If you are a Partnership policyholder and you received a letter regarding a premium increase, you may have some questions and concerns.
Who approved this increase?
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) approves all premium increases for long-term care insurance policies sold in California, including the California Partnership for Long-Term Care (Partnership). However, the California Code of Regulations state that the CDI shall not approve a premium increase of over forty percent on Partnership policies or certificates. The approved increase must be spread equally over three years.
I received a rate increase letter What should I do?
The Partnership is here to help you understand what this means to you. If you recently received a letter about a premium increase on your California Partnership policy, we are here to help you understand the options available to you. For questions, please send them to
cpltc@dhcs.ca.gov.
Premium Increase Exceptions
Policyholders are not subject to premium increase if you are one of the following:
Waiver of Premium
Currently using policy benefits for a nursing facility or residential care facility
Premium Increase Protection Provision
The California Department of Insurance approves all premium increases. However, your Partnership policy has a rate cap that limits an insurance company's ability to raise rates over 40%. In addition, the total amount of any approved premium increase is spread equally over three years. The table illustrates how this works.
What are my options?
Policyholders may be able to reduce benefits to help lessen the impact of a premium increase. Here are three possible options available for Partnership policies.
- Choose to lower the current maximum daily benefit
Reduce the daily benefit by 50 percent
Reduce the daily benefit by 25 percent
Option
| Action |
| Benefit Period | Reduce to the lowest duration offered by the insurance company, but not below 12 months |
| Benefit Period | Reduce to the next highest duration on the insurer's approved rate schedule, but not below 12 months |
| Elimination Period | Increase to 90 days for a policy with an elimination period less than 90 days |
| Inflation Protection | Reduce from 5 percent compound to 3 percent compound or 5 percent simple |
| Inflation Protection | For policyholders 70 years of age and older – if policyholder incurred a 50% premium increase over the life of the policy, inflation protection may be reduced to 1 percent compound |
| Policy Conversion | Convert a policy to minimum coverage*
Example: $100 a day policy » one year » $73,000
*Check if insurer offers this policy in California |
Who can I talk to about my policy?
- Your agent is your first line of support.
- Contact the insurance company.
Genworth Consumer Line: (800) 419-0401
Genworth Policyholders may call the Genworth Customer Service team at 888-274-6124 with questions regarding the Genworth In-Force Rate Action. The Genworth Customer Service Team can assist with providing customized quotes for any available benefit adjustments.
For additional information regarding premium increases, we encourage you to visit Genworth LTC Insurance Premium Increases FAQs.
John Hancock: (844) 272-7842
Contact John Hancock with any questions. Visit the
John Hancock Info Center or contract customer services representatives at (844) 272-7842, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The TTY number for the hearing impaired is (800) 555-5421.
New York Life Customer Care Team: (800) 890-7798
If you have any questions, please contact your agent, or the New York Life Customer Care Team, Monday through Friday,
8 am to 6 pm Central Time.
MetLife Consumer Line: (888) 285-8140
If you have any questions, please call your agent, or the MetLife Customer Service team at 888-285-8140, Monday through Friday.
Transamerica: (866) 311-2048
You may reach Transamerica Customer Service Representatives at (866) 311-2048, Monday through Friday, during normal business hours. Additional representatives will be available between 4:00 pm. and 8:00 pm. ET to respond to questions about the premium increase. You may also reach
Transamerica through their website.
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP): (800) 434-0222
The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides health insurance counseling to senior California residents free of charge. You may reach HICAP at (800) 434-0222, or refer to the
HICAP office in your county
California Department of Insurance: (800) 927-4357
If you are a consumer or member of the public with an insurance inquiry or a complaint, please call the Consumer Hotline
