301% rate increase?  What the...?

301% rate increase? What the...?

Author: Diane Stoddart, Certified Long Term Care Consultant, CLTC December 4, 2025 Duration: 17:33
Diane received an email this week from a long time listener who received a notice of a 301% rate increase request from his LTC insurance company. This episode discusses the process of requesting and seeking approval for rate increases. This process is heavily regulated from multiple angles. It's definitely not a random insurance company tactic to create more profit or to force policy holders to cancel their policies. I know it seems like it sometimes. Rate increases cause a lot of headache and extra work and payroll expense to the insurance companies as well. They don't want to have to increase rates. I was going to post the link to the court decision here, but the header on the document says I can't. If you want to find it yourself, look up "New Jersey court prevents LTC rate increase". You'll find it. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) consists of Commissioners from all 50 states. They have a Rate Stability Rule you can read about here If you really like reading about this stuff, the American Association of Actuaries Compliance Guide can be found here Let's find time to have a converstion and determne if and wht kind of and amount of benefits can help your family when that need shows up. Schedule here

Diane Stoddart brings a professional yet deeply personal perspective to the complex world of long-term care planning in Preparing For Tomorrow podcast. As a Certified Long Term Care Consultant, she understands that preparing for future care needs involves more than just finances-it's about safeguarding your family's well-being and peace of mind. Each conversation cuts through the industry jargon to clarify the real options available, from insurance products to legal strategies, all aimed at protecting your life savings from being depleted by unexpected care costs. You'll hear Diane break down essential concepts and terms, making a daunting subject feel manageable and urgent. Alongside expert guests, she explores the emotional and physical dimensions of caregiving, offering a holistic view that acknowledges the full weight of these decisions. This isn't about fear; it's about empowerment through knowledge. Tuning into this podcast provides a straightforward guide to creating a practical plan, ensuring you can face tomorrow with confidence rather than anxiety, knowing your loved ones and your legacy are secure.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Preparing For Tomorrow podcast
Podcast Episodes
How can the insurance company pay if no one is billing them? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:16
LTC insurance claims are hard to get approved because so many claims are not actually long term care. When a claim is declined, the family becomes disgruntled and angry at the insurance company. Usually the problem is wh…
be One of the few [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:04
This week, we discuss the costs of dementia care vs. other long term care needs. Too many believe Medicare pays for care after age 65. Medicare may pay for up to 100 days if skilled care is also needed to help recovery f…
nearly 800,000 care workers needed by 2034 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:03
As baby boomers reach age 80 this year, with the immigrant population in the US diminishing, and seeing the almost 80% turnover of employees in home care, assisted living and nursing home care, we are getting ever closer…
We can't keep doing this to the women in our lives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:05
In the U.S., almost 13 million unpaid/family caregivers are caring for someone with dementia right now. Many are doihng this without help or support from other family members. Most family caregivers are women who live wi…
What is a biomarker?  Why should I care? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:06
The Alzheimer's Association released a Special Report that updates dementia and dementia care information. I have on;y read about 1/3 of the info so far, so I expect I'll have a lot more to share over the nexrt several w…
It's either your plan or someone else's plan for you [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:45
We need to decide if we're going to make our own care decisions when we can no longer live alone or independantly. Or are we going to leave those decisions to a governement employee who must follow whatever the current g…
We don't know what it feels like to be old [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:23
Professionals in geriatrics and gerontology define "elderly" and "advanced age" as 65 and older and those with chronic needs. It's hard to believe I'm almost elderly?!? The fact that there are professional specialties an…
Saving $26,850 in premiums over 5 years?  LTC Specialists matter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:49
A client with whom I've maintained a relationship for over a decade was almost talked into buying a new LTC plan earlier this year. I'm glad she called me to ask for help! I researched her risk and offered a very similar…
I should have done this when I first thought of it [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:46
Don't let your 50 year old kids regret not having planned for future extended care needs when they first thought of it. A first question I ask when meeting with someone is "What made you decide to look into LTC planning…