Expertise and Patience -- Both are required by an insurance agent to help consumers sift through the maze of terminology and options in the world of insurance. Thank goodness I found Melissa Barnickel!!! Her no-pressure approach helped me immensely in navigating through that maze to find the LTC policy that best suited my needs. That was in 2007 and her support continues to this day with my ever present questions…some of which were often repetitive, I’m sure. Thanks, Melissa!!!
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The carriers have re-priced their products, and offer a variety of options.
Many of our clients 60 years and under select 3% compound because this will be adequate to keep up with inflation of home care and assisted living based on recent years. Their other resources can supplement nursing home costs. Also, 3% is the "sweet-spot in pricing.
One partner is uninsurable for 2 years because of new finding that doctor's don't know IF it will be an issue
The other partner is healthy
Finances - Cash and home equity line total 100K
Preferences - desires LTC coverage, however linked-benefit is the only option for one partner, the other partner could use traditional or linked-benefit. Read more for the solution.
Many thanks for your reply to our email of January 16, in which we asked for your views on our current long term care policy we bought in 2003. We appreciate the time you spent looking at what you have in your records about my wife's policy and the time you spent talking to her on the phone January 10th. It helps us to have a current perspective and makes us feel better about the decision we have to make. We had both been wondering whether we might be over-insured and whether it might be a mistake to accept the price increases without making some adjustments to our coverage. With the information you have given us, we feel that the increases may not be out of line with the realities of the current market and that we would probably be wise to keep what we have, at least for the time being. Your suggestion to my wife in the phone call, to figure the ratio of what we have paid to the value of the benefits we have accrued, was especially helpful to us in arriving at this view.
We bought our policies 11 years ago and are very pleased that your referral source has been willing, after so long a time, to support us in this reassessment of our coverage. We particularly appreciate your timely and helpful advice and would be glad to convey our thanks to others, if that would be useful in anyway. Mr. W. M.
Melissa Barnickel was recommended to us when we were looking for long term care insurance. She was extremely helpful and explained everything so we could understand and make an informed decision. When we retired it was extremely confusing and upsetting trying to make sense of what to choose for Medicare Part B, prescription and Medicare Supplement Plan F. Melissa met with us and counseled us on the different plans available. Depending on what your health situation is and what prescriptions you take makes a difference on the plan you choose. This year she worked with us again on our prescription renewal. We are grateful for her counsel and feel confident our choices were the best for our situation. Thank you Melissa.
Commissioner Goldsmith clarified MD Law today. Insureds should evaluate their options carefully. Premium is not the only factor. The deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums and covered services should be considered with what services you expect to use in 2014.
Many thanks or all your (Melissa Barnickel) help! You went out of your way to guide me through the long-term care maze - explaining things, answering questions, sending and evaluating materials for me! Had you not been so thorough and patient, I probably would not have bought insurance. I would highly recommend you! Thank you again for all of your time and friendliness. Mrs. C. H.
Having very recently watched both of my grandmothers and my father-in-law's health decline to where they all required caregiving at the end of their lives, my husband and I both realized it was time to prepare, as best we could, for our own future health care needs. Melissa Barnickel was tireless, and always helpful and cheerful, in answering our seemingly never ending questions to select a LTC program for us. We are very grateful for her vast knowledge of the business and for her incredible insights. We now feel very well prepared to face that last chapter in lives. Mrs. P. S.
