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February 19, 2006 at 02:00 PM
Empire State officials have come up with a long list of suggestions about ways to encourage affluent and middle-income consumers to prepare for long term care needs.
A new New York State Insurance Department LTC insurance options report includes a number of commonly proposed solutions, such as improving consumer education programs and encouraging the federal government to offer new tax breaks for consumers who buy LTC insurance.
But the authors of the report, which was prepared in response to a requirement in a 2004 state LTC financing statute, also include a number of other recommendations that could lead to dramatic changes in LTC insurance products and programs.
“Consider providing a minimum amount of long term care coverage to all New Yorkers,” the officials write.
The state could look into the possibility of working with insurers to provide a minimal amount of LTC coverage for all adult state residents through an actuarially sound financing program, the officials write.
They also recommend that officials work with insurers to develop an LTC financing program for residents who already have medical problems and have good reason to believe they will need nursing home care, home care or other long term care.
But the officials acknowledge the importance of protecting insurers against the damage that might be caused by ignoring underwriting reality.
