Do People Over-Estimate the Cost of Long-Term Care Insurance, Depriving Themselves of Vital Protection?

KIRKLAND, Wash., Sept. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today LTC Financial Partners, LLC (LTCFP) announces a straw poll to let people guess the cost of long-term care insurance, immediately learn what others think, and then get actual numbers from an expert by phone. The poll and follow-up information are designed to correct a misconception that may be leaving most Americans unnecessarily unprotected.

According to industry estimates, "only about 8% to 10% of consumers who could benefit from LTC insurance have it," says Denise Gott, LTCFP's National Sales Manager. "This is in stark contrast to the need." According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 70% of Americans over 65 will need long-term care at some point. And Medicare, in spite of widespread assumptions, is not designed to cover more than a small fraction of the costs.

"The false Medicare assumption plus the perception of high cost may be holding millions back," Gott observes.

The straw poll is available at http://www.ltcfp.com/LTCI-cost-poll/. After guessing the average cost of a typical policy, visitors may view the aggregate estimate to date. Then they may ask a local expert for actual cost quotes for their location, age, and circumstances. "Many will be very pleasantly surprised," says Gott.

The experts:

CA: Jim Valentine -- 408-792-0540
CA: Todd Stein -- 415-861-5088
CA: Sarah Fisher -- 510-230-4301
CA: Paula Taylor -- 510-763-5002
CA: Laura Weber -- 714-674-0190
CA: Sandra Stanley -- 888-316-8919
CA: Phyllis Solgere -- 909-627-5587
CA: Petra Petry -- 949-351-0347
CA: Michael Scoles -- 408-264-1759

CT: Leonard Wik -- 860-432-1870
CT: Steve Foss -- 860-539-0674
CT: Larry Golfin -- 860-677-4075

FL: Janet Washburn -- 239-404-7590
FL: George Braddock -- 305-378-8091
FL: Jerry Grubba -- 727-515-1910
FL: Mike Rou -- 904-276-9583

GA: Amy Pollock -- 404-237-1189
GA: Belen Hickman -- 404-245-2444

ID: Linda Hicks -- 208-331-2803

IL: Bobbi Foster -- 630-513-0034
IL: Cheri Davis -- 773-531-0669
IL: Robin Frank -- 773-774-2600

IN: Kirk Bennett -- 260-969-1310

MI: Marybeth Bayer -- 734-222-9882
MI: Tom Varner -- 810-796-2405

MN: Jennifer Ragborg -- 952-898-2750

MO: Keith Eisberg -- 573-303-3007
MO: Wendy Rinehart -- 816-886-2358

NE: Larry Neuwirth -- 308-635-2023
NE: Larry Heinert -- 402-339-8643
NJ: Gary Melnikoff -- 201-265-1958
NJ: Richard Landau -- 201-476-0880
NJ: Michael B. FitzPatrick -- 862-242-8787
NJ: James Cundari -- 973-450-1074

NY: Ronald Brie -- 212-799-3900
NY: Michael Robinson -- 516-612-4936
NY: Ray Donnelly -- 516-747-1809
NY: Gene Cutler -- 516-869-6767
NY: Jay Charno -- 516-935-4029
NY: Jennifer Lenihan -- 631-262-7167
NY: Susan Lenihan -- 631-262-7167
NY: Sheila White -- 631-893-4040
NY: Dana Dee -- 716-983-1316
NY: Virginia Lee Kintz -- 866-582-6074
NY: Steve Brefere -- 914-234-7767

OH: Pattianne Baran -- 216-409-0859
OH: John Cullen -- 419-797-9210
OH: Thomas Hodges -- 513-519-6010
OH: Brenda Gray -- 513-541-3968

OK: Samuel Walker -- 405-816-0868

OR: Diane Steeves -- 503-297-7677

PA: Anthony Camill -- 412-445-6171
PA: Cathy Allen -- 610-588-0852
PA: Kevin Bressler -- 610-783-6970

SC: Pamela Loesch -- 843-856-4141

TN: Mark Wardell -- 901-337-4146
TN: Teresa Will -- 931-619-1852

TX: Madeline Wade -- 214-295-8926
TX: Kat Roebuck -- 281-431-4033
TX: Kim Beckham -- 361-579-9663
TX: Kay Nettles -- 713-466-4614
TX: Bill Holland -- 817-283-7221

VA: Penny Gilbert -- 703-281-0914
VA: Patricia O'Neill -- 703-534-3255
VA: George Polizos -- 757-291-8505
VA: Michael Zuchowski -- 757-467-1354
VA: Joel James -- 757-478-5819
VA: Linda Sotirion -- 757-646-6820

VT: Tod Warner -- 802-985-4930

WA: Lucille Smith -- 206-877-3456
WA: Helen Boyer -- 425-557-5372
WA: Christine Khemis -- 888-582-5364

WI: Lynette Schiefer -- 920-434-4559

WV: Deborah Bailey -- 304-744-0111

Callers may ask any specialist for information applying to states not listed above.

LTCFP -- http://www.ltcfp.com -- is one of America's most experienced long-term care insurance agencies. The company proudly supports the "3 in 4 Need More" campaign: http://www.3in4needmore.com.

*(PHOTO 72dpi: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/12-0627-denisegott_72dpi.jpg)

*(Photo Caption: LTCFP National Sales Manager Denise Gott.)

This release was issued on behalf of the above organization by Send2Press(R), a unit of Neotrope(R). http://www.Send2Press.com

SOURCE LTC Financial Partners, LLC