Melissa, Scott and I would like to thank you for your continued interest and assistance regarding our Long Term Care Insurance policies. It is hard to believe that several years have passed since you first briefed us on our options and walked us through the application process. We were fortunate to have found you and so glad that we purchased our policies. Everything we read about financial planning includes a section on the importance of obtaining Long Term Care Insurance. In addition, your advice regarding trends in pricing among competing companies was extremely accurate. We definitely made the right choice. Great Work, Melissa!
I appreciated your prompt response. Rather than trying to sell me another product, you provided your honest assessment that you could not provide a less expensive policy than the one I had.
After attending one of Melissa's very informative webinars on long-term care insurance, I made an appointment with her to get more personalized information. During this meeting, she very thoroughly answered the two pages of questions that I had provided beforehand and emailed me additional information that would have been hard to capture in notes. From the patient, cheerful responses that I received during our meeting, I would never have guessed that she was leaving on vacation the next day and was extremely busy. Several days later, I received brochures in the mail that she thought might be useful for other family members. I strongly endorse Melissa and can't imagine finding a more customer-focused or knowledgeable long-term care professional.
The Social Security maze requires a skilled and patient guide. Melissa has an uncommon mastery of the details, a delightful sense of humor, and a commitment to her clients that puts her in a league of her own. She is a remarkable talent!
According to a 2014 study completed by the American Association of Retired People (AARP), 80% of respondents wanted to age in their homes instead of moving to an assisted living or continued care facility. Considering there will be an estimated 73 million seniors ages 65 and older in America by 2030, this represents a very large number of the national population. Luckily, now more than ever, senior care trends are moving towards supporting the elderly in this endeavor.
Recently we had a series of meetings with our Estate Planning Attorney to review and update our pertinent documents. In the process, she suggested we have our LTC policies assessed, which we’ve had since 2002. She suggested Melissa Barnickel for the job as she is a specialist in these types of insurance. Since we had often wondered if our policies were still relevant and worthwhile today, we were delighted by the opportunity to have a trusted professional provide us with an independent review.
Between an ever-shifting investment market and a plethora of recent changes to the long-term care insurance industry, a continuing care retirement community (“CCRC”) may seem like a beneficial way to plan for your long-term care. After all, the annual median cost of an assisted living facility for 2015 in the US rang in at $43,200, while the annual median cost of private room nursing home care in the US reached $91,250. A continuing care community therefore allows you to purchase independent living housing with the promise of being able to move into an assisted living or nursing home if the need arises.
Having a conversation with your parents and spouse about long term care in advance of a need will help to follow their wishes without second-guessing yourself. Long Term Care Insurance may be part of the funding solution.
Melissa, Thank you for getting me through this process. It's not a pleasant subject to think about, but I feel better knowing that, unlike my mom, I have this option to fall back on if I need it.
Thanks, M.R., Ellicott City, Howard County, Maryland
When we recently received the premium increase notices concerning our long term healthcare policies, we were a little concerned. After we set up an online meeting with Melissa Barnickel and went through the particulars of the policies and the increased (doubled and increasing) coverage, we realized what a great thing we did by going with you 11 years ago. You worked with us to help defray the increased premium by paying annually instead of quarterly and helped us realize what comprehensive coverage we have. In spite of any future health concerns, our investments and home are safe, thanks to Melissa.
