beating ourselves up. Every year that we wait is one more year of no increase in benefits.  By waiting just 5 years, we could eliminate over $100,000 in future benefits.   I'm sharing two stories today.  One client decided not to wait, and she'll have more than $100,000 in added benefits by not waiting. The other has waited over 13 years and still wants to wait.  During that 13 years, he has lost over $600,000 in future LTC benefits when he is 84.  He'll either not have as much LTC benefits, or he'll need to start with a higher anount of coverage to attain the same results. If protecting your family from the physical, emotional and financial consequenses of an extended care need is important to you today, it's foolish to wait. Schedule with me today to protect your family  

This week, I'm sharing updates on the four clients with LTC claims that we shared on February 22nd. I have been walking with these families as they prepare for and begin extensive caregiving needs for their moms and wives. I can't imagine how hard it would be to navigate the claims process without guidance from an LTC Specialist. Some phrases I've heard along this journey are: "Everything changes every day.  The stuff I needed to help with yesterday is completely different than what she needs today." "She doesn't remember ANYTHING I tell her." "I'm so glad you're here to help me get this in place.  I don't know how I could do it alone." Opening an LTC claim is not that complicaed, if you know what to expect.  I feel like I'm a relevant part of each family's team as they work to help their loved one get through each day.  I'm honored to be involved, and I'm thankful that God has placed me in this role to help with such extreme needs. If you don't have a plan for your last few years, contact me.  We'll work together to make sure you have a plan, and that you and your family understnad how that plan works.  

This week, I enjoyed a great interview with Dr. Jay Zigmont with Childfree Wealth. Their website is I learned that 25% of U.S. adults don't have kids.  That's a huge part of our population that is underserved in the retirement planning community.  Many planners consider that with our without kids, your plans should be similar,  and that's simply not accurate. When we dont have kids, we know we need to have a plan for long term care needs.  Many parents presume their kids will take care of them, or they'll at least make sure they're taken care of.  Childfree folks know that this is not an option.   If married and childfree, it's important to make sure that an extended care need like dementia or a stroke for one won't bankrupt the other. If married or not, we all have an idea of what we really care about in regards to long term care needs.  We need to dig in and ask how are we going to make sure that this happens?   That I live in the place I want to live if I can't live alone That I get those little things that make me happy (for me it's cheesecake - I don't eat it now, but if I make it to 90, I want that to be my breakfast every day). That I have enough money to take care of myself gracefully - and don't end up with less than than Zero and on Medicaid Jay's childfree clients know that they need a plan, and they create that plan - usually in their 40s, when it's most affordable and can be paid up long before retirement. Jay takes well known planning concepts and turns them into childfree planning strategies. Feel free to reach out to him at Contact me if you are childfree or not.  We can design your LTC plan together -    

We need to start planning now, 30 years before we think we'll need help living. It'a hard to believe that care could ever cost that much, but in 2001, when I started working in the LTC industry, nursing homes were $1000/month.  People I spoke with thought that was so unfair. Use Genworth's Cost of Care report to view projected future costs here  Be sure to input 5% inflation growth to budget accurately. Most of us would be happy if care for dementia or mobility concerns was only $1000/month. In 1990, home care costs were about $11/day. Getting old and needing help is not ever going to get less expensive, so we need a plan. This week, I share the plan Maureen and I designed to create $250K annual LTC benefits in 30 years, when she is 80.  She has enough income and assets to cover higher costs withoujt hurting herself or her family financially. Listen and learn about the plan she chose to protect her family and, even more importantly, her CHOICES.   Schedule with me to design your plan at  

If we want to make sure we can stay home when long term care is needed, we need a plan.  We need to afford the care we want. If costs of care continue to increase every year like they have been, this is not something most of us will self-fund without bankrupting ourselves or destroying family relationships. The first thing we need to do is admit that we'll probably need help living at some point. Bill Comfort with Certification for Long Term Care says, "If we don't die, wil live long lives.  If we live long lives, we get old.  And when we get old, we need help living." We need to prepare for this and presume we will be the one who lives a long life. How are we going to get the care we need?  Who will provide it?  How will we pay for it?    Will we pay in dollars or with the physical and mental exhaustion of our family? Let me help you prepare to live a long life successfully.  Schedule with me at

In other words, why shoud I trust the insurance company? All insurance companies, and especially LTC companies are heavily regulated and watched closely by all 50 states.   States monitor complaints to ensure compliance. Regulators work with the consumer and company to assist with payments. Often, regulators explain to consumers why a claim isn't being paid and advise the consumer what they need to do to complete the claim requirements. Listen and learn how may ways the Elimination Period is defined by different companies.  It's no wonder we get confused and frustrated. All the more reason to work with a LTC Specialist like me who understands these key differences and can explain them clearly so you know what you are considering. When you understand what you own, there won't be surprises later. Let me help you design your plan.  Schedule here https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/30min

My guest is a nationally Known Expert on Long-Term Care Planning. As one of the nation's leading specialists in Long-Term Care Insurance products and long-term health care planning, Matt McCann is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. He represents the major insurance companies that offer long-term care planning products.With over 20 years of experience helping thousands of clients nationwide, he has witnessed firsthand how Long-Term Care Insurance gets used at the time of claim. Matt recognizes the value of affordable LTC Insurance and its positive impact on American families today. https://mccannltc.net/http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

We live in an "I want it now" culture except when it comes to planning for extended care needs.   Why do we feel the need to wait as long as we can to consider and design our LTC plans? Once someone learns that there is a need for LTC insurance in some form, it takes 5-7 years on average for that person to contact someone who can help them purchase coverage. I get that we don't want to plan for when something bad happens like we get dementia, have a stroke or need help getting through each day.  But these things happen whether we are prepared for them or not. We will receive care from someone no matter what happens.  If we have a plan, we retain control of our choices when we do need help. If we continue knowingly or unknowingly using the default plan of "spend all my money til I'm broke and then rely on the state Medicaid system", then we no longer can choose where we live.  The state puts in the next available nursing home bed.  This may or may not be a nice, clean, friendly place. Why do we leavethis to chance? Schedule time with me to prepare today tolive how and where you choose tomorrow  

This week, Diana wants to know what she needs to do to be sure she can live out the rest of her life in her owm home. I know we're all asking this question, because we want to stay home no matter what as well. That really depends on how much support and assistance we can rely on from our family.  Do they live nearby?  If they say they will help us, are they actually able to do so?   If we own LTC insurance, how many hours of care will the benefits cover?  If it's not enough for 24/7 care, how will the family be able to support us around the insurance paid hours?  These conversations have to happen now, before a care need shows up, so everyone knows their role. If you'd like to add LTC insurance in some form to your plan, so you can help your family help you better, schedule with me  to start a conversation  

Employers are seeing their employees reducing hours or leaving work to care for parents, spouses and other family members. They're searching for strategies to help keep employees at work.. Group LTC plans are again becoming popular, and they look different than they did in yesteryear. Listen and learn what is available as an LTC worksite solution. If you own a business or you are an employee of a business and want your employer to consider group LTC, contact me for information  Schedule 30 minutes with me to inquire  

In last week's episode, Diane shared a boatlod of questions we need ot be asking when planning for extended care needs (LTC needs). This week we cover the questions that can't be answered until that need invades our family. Although, we may not know what, when, where, or how long , we still need to plan early so we can be prepared for whatever happens. How can we do this?  Listen, learn, and schedule a meeting to discuss planning alternatives.   My calendar: Email me to receive a planning guide  

Long term care planning is about more than the insurance or funding for care.  This week, Diane shares important questions we and our families need to be asking today. Regardless of where you will live, who do you want helping you?  Do they know this?  Are they able to do what you need? What do you want to have happen when extended care is needed?  Where do you want to live?  It's much easier to have these discussions today, while you're not in the middle of a crisis. Have the conversations now so your family and loved ones will have a blueprint of what you have and what you want.  They'll then be able to make better decisions for you and with you regarding your care. Funding your plan is still very important, so schedule time with me to research ways to do so at   Much of the information I'm sharing is from LTC Planning Guides designed to help create these family conversations.  I'll gladly send you a guide when you email me a request at

This week, Mark asked if he can expect his traditional LTC premium to double every 12 years. Many older traditional LTC policies were priced inaccurately and are now receiving increases to match today's expected risk.  Listen and learn what has changed since these policies were offered.  Learn how the regulators and the insurers are working to keep rates more stable. Learn what you can do to secure a plan that is guaranteed to never have a rate increase as long as you live. Learn why it's wiser to start planning at younger ages, even in our 30s. When you're ready to start working on your plan to protect your family, savings, and choices, schedule a phone or zoom meeting with me to discuss what options are available for you. I work in all 50 states.   

It's February and spring training season in Florida.  Listen to Diane compare different types of planning strategies to the A, AA, AAA minor leagues and to Major league Baseball. Different levels of plans can be designed to meet each family's unique needs and budget. Just like in baseball, we need to Prepare today to be ready for a strong season, carry the playoffs and make it to the World Series of long term care. I can't say that needing extended care is like winning the World Series.  I can say that when we plan early, and do the work it takes to Prepare for Tomorrow, our whole family will be celebrating with us rather than frantically seeking answers with 2 outs and 2 strikes in the bottom of the 9th inning. Enjoy this baseball season, and schedule time with me to Prepare for your Tomorrow today! https://calendly.com/diane-p4t/60min

I have four clients opening LTC claims this week.  Three are for memory care, and one is for hospice care for teminal cancer.   All are women in their early 70s.  I wish no one ever needed to use the LTC plans we've developed, but I am so glad that I have answers and can assist when their family memebers ask for help and guidance.  All of these women were in great health when they bought their plans, most over 10 years ago and one in 2020. One claim was declined, and I'll share why in this episode.  I brought in Amada Senior Care to help get thr decline overturned.  Amada is a home care agency, and they are very detail oriented when helping people with claims, even if the claim is for care communities away from home. If you need help with LTC claim, reach out the them at If you need home care services, Amada's caregivers are top notch!!! When you're ready to design your LTC plan, schedule with me at and we'll get to work to protect you, your family, your savings, and your choices when care is needed.

Most of us want to stay home when long term care services are needed.  Often, we can if we have a strong family support system. Sometimes, it's safer to move to assisted living for more hands-on assistance. Pathfinders Downsizing Solutions can help you resize your living arrangements when you move into a smaller space.   Reimbursement LTC plans can't pay for a home care person to stay with us in a facility setting because the care licenses are different for each type of care. Cash indemnity plans pay cash, and you decide how and where you want to spend it.  You can pay for your friend or home cre worker to sit with you at your assisted living home. Listen to how Margie's care needs could have been better met had she owned a cash idemnity plan. Schedule with me to begin designing your plan to protect your family, assets and choices when you need help living and getting through each day  

This episode is all about words. Words that your doctors enter into you medical charts... Words that you use when attempting to open a long term care claim... Words your doctors use on your LTC Plan of Care when opening LTC caims... Words you share with your doctor that get added to your medical records... We need to be aware of how helpful or how damaging words can be in each of these situations. Most important is that the AMA has approved a simple blood test to diagnose Alzheimer's with 97% accuracy.  These words in your medical charts will eliminate almost evey kind of LTC plan offered. If you're considering owning LTC insurance, you need to get it in place before doing any genetic testing that could prevent you from owning this valuable protection, especially if you have that Alzheimer's gene. Let's design your LTC plan and put it into effect so you won't need to wonder how words can effect your future.