Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Alphabetical List of Long-Term Care Insurance Carriers

Accurate as of January 2009. Most plans use as a trigger the inability to meet 2 of the 6 ADL's (activities of daily living which are bathing, continence, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring), and many also accept Cognitive Impairment. No endorsement is implied or given by listing these insurance carriers. You must determine which plan is best for you.

Advanced Resources Marketing --
www.armltc.com 617-783-2622. Group and individual. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-85. Minimum group size 10. Trigger: TQ. Portable. Elimination periods zero to 100 days.

Aim Marketing & Ins. Services --
www.AimMarketing.com 600-245-2467. Available in all states. Issue ages 25-80. Minimum group size three. Portable. Elimination periods – all available.

AJF Consultants --
www.ajfconsultants.com 866-901-5323. Available in all states. Issue ages: any. Minimum group size: any. Portable. Elimination periods: none.

Allianz Life --
www.allianzlife.com 800-950-7372. Available in all states EXCEPT CA HI MA NY. Issue ages 18-84. Minimum group size 10. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs. Portable. Elimination periods – 7, 30, 60, 90, 180, 365.

American Financial --
www.afmus.com 800-880-3072. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-84. Minimum group size five. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or cognitive. Portable. Elimination periods – zero to 365.

American Independent --
www.aimforltc.com 800-672-7202. Available in AK AZ AR CA CO HI ID KS LA ME MI MO MT NE NV NM NY OK OR TX UT VT WA WY. Issue ages 18-99. Minimum group size five. Portable. Elimination periods – many options. Many benefit triggers to choose from.

American Insurnet Agency --
www.AmericanInsurnet.com 800-333-4638. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-89. Minimum group size five. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or cognitive. Portable. Elimination periods – zero day for home care; zero-30-90-180-354 for nursing home.

American Life & Health --
www.amlifegroup.com 800-992-1492. Available in all states EXCEPT CA CT KS ME MA NH NJ NY PA RI VT AND WA. Issue ages 18-84. Minimum group size: case by case. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs. Portable. Elimination periods – 90 days only.

Assurity Life Insurance Co. --
www.assurity.com 888-276-7619, x 3774. Available in all states EXCEPT FL NY AND VT. Issue ages 40-84. Minimum group size, none, but discount with 10 members. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or severe cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 0, 30, 90, 180.

Berkshire Life Insurance --
www.TheBerkshire.com 888-505-8743. Available in all states. Issue ages 40-84. Minimum group size, none, but discount with 10 members. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or severe cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 0, 30, 90, 180.

Equitable Life & Casualty --
www.Equilife.com 800-352-5121. Available in all states EXCEPT AK CA CT DE DC FL GA HI ME MD MA MN NH NJ NY PA RI VT WA WI. Issue ages 18-84. Minimum group size, none. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or severe cognitive impairment (requires physician statement). Portable. Elimination periods – 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 365.

GamePlan Financial --
www.gameplanfinancial.com 770-517-2765. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-84. Minimum group size, three. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or severe cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 0, to 365.

Gelbwaks Insurance --
www.gelbwaks.cm 954-236-9999 x104. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-70. Minimum group size three. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or severe cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 20 to 180 days.

Golden Benefits --
goldenbenefits.com 415-454-3359. Available in California. Issue ages 18-79. Minimum group size, three. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs. Portable. Elimination periods – 0, 30, 60, 90.

Great American Life --
www.aimsltc.com 800-325-9876. Available in all states EXCEPT CA CT HI NJ NY. Issue ages 18-89. Minimum group size, five. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 30, 60, 100, 180, 365.

Guaranty Income Life --
www.gilico.com 800-535-8110 x292. Available in AL AZ AR CA CO FL GA IL IN IA KY LA MI MS MO MT NE NV NM NC ND OH OK OR SC TN TX UT WY. Issue ages to age 85. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or severe cognitive impairment (requires physician statement). Portable. Elimination periods – 90.

Harbor Insurance --
www.HarborIns.com 866-424-2167. Available in all states EXCEPT NY. Issue ages varies by carrier. Minimum group size, any. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – varies by carrier.

Insurance Network America --
www.InsuranceNetwork.com 800-456-7999. Available in all states EXCEPT CA HI MA NY. Issue ages 18-84. Minimum group size, one. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 7, 30, 60, 90, 180, 365.

John Hancock --
www.JohnHancockLTC.com 800-330-4598, 800-330-4582. CareChoice plan available in AL AK AZ AR CT DC GA IL IN IA KS KY ME MA MS MO NV NH NM NY OH OK OR RI SC SD WV WI and WY. Corporate Choice plan available in all states EXCEPT CA FL TX WA. Corporate Solutions plan available in all states EXCEPT CA NY. Issue ages 18 to retirement. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or severe cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 30, 60, 90.

LifeSecure Insurance Co. --
www.YourLifeSecure.com 810-220-4613. Available in AL AZ AR CO DE DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA MD MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NM ND OH OK OR SC SD TN TX UT VA WV WI WY. Issue ages 18-84. Minimum group size, three. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or severe cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 90.

LTCi Decision Systems --
www.LTCia.com 800-360-9853 or 720-922-9060. No details were furnished to reporting group.

MedAmerica Insurance Co. --
www.medamericaltc.com 800-544-0327. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-85. Minimum group size ten. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs. Portable. Elimination periods – 30, 60, 90, 180 days.

Metropolitan Life Insurance --
www.metlife.com 888-776-3882. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-84. Minimum group size, three. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or severe cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 20, 45, 100 days.

Nationwide Financial --
www.nationwide.com 800-321-6064. Available in all states EXCEPT MN MT WA. Issue ages 21-80. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 90 days.

Pacific Advisors --
www.PacificAdvisors.com 877-455-9580. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-84. Minimum group size, three. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 30 to 180.

Rampart America --
www.RampartAmerica.com 800-221-4623. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-85. Minimum group size, three. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs. Portable. Elimination periods – 30, 60, 90.

Roster Financial --
www.RosterFinancial.com 800-933-6632. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-85. Minimum group size, five. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 30, 60, 90, 180 days.

Senior Market Sales --
www.SeniorMarketSales.com 800-786-5566 x4. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-84. Minimum group size, three. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – zero to 730, depending on carrier.

The Prudential --
www.Prudential.com 800-732-0416. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-79. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 out of 365 days.

Transamerica --
www.TransamericaLTC.com 817-285-3604. Available in all states EXCEPT GA ID MT PA VT. Issue ages 18-79. Minimum group size, five. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – zero, 30, 60, 90, or 180.

Trustmark --
www.TrustmarkSolutions.com 800-840-4692. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-80. Minimum group size, 100. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 90 days.

Underwriters Marketing Service --
www.Callums.com 800-524-1774. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-84. Minimum group size, three. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – varies.

Unum --
Unum.com 800-421-0344. Two plans, GLTC Advantage and Group LTC. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-80. Minimum group size, ten or 15 depending on which plan is selected. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 20 to 730 days.

Wachovia Insurance Services --
www.Wachovia.com 803-765-3520. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-75. Minimum group size, ten. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs. Portable. Elimination periods – most have 90-100 days.

Zenith Marketing Group --
www.ZenithMarketing.com 800-733-0054. Available in all states. Issue ages 18-79. Minimum group size, four. Trigger: Unable to meet 2 of 6 ADLs or severe cognitive impairment. Portable. Elimination periods – 30, 90, 180, 365.

Alphabetical List of Pharmacy Benefit Managers

(accurate as of November 2008) Providing this list does NOT imply endorsement, and none should be assumed. You must determine which company's plans best suit you.

Aetna Pharmacy --
www.aetna.com More than 59K pharmacies in network. Available in all states. No minimum number in group. Disease management programs. Has mail order and call centers.

DrugsBestBuy.com --
www.DrugsBestBuy.com 207-439-2600. Available in all states. No minimum number in group. Save up to 46 percent on generics, up to 15 percent on brand name drugs. Does not offer disease management. Has mail order, internet pharmacy and call centers.

Express Scripts Inc. --
www.Express-scripts.com 866-408-3719. More than 60K pharmacies in network. Available in all states EXCEPT DC AND ME. Minimum number in group determined by plan sponsor. Disease management programs administered by LifeMasters. Has mail order, internet pharmacy and call centers.

Independent Health's Pharmacy Benefit --
www.IndependentHealth.com 716-635-7873. More than 50K pharmacies in network. Available in all states. Minimum number in group: 250. Disease management programs. Has mail order, internet pharmacy and call centers.

InformedRx Inc. --
www.sxc.com 630-577-4710. More than 55K pharmacies in network. Available in all states. No minimum number in group. No disease management programs. Has mail order, internet pharmacy and call centers.

Millennium Administrators Inc. --
www.millennium-tpa.com 866-644-2489. More than 60K pharmacies in network. Available in all states. Minimum number in group: 20. Disease management programs. Has mail order, internet pharmacy (thru mail order) and call centers.

Navitus Health Solutions --
www.navitus.com 480-838-1105. More than 55K pharmacies in network. Available in all states. Minimum number in group: 100. Disease management programs. Has mail order, internet pharmacy and call centers.

Outlook RX --
www.OutlookVision.com 800-342-7188. More than 55K pharmacies in network. Available in all states. No minimum number in group. No disease management programs. Has call centers, but no mail order or internet pharmacy.

Partners Rx Management --
www.PartnersRx.com 480-624-9400. More than 60K pharmacies in network. Available in all states. Minimum number in group: 25. Disease management programs. Has mail order, internet pharmacy and call centers.

Prescription Solutions --
www.RxSolutions.com 760-215-3639. More than 62K pharmacies in network. Available in all states. No minimum number in group. Disease management programs. Has mail order, internet pharmacy and call centers.

Prime Therapeutics --
www.PrimeTherapeutics.com 651-414-4198. More than 58K pharmacies in network. Available in all states. No minimum number in group. Disease management programs thru Prime's clinical program PrimeImpact. Has mail order, internet pharmacy and call centers.

Restat --
www.restat.com 800-926-5858. More than 60K pharmacies in network. Available in all states. No minimum number in group. No disease management programs. Has mail order, internet pharmacy and call centers.

ScripNet Inc. --
www.ScripNet.com 818-878-0296. More than 58K pharmacies in network. Available in all states. Designed for groups that spend over $500K annually on workers' compensation prescription drugs. Disease management programs. Has mail order, internet pharmacy and call centers.

Seven Practical Icebreakers that you can use during your next meeting

Looking for ways to break the ice at your next office meeting? Here are some surefire winners.
  • Have participants write down one question that they would like to have answered during the training session. Have them introduce themselves and read their question.

  • Have participants introduce themselves and explain one thing they have learned the hard way about the topic you are covering. Post the "Lessons Learned" on a flip chart and refer to them throughout the session.

  • Use a quiz as an icebreaker. Ask questions that the participants may all know. Sample questions: What are the names of the planets, starting from the one closest to the sun? Name the seven continents of the world?

  • Ask each person who they would most like to have dinner with and why.

  • Explain that many companies have slogans or mottos about their corporate values. Ask each person to write (or borrow) a slogan to describe himself or herself and share it with the group.

  • Ask each person to share one thing that makes him or her unique.

  • Ask for volunteers to share something good or new that they have experienced in the last 24 hours.

Alphabetical List of Providers of 401k Plans

The following is a list of carriers and administrators that offer 401k plans. It is up to date as of Fall 2008, but we do not guarantee that it is an all-inclusive list. Please consult with your certified financial planner regarding specific features of plans that will best fit your needs. Providing this list does NOT imply endorsement, and none should be assumed. You must determine which company's plans best suit you. The data is accurate as of October 2008; my apologies for not getting this up sooner.

401kBrokers.com and 401kAdministrators.com --
www.401kBrokers.com. 800-474-3826. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: 0.25% and no extra charge for setup, loans, termination, tax returns, agency or placement fees. For COMPANY 401k plans, the charge is 0.25% plus $1000. Distributions upon request.

Advanced Benefits Consulting --
314-539-0836. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: Varies with complexity of plan.

Alliance Benefit Group --
www.abgNational.com. 800-242-2356. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: Quotes are per plan, and are based on average account balance. Distributions within 8 days of request.

Alliance Pension Consultants --
www.AlliancePension.com. 847-291-9440. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: Quotes based on plan specs and parameters. Daily retirement distributions.

American United Life Insurance Co. --
www.OneAmerica.com. 866-313-7355. Available in all states except New York. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: Varies by product. Daily retirement distributions.

Assurity Advisors Inc. --
www.AssurityAdvisors.com. 800-284-8576. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: Varies. Daily retirement distributions.

Belanger and Co. Inc. --
www.BelangerandcCompany.com. 610-239-9750. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: $1850 plus an additional $10 per participant. Setup fees: $750 plus $150 per participant per year. Billed monthly.

Benefit Consultants --
www.bcionline.net. 888-968-2422 x22. Available in AL FL GA MS TN. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: Vary based on assets. Distributions subject to plan designs.

BenefitStreet Inc. --
www.BenefitStreet.com. 925-328-4547. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: $450 setup, $500 conversion.

Century Benefits Consulting Inc. --
www.Benefits-shmenefits.com. 415-647-8144. Available in all states. Offers plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: Varies with plan structure.

Charles Schwab --
www.scrs.schwab.com. 877-456-0777. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: Quotes on case-by-case basis.

CPI Qualified Plan Consultants Inc. --
www.cpiqpc.com 800-279-9916 x765. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: Varies depending on plan selected.

Daily Access Corp. --
888-535-4322. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee:$85 loan set-up fee; $50 annual maintenance fee.

EBS Benefit Solutions, Inc. --
www.ebsbenefitsolutions.com. 585-421-4400. Available in all states. Strictly an administrator, does not offer rollovers etc. Fees depend on product plan, support or “open mutual fund architecture”.

Employee Benefit Systems Inc. --
www.ebspesnion.com. 570-223-8402. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: $1000 set-up; on-going $900 plus $30 eligible.

Entrust New Direction IRA Inc. --
www.NewDirectionIRA.com 303-546-7930. ONLY in CO HI MT WY. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: Varies depending on assets. Set-up fee: $350; Annual fee $300 plus investment costs.

Expert Plan --
www.ExpertPlan.com 866-929-2525. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: Set-up fee: $75-$750; Annual recordkeeping fee: $75-$750; Annual participant fee: $0-$36 depending on assets.

Future Benefits of America
www.fb401k.com 901-843-7799. Available in all states. Set-up fee: $1200; $1000 base fee; $35 per participant with balance.

Great West Retirement Services --
www.gwrs.com 877-630-4015. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: not specified here, but it does charge fees for loan origination and annual maintenance fee for each loan.

Guardian Ins. & Annuity Co Inc. --
www.GuardianRetirement.com 866-390-7268. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: Setup: $750; $1250 conversion; other fees depend on assets.

Harbor Insurance Marketing --
www.HarborIns.com 866-424-2167. Available in all states EXCEPT NY. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: varies with size of plan.

ING --
www.ingretirementplans.com 888-238-6243. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: varies with assets, number of participants, and/or if there is a TPA involved.

Insurance Designers of Houston, Elite Mktg. Gp. --
www.EliteMktg.com 800-477-3548. Available in all states EXCEPT AK, DC AND HI. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: varies with size of account.

Iron Corporate Retirement Services --
888-396-4766. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: varies with plan size and number of participants.

Lafayette Life Insurance Co. --
765-477-7411. Available in all states EXCEPT AK AND NY. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: if one participant $250; all others $1000.

Lincoln Financial Group --
www.lfg.com 877-533-9710. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: varies.

MassMutual Financial Group --
www.MassMutual.com 866-444-2601. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: varies with plan size and complexity.

Mercer --
www.mercer.com 866-454-6477. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: varies by plan.

Milberg Consulting --
www.milbergconsulting.com 800-965-0988 x101. Available in all states. Offers no rollovers, but does offer plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: setup - $1750-$3,500; ongoing fee - $2,000-$5,000.

Mutual of Omaha Retirement Services --
www.GetRetirementRight.com 877-401-7253. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: varies with plan size.

Newport Group --
www.Newportgroup.com 800-230-3907. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: varies with plan participants and assets, funds, etc.

Ohio National Financial Services --
www.OhioNational.com 877-999-6637. Available in all states EXCEPT AK, HI, NY. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Administrative fee: setup $375; annual $675.

Online 401k --
www.TheOnline401k.com 877-775-4015. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Setup fee: from zero to $495.

Paychex Inc. --
www.Paychex.com 877-283-9520. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: starts at $95/month and $5 per participant.

Principal Financial Group --
www.principal.com 800-952-3343. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: varies with plan size.

Putnam Investments --
www.putnam.com 800-719-9914. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: setup starts at $250 and $500/year annual administrative fees.

Revzon Consulting Group --
www.RevzonConsulting.com 877-254-7085. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: varies.

Securian Financial Group Inc. --
www.SecurianRetirementCenter.com 877-876-4015. Available in all states EXCEPT NY. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: varies.

The Standard --
www.retirement.standard.com 877-805-1127. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: varies.

Sterling Trust --
www.Ster.lingTrustCompany.com 800-955-3434, option 5. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Administrative fee: base fee of $1250 for up to 20 participants; $1500 for 20+. Lots of features available.

Symetra Life Insurance Co. --
www.symetra.com/401k. 800-706-0700. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: None for the product. Symetra partners with Third Party Administrators to provide plan administration.

TGA, The Green Agency --
www.GreenAdvisory.com 508-224-9646. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Administrative fee: $900 bundled plan for less than 100 participants.

Transamerica Retirement Services --
www.TA-Retirement.com 888-401-5826. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: no setup fees, other plan fees vary with size.

Unified Trust Co. --
www.UnifiedTrust.com 859-296-4407 877-411-8781 Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Annual administrative fee: vary depending with services. Fees are online.

Wells Fargo Bank --
wwwWellsfargo.com/retirementsolutions 800-368-1225. Available in all states. Offers rollover plans, plan consolidation, and benefit statements. Administrative fee: setup is only $75.