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The dramatic hike in long-term care rates should be reviewed by Congress.
That message was delivered to leaders of two key congressional committees in a letter from National President Tony Reardon. NTEU objects to both the surge in premium costs for enrollees and the limited time they have to consider their options.
Reardon referenced the real-life impact on one NTEU member whose monthly premium skyrockets to $736.40 from $325.84. This type of premium increase is not viable, and will not be doable on the part of the vast majority of enrollees, Reardon told lawmakers.
Premiums are projected to increase by an average of 83 percent and some enrollees may face increases of 126 percent. The majority of the 274,000 can expect premium costs to rise. And, enrollees only have until Sept. 30 to assess their options.
While current long-term care enrollees will receive a package in the mail with alternatives, choosing a lower premium results in reduced coverage levels. If enrollees do not take any action, they will simply be charged a higher rate.
Those impacted can get more information online at www.LTCFEDS.com/MyAccount or toll-free with a trained long-term care customer service representative at 1-800-582-3337.