Nation's leading lawyer says 'Obama has it right' when it comes to Long-Term Care

ONTARIO, Calif., April 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Long-term care is the crisis of the 21st century and 3 out of 5 people will need it, while 2 out of 5 will require nursing home facilities.

 According to Frank N. Darras, the nation's leading disability and long term care insurance lawyer, who reviews over 1000 cases each month, the number of Long Term Care policyholders has increased 21% annually and now there are approximately six million LTC policies in the United States. 

"Barack Obama has it right, and it is encouraging to see a presidential candidate focusing on truly helping hard working senior Americans. His call for an investigation into the fraud that is running rampant in the long-term care business is a step in the right direction," says Darras.

In a recent press release, Obama said, "we're going to end it because it's about time Washington stood up to insurance companies so that families and seniors across the country can get the care they deserve."

Darras says that Long-Term Care policies have been oversold and under- priced. Now insurance companies are seeking rate increases and seniors on fixed income can't keep pace. The policies lapse when the policyholders need the coverage most. Or, for nearly the same premium, the carrier offers fewer benefits than originally promised when the policies were sold.

"It is a shame, plain and simple," says Darras, "and a fraud against the folks who don't have any fight left in them."

"If a policyholder keeps the policy in force and makes a claim on a Long- Term Care policy they can expect the process to be complicated, confusing and extremely difficult. Insurance companies know sick people don't fight hard and old sick people don't last long, so they beat them up, wear them down and starve them out till they give up," says Darras.

Out of the ashes of the 90's, the disability industry suffered enormous jury verdicts, penalties, fines and negative publicity; one would think the insurance industry would have learned their costly lessons.

"Instead, 'Up jumps the devil,' in the form of unreasonable bad faith practices designed to cheat the elderly of their benefits," says Darras. "Picking on seniors and those who are disabled is a recipe for disaster and a call to arms for all those who proudly represent them."

70% of current nursing home residents deplete their financial assets within 12 months, and right now 12 million Americans need Long-Term Care. The questionability of the solvency of Social Security is making baby boomers and even people in their 50's consider Long-Term Care as an option.

"Your surest bet," Darras says, "know the claim paying history and how often the carrier has sought rate increases in your state. Get reliable competent advice and a sound second opinion from someone you trust before you shell out those hard earned premiums. Understand how your policy works and make sure when you file your claim, you don't give up till you get paid."