Apply for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program

Thank you for your interest in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP). As you consider submitting an application for coverage, it is important for you to know that the FLTCIP may be undergoing some changes.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) currently contracts with John Hancock Life Insurance Company and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, as the insurers for the FLTCIP. Long Term Care Partners, a joint venture of John Hancock and MetLife, administers the Program. The current contract ends on April 30, 2009.

OPM is in the process of selecting the insurer(s) for the next contract period. Under the next contract, benefits and/or premiums may change from what is outlined in the Information and Application Kit. Until the next contract is awarded, information about the next insurer(s) or changes in benefits and/or premiums will not be available. This may affect your decision to apply now.

In addition to your own specific financial, family, and health situation, you should consider the following:

Your premiums may change under the next contract, whether you apply now or later. If your application is approved, you would be charged at the current premium rates through at least April 30, 2009.

The next contract may offer different benefits or other options. OPM will provide sufficient information about any differences after contract award, so you can make an informed decision, should any decision be necessary.

There could be a different insurance company or companies providing the insurance under the next contract.

Premiums are based on your age when you submit your application. If you submit an application after your next birthday, your premiums will be based on that higher age.

Applications are underwritten. That means that certain medical conditions or combinations of conditions will prevent some people from being approved for coverage. If you are currently in good health, waiting to apply always carries the risk of developing a condition that may make you uninsurable.

If you are eligible to apply with abbreviated underwriting now, keep in mind your opportunity ends 60 days after your hire/eligibility date. If you want to apply after those 60 days and before the end of the current contract, you will have to apply with full underwriting, which requires you to answer more questions about your health status. The availability of any other opportunities to apply with abbreviated underwriting and the underwriting standards under the next contract will not be known until the next contract is awarded.