After age 50, there are millions of American women living alone as a result of divorce, death of a spouse or simply because they never got married.  Equally important, there are millions who will eventually be living alone as a result of the death of their older male or female partner.   After age 65, women are twice as likely to be living alone.

It is commonly known that women live longer lives than men.  On average they live about five years longer and women are far more likely to reach age 85.  The consequence of living a long life, into your 80s, 90s and even beyond, is the significantly increased likelihood of needing long term care.

There are roughly one million women over the age of 65 occupying beds in the nation’s nursing homes.  By comparison, there are roughly 337,000 men over age 65.  Women are far more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.  It’s not a pretty picture and far too few women do any planning for this likelihood.  Frankly, there are far too few women planners and other professionals working to educate America’s older women regarding post-retirement planning issues.

Here, however, are the important facts and the current price advantage available to women when it comes to long term care insurance – one of the options available to pay for care.  Women receive roughly two-thirds of all long term care insurance benefit dollars paid out by insurance companies.  They make up 65 percent of all new claims started in 2011 according to the yearly study by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.

So, with more risk and more dollars being paid out in claims, it would be natural to think that single women (women living alone) would pay significantly more that a man for long term care insurance.  That is not the case.  All things being equal, a single woman pays the same as a single man.  Rates are what the industry calls unisex.  This is a significant advantage for women – but experts point to changes that will one day eliminate this advantage as part of future policies.  The pricing advantage will not be lost by those who already have insurance coverage.

One final point worth sharing.  Few are aware that in order to obtain long term care insurance one must health qualify.  In simple terms, not everyone can get this coverage and certainly the ability to health qualify drops as one ages and more conditions arise.  Thus, the sweet spot for looking at this coverage is between the ages of 54 and 64.  For a woman living alone, the need to at least get the information is vital.  The peace of mind of knowing you have a plan is priceless … and the savings resulting from the current pricing advantage ain’t bad either.

For additional information on long term care insurance costs or to connect with a specialist member of the Association call (818) 597-3227 or visit the organization’s website.

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“The E&O program is available in all states and offers extremely competitive premiums for agents who can successfully answer eight simple online questions,” explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the trade organization.  The association’s sponsored E&O product provides a $1 million limit of liability for each claim with a $1,000 deductible per-claim.

Coverage under the program is also available for new agents with options for agencies and their staff.  “We are committed to helping to build critical illness insurance sales in the United States,” Slome declares, “as a result, we are continuing to offer free membership to insurance agents and brokers who wish to learn more about marketing and selling critical illness insurance protection.”

Open enrollment for the group policy has started with premiums for the full year of coverage starting at $515.   “An agent can sign up at any point for coverage and will pay the pro-rated premium which can be as low as $103,” Slome explains.  The program offers instant online approval and certificates are immediately available.  “The program even accepts credit card payments, ideal for those who like to accumulate points,” Slome adds.

For additional information call the Association at (818) 597-3205 or visit their website http://www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org/eo to access free online consumer information guides.

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The percentage of claims that occurred before age 45 grew compared to 2010.  Some 13 percent of male policyholders and 12 percent of female policyholders who received benefits were younger than 45 according to the data from 10 leading critical illness insurers.  “The increase in younger claimants is likely due to an increase in younger buyers of this relatively new form of insurance coverage,” explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the recently formed critical illness insurance trade group.  “With higher health insurance deductibles and more restrictive plans, critical illness insurance is starting to gain traction among buyers in their 30s and 40s.”
The study found a pronounced year-to-year increase in the number of claims paid to policyholders between ages 35 and 44.  Some 8 percent of new claims by men and 10 percent women occurred at these ages in 2011, versus four percent reported by the prior year’s study.   The greatest decline in claims occurred after age 55.

The study revealed that cancer remains the leading cause for new individual claims accounting for 61 percent of new claims.  Heart attacks accounted for 11 percent and stroke for 18 percent of new claims.

Researchers analyzed data for over 57,000 purchasers of individual critical illness insurance policies as well as claims reported by leading insurers for the time period January 1 to December 31, 2011. The American Association for Critical Illness Insurance is the national trade association providing information to consumers and insurance professionals.  Free access to the organization’s online learning, marketing and sales center is offered to insurance and financial professionals.  For further information, visit the Website:  www.aacii.org/ or call (818) 597-3205.

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Scientists from three leading European countries reported that heavier drinking, which they defined as having three or more drinks a day can increase risk up to 50 percent.

The findings attributed some two percent of breast cancer cases in Europe and North America to light drinking alone, and about 50,000 cases worldwide to heavy drinking.

“The research seems to confirm the expert advice for women to minimize drinking,” explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance.   Critical illness insurance pays a cash, lump sum benefit upon diagnosis of a critical illness such as cancer.

Healthy women at average risk of breast cancer should not consume more than one alcoholic drink a day, the study’s authors said.  The connection between breast cancer and alcohol was first suggested in the early 1980s, the researchers noted. To update the research, they searched for more than 3,400 studies and narrowed their focus to 113 that examined the effects of light drinking on breast cancer risk.

Scientists note that alcohol is thought to increase estrogen levels, in turn, perhaps, increasing the risk of breast cancer. Several studies have found alcohol more strongly linked to cancers known as estrogen receptor positive, which require estrogen to grow.

Seitz said the team’s research controlled for various other factors that might affect risk, such as obesity.

The American Cancer Society guidelines say, for overall health, if you don’t drink, don’t start.  If you do, it’s best to limit your consumption to one drink a day if you are a woman.

For more information on critical illness insurance, visit the Association’s Consumer Information Center .

American Association for Critical Illness Insurance
3835 E Thousand Oaks Blvd
Westlake Village, CA 91362

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For the second consecutive year, researchers analyzed data from 10 leading critical illness insurers, which accounted for over 57,200 purchasers of individual critical illness insurance policies made between January 1 and December 31, 2011.  “People increasingly understand they have some financial risk as a result of higher health insurance deductibles or lost income resulting from a dread disease and are selecting nominal amounts of CI coverage because they believe it is both sufficient and affordable protection,” explains Jesse Slome, AACII executive director.

According to the 2012 National Critical Illness Insurance Buyer Study some 29 percent of male buyers and 31 percent of female buyers purchased benefit levels of $10,000 or less.   Fewer than one in 10 male buyers (9%) and only eight percent of female buyers purchased over $50,000 in protection.

According to the Association’s online Critical Illness Insurance Price Calculator, a 40-year-old male non-smoker will pay about $20 monthly for $20,000 of CI protection.  Females pay less, Slome notes.

Critical illness insurance pays a tax-free, lump-sum cash benefit generally upon diagnosis of a covered critical illness such as cancer, heart attack or stroke.  Sold in 54 countries worldwide, the first policies became available in the United States around 1996 and today over one million individuals have such protection in the U.S.

The American Association for Critical Illness Insurance is the national trade association providing information to consumers and insurance professionals.   For further information, visit the Association’s Website:  www.aacii.org/ or call (818) 597-3205.

For long term care insurance information and costs visit our sister organization, the American Association for Long Term Care Insurance.

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Researchers analyzed data from 10 leading critical illness insurers, which accounted for over 57,200 purchasers of individual critical illness insurance policies made between January 1 and December 31, 2011.  “While the majority of critical illness insurance sales continue to be made in the worksite setting, sales to individuals are increasing as awareness grows,” explains Jesse Slome, AACII executive director.

According to the 2012 National Critical Illness Insurance Buyer Study some18 percent of male buyers and 17 percent of female buyers were between the ages of 25 and 34.   Fewer than one in 10 buyers were age 25 or less and just over one in five buyers were age 55 or older.   This year’s study found that buying ages for men and women were more closely aligned compared to last year notes Stephen Rowley, Vice President for Gen Re.

Critical illness insurance pays a tax-free, lump-sum cash benefit generally upon diagnosis of a covered critical illness such as cancer, heart attack or stroke.  Sold in 54 countries worldwide, the first policies became available in the United States around 1996 and today over one million individuals have such protection in the U.S.

The American Association for Critical Illness Insurance is the national trade association providing information to consumers and insurance professionals.   For further information, visit the Association’s Website or call (818) 597-3205.

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Heart failure affects nearly five million Americans according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the national trade organization.   Heart failure is defined as a condition when the heart is too weak to pump blood and oxygen to the body’s organs.

Researchers analyzed data from over 22,000 male doctors who were divided into four categories based on their height.  The scientists found that the tallest doctors, those who were between six feet and six feet eight inches saw a 24 percent drop in the risk of developing heart failure compared to the doctors in the shortest category.  These doctors were five feet seven inches tall or shorter.

“Heart disease and heart failure is no longer an immediate death sentence but the financial ramifications are enormous forcing many Americans into bankruptcy,” explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the national trade organization.  “Some 60 percent of bankruptcies are due to medical bills and 78 percent of these individuals had health insurance when the health incident first occurred.”

“Heart disease is one of the leading critical illnesses impacting men along with cancer,” Slome explains.  There were 780,000 new coronary attacks this year according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance http://www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org report.  “Today heart attacks are survivable but  medical expenses are now a leading cause of financial bankruptcy,” Slome adds.  “Even the best insurance policies no longer cover every cost associated with treating cancers and families face huge expenses.”

Individuals interested in receiving a cost quote for critical illness insurance from a designated American Association for Critical Illness Insurance professional can complete the organization’s free quote request form accessible at http://www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org or obtain information by calling the Association’s offices.

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Researchers in the Netherlands tracked nearly 800 patients who died from breast cancer between the years 1995 and 2003.  These were compared with some 3,700 or more control patients who were matched by age and other measures.

The study found that women who underwent screening reduced their risk of dying from breast cancer by 49 percent.  For women between the ages of  70 and 75, the reduced risk of dying from breast cancer was even higher; 84 percent.   For younger women, those specifically between the ages of 50 to 69, the reduction was smaller, though still significant at 39 percent.

Among the women with breast cancer, nearly 30 percent of tumors were found as a result of the screening and about 34 percent were identified between screens. Nearly 36 percent of these women had never had a mammogram.

“Mammography screening, including the best age to begin, is being debated in the United States,” explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance.  “Some experts believe women should start getting them at age 40 while others recommend routine screenings begin at age 50.”

The study findings add to the body of evidence supporting the fact that mammography improves detection and survival.  However, medical researchers noted that is was not clear whether the women who died of cancer got less aggressive treatment or refused treatment. That could have affected survival, of course.

“Heart attack, cancer and stroke are the three leading critical illnesses impacting millions of families each year, ” Slome adds, “which is why we have mounted a campaign to educate individuals between ages 30 and 50 about critical illness insurance protection which pays a lump sum cash amount upon diagnosis of a major condition.”

For more information on critical illness insurance, visit the Association’s Consumer Information Center at http://www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org/learning-center/.  For information on long term care insurance, visit the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance’s educational website http://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/ – long term care insurance.

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According to a new study increasing levels of vitamin D with supplements reduced a person’s risk of dying from any cause.  The significant reduction was compared to someone who remained deficient in the vitamin.

Researchers at the University of Kansas analyzed data on more than 10,000 patients and reported that 70 percent were deficient in vitamin D and these individuals proved to be at significantly higher risk for a variety of heart diseases.

The scientists reported that D-deficiency also nearly doubled a person’s likelihood of dying.  The study authors note that when individuals corrected the deficiency with supplements they lowered their risk of death by 60 percent.

“Other studies have discussed the importance of vitamin D to good overall health,” explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance http://www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org. “It is very valuable to see that there is such a strong relationship between heart disease and vitamin D deficiency.”

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a range of illnesses, but few studies have demonstrated that supplements could prevent those outcomes.

Among the individuals tested more than 70 percent of the patients were below 30 Nano grams per milliliter, the level many experts consider sufficient for good health.  After taking into account the patients’ medical history, medications and other factors, cardiologists discovered that those individuals with deficient levels of vitamin D were more than twice as likely to have diabetes, 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure and about 30 percent more likely to suffer from a diseased heart muscle,  as people without D deficiency.

Previous research has indicated that many Americans don’t have sufficient levels of vitamin D, however. The latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey estimated that 25 percent to 57 percent of adults have insufficient levels of D, and other studies have suggested the number is as high as 70 percent.

Nearly one million Americans will have anew coronary attack this year according to AACII and heart attack, cancer and stroke are the three leading critical illnesses impacting millions of families each year.  “Few families are financially prepared for all the uncovered and related expenses,” Slome adds, “which is why we have mounted a campaign to educate individuals between ages 30 and 50 about critical illness insurance protection which pays a lump sum cash amount upon diagnosis of a major condition.”

For more information on critical illness insurance, visit the Association’s Consumer Information Center at http://www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org/learning-center/.  For information on long term care insurance, visit the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance’s educational website http://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/ – long term care insurance.

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According to research reported by the National Cancer Institute he highest male-to-female mortality rate ratios for cancers are lip cancer, where 5.5 men died for each woman patient, and esophageal, where 4 men died for each woman patient. 

The study examined over 30 different types of cancer examining data from 1977 to 2006.  When examining lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women, the scientists report 2.3 male deaths for each female death. 

“Men are more at risk of developing cancer to begin with,” explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, the national trade organization.  “The average lifetime chance that a man will develop lung cancer is about 1 in 13, compared to 1 in 16 for a woman.” 

Researchers noted that men are more likely to have advanced disease conditions by the time their cancer is diagnosed.  They noted that 28 percent of men do not visit the doctor regularly.

“Cancer is one of the leading critical illnesses impacting men along with heart disease,” Slome explains.  There were 1.5 million new cancer diagnosis  in the United States according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance http://www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org report.  “Today cancer is survivable but  medical expenses are now a leading cause of financial bankruptcy,” Slome adds.  “Even the best insurance policies no longer cover every cost associated with treating cancers and families face huge expenses.” 

Individuals interested in receiving a cost quote for critical illness insurance from a designated American Association for Critical Illness Insurance professional can complete the organization’s free quote request

form accessible at http://www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org or obtain information by calling the Association’s offices.

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