Carrier Updates

NGL EssentialLTC is designed for not only individuals looking for long term care, but for employers as well.  If you have a business interested in long-term care, then NGL has the materials you need to succeed in providing the excellent benefits of EssentialLTC to prospective employer groups.

LTCi for Almost Any Business – Learn about EssentialLTC’s program for the worksite and how it competitively compares.

Worksite Process and Resources – The process and resources available from when you first have a prospect to when you deliver a policy.

Tax Summary – Use this flyer to see the tax advantages of LTCi for individuals and businesses.

Executive Carve Out LTCi Flyer – Access this flyer for information on Executive Carve Out LTCi.

Group Quote Request Form – Use this form to select plan design(s) and provide group information to receive a group quote.

These materials can also be found on the Agent Resource Center in the Sales & Marketing link under the Worksite tab.

For a product that can do more, choose Essential LTC for your next employer offering.

From the Desk of Michael Sladek, Vice President, Brokerage Sales, with Mutual of Omaha

In efforts to support the Washington State Cares Fund initiative, Mutual of Omaha implemented underwriting and commission changes for applications received from the state of Washington, including:

• A 100% chargeback for policies issued May 19, 2021 – November 1, 2021 and lapsing within the first policy year.
• Declining applications for clients not seen by a physician in the last 24 months.

However, due to continually increasing application volumes from the state, Mutual of Omaha must make additional modifications. Effective immediately, Mutual of Omaha is instituting the following adjustments to the MutualCare® Solutions product offerings for the state of Washington:

• Increasing minimum issue age to 40
• Increasing minimum monthly benefit to $3,000
• Increasing minimum inflation option to 3%, lifetime duration

To process applications not meeting the minimum requirements listed, paper and e-applications must be received at Mutual of Omaha on or before June 11, 2021. No exceptions will be made.

By taking steps to ensure Washington residents purchase a long-term care policy for the security and benefits it provides rather than a means for exemption from the payroll tax, Mutual of Omaha is upholding their responsibility as a leading LTCi provider.

How You Can Help

• Help clients understand the value of a long-term care policy designed to offer peace of mind for themselves and their family by explaining key product benefits.
• Speed up processing time by emailing completed applications directly to epsupport@LTCG.com, or faxing copies to (888) 539-4672.

Thank you for your continued business, partnership and commitment to Mutual of Omaha.

For more information about the WA Cares Fund, view the consumer website at: http://www.wacaresfund.wa.gov/private-insurance/

New and Updated Consumer Materials

We are excited to announce that we have new and updated materials for use with consumers. These materials are designed to make explaining the benefits of National Guardian Life Insurance Company’s (NGL) EssentialLTC to your clients easier.

Beginning Friday, May 28, these materials will be available under the consumer section of the Sales and Marketing tab on the Agent Resource Center (ARC) or by clicking the links in the descriptions below to download. 

These materials are not approved for use in AZ, CA, CT, DE, DC, FL, HI, IN, NJ, ND, SD. You will be notified when these materials become available for these states.

Consumer Brochure

This brochure can help you comprehensively explain the benefits of this crucial insurance to your clients. It takes consumers through why long term care is important, payment options, product features and optional benefit features. Click here to download a PDF copy.

​​​​​​Consumer Presentation

We’ve taken our Consumer Brochure and made it into a presentation that you can show your clients! It gives a high-level breakdown of why LTC insurance is so important. Click here for a PDF version.

Consumer Flyer

Perfect for a handout or a leave behind, the Consumer Flyer is a quick way to introduce the concept of LTC and NGL as a company. Click here to download a PDF of the flyer.

Employer Brochure

Like the Consumer Flyer, the Employer Brochure is a great introduction to how NGL EssentialLTC can benefit employers. Click here to download a PDF of the brochure.

As part of the recent product enhancements that took place on April 1, 2021 in 38 states, NGL released an updated Underwriting Guide dated 03.21. The new guide reflects the new Premier rate class structure, has added items based on your feedback and has more conditions listed in greater detail.

The guidelines in the updated guide are applicable to applications in all states, regardless of which version of EssentialLTC they use. Some notable updates include:

Guidelines for a family history of dementia

More details for elevated blood pressure

More details for diabetes

More details for osteopenia and osteoporosis

More details for physical therapy

A section for self-reported memory issues

And many more additions based on your feedback!

The original version of the Underwriting Guide dated 04.20, with the three-tier rate class structure (Preferred Plus/Preferred/Standard,) is still usable in AZ, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, HI, IN, ND, NJ and SD. If you have a case where the original guide does not have enough detail for a certain condition, please refer to the “Premier” version for additional information.

Both versions of the guide are available at the Agent Resource Center in the “Reference Guides” section of the Sales & Marketing tab on the main navigation bar.

We are excited to announce AM Best has upgraded NGL’s Financial Strength Rating to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent)! This rating reflects the excellent ability of National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations and further attests to its financial strength.

“Last year NGL finished with capital and surplus reaching historic records. Our strong financial position is the result of generations of employees consistently doing what is right and always putting our policyholders first. This rating both confirms our strength and stability, and gives us confidence to enter new markets so that we can expand our societal impact,” said Knut Olson, NGL President & CEO.

Click here to read the full news release.

Care Solutions Sales & Support Teams

Find your key sales contacts using our current territory map.

Level up with CSU in 2021

Join OneAmerica for Virtual Care Solutions University

Register for Virtual Care Solutions University on March 30, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. ET.  Get an in-depth exploration into the benefits and features of the OneAmerica Care Solutions product suite and how it is different.  Whether you are looking for industry experience, protection that’s beyond the average, using qualified dollars to fund a policy or an industry-leading care benefits concierge experience, you can learn more about it all here!

Tools and Resources

Lead through philanthropy and earn CFP and CE credit

Join the American College of Financial Services for a webinar roundtable on March 31!  Hosted by American College President and CEO George Nichols III and OneAmerica Chairman, President and CEO Scott Davison, along with other thought leaders, the discussion will focus on why economic mobility in underserved communities is good for society and business.  Get inspired to lead through philanthropy and earn CFP and American College CE credit!

LTC Tax Guide

The 2021 Long-Term Care Tax Guide is now available, including updated information on the 2021 age-related table eligible premium amounts; a thorough discussion of the benefits of Asset Care when provided as an executive bonus; the benefits of IRC section 1035 exchanges into Care Solutions portfolio products; and much more!

Compliance Notices

Attention Arkansas, Michigan and Rhode Island: Best interest is here!

Arkansas, Michigan, and Rhode Island have updated the requirements around best interest and suitability in annuity transactions. A new training will be required to be able to submit applications for any annuity products, including annuities funding whole life.  The changes for Arkansas and Michigan went into effect Dec. 29, 2020, and for Rhode Island, the changes will take effect until April 1, 2021.  Information will be forthcoming on the new training requirements and the new forms to use in these states. Original forms can be submitted until updated ones are made available.  Note: States previously approved include Arizona and Iowa.

New Best Interest Annuity Suitability Policies and Procedures Producers’ Guide for Arkansas, Michigan and Rhode Island

A new version of the Producers’ Guide has been created to align with the 2020 Best Interest revisions of the NAIC Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation.  These changes go in effect Dec. 29, for Arkansas and Michigan and April 1, for Rhode Island.  The prior version of the Producers’ Guide will remain in effect for those states that have not yet adopted the revised Best Interest requirements.  Review the new Best Interest Annuity Suitability Policies and Procedures Producers’ Guide here .  All other states will continue using the original producers’ guide.  Note: States previously approved include Arizona and Iowa.

Operations Updates

Grace period in place to assist policyholders receiving late billing statements

OneAmerica has become aware that due to pandemic and weather mailing delays, some policyholders are receiving their premium notices very close to the payment due date.  If you receive calls from concerned policyholders, please keep the following in mind:

• Although we contractually grant 30 days grace to our clients, we actually provide up to 60 days of grace.  So, there is ample time for clients to get their payment to OneAmerica.  Policies are fully in force and active during a grace period.
• OneAmerica neither charges late fees nor assess any kind of penalties for late payments.
• OneAmerica provides no payment history reporting of any kind to credit agencies on client payment activities.

OneAmerica continues to monitor the USPS situation and are working on process improvements to mitigate some of these challenges.  Thank you for your support as we all work through this situation.

New for California: Updated asset-based LTC loan/withdrawal process

In an effort to help clients better understand the impact of taking a loan or withdrawal from their asset-based LTC policy, California will now require policy owners to sign a letter outlining this impact before OneAmerica can process a loan or withdrawal.  This will affect California Asset-Care, Annuity Care, Annuity Care II and Indexed Annuity Care policies and contracts issued on or after Jan. 1, 2021.  Learn more about this new regulation and review our FAQs.

Access March interest rates

Review new business interest rates for OneAmerica company products that took effect on March 15, as well as changes to the Guaranteed Interest Rate for new issues of Annuity Care that took effect on March 15 in certain states.

Beyond Care Solutions

Beyond Care Solutions products, OneAmerica helps Americans secure their financial future through their Retirement Services and Employee Benefits products and services.  Read more below and reach out to your OneAmerica regional sales director to learn more. 

ComboPlan: Revolutionizing the tax-exempt market

Retirement plan offerings for tax-exempt organizations can be complicated.  But OneAmerica Retirement Services’ cutting-edge new ComboPlan solution offers simplicity, flexibility and sophisticated plan administration.  As organizations deal with the impacts of COVID-19, the RS team continues to look for ways to move the needle on retirement planning and improve employee decision-making abilities.  Read more about ComboPlan and OneAmerica’s innovative approach in the tax-exempt market in this recent 401(k) Specialist feature with Retirement Services President Sandy McCarthy.

Learn and Earn

Join us in Madrid for the 2020 Chairman’s Trip

As one of the world’s great capital cities, Madrid is the perfect place to celebrate outstanding achievement for the 2022 Chairman’s Trip.  Qualifiers will join OneAmerica from April 5 – 10 and enjoy a luxurious stay at the historic Westin Palace, Madrid.  Find out how to qualify.

Get away to Aruba for the 2022 Independent Leaders’ Conference

There’s nothing like a little sun, surf and celebration to recognize your success.  That’s why OneAmerica is excited to invite you to Aruba, their destination for the 2022 Independent Leaders’ Conference.  Qualifiers will join OneAmerica for a relaxing getaway from June 7 – 11 and enjoy a luxurious beachfront stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Aruba.  See the qualification rules here.

Webinar

Dig into Care Solutions with free webinars

Learn the basics of OneAmerica Care Solutions products with suite and concept training webinars every other Friday.  Want to go deeper?  Join a Care Solutions Live Deep Dive webinar for in-depth modules on key asset-based LTC topics.