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John Hancock Announces Enhancements to Group Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance Products and Discount Program

Posted on: Wednesday, 17 June 2009, 09:00 CDT

Enhanced Products and Discount Programs Designed to Boost Sales Opportunities and Expand John Hancock Leadership in the Employer and Association Markets

BOSTON, June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- John Hancock, the largest provider of employer-sponsored Long-term care insurance in the U.S.,(1) has enhanced two of its leading group LTC insurance plans and updated its individual-based Sponsored Group Discount Program, making it easier for individual and group representatives to meet the LTC insurance needs of the employer and association markets.

"We applied the experience we have acquired during our more than 20 years of leadership in the LTC insurance industry to the development of new product features which we believe will resonate with employers of all sizes," said Marianne Harrison, President and General Manager, John Hancock Long-Term Care Insurance. "With enhancements to our core products and additional support for our sales force, we hope to continue to lead in the large employer market and expand in the small business market, where we see exceptional growth potential."

Enhancements to Group LTC Insurance Products, CareChoice and CorporateChoice

CareChoice, introduced in 1988 and designed for employers with more than 1,000 employees, and CorporateChoice, launched in 2005 and designed for employers with 25 - 1,000 employees have been well-received by employers and employees since their inception. The new plan enhancements include:

• A monthly cash benefit that can be used to pay for other costs and incidentals when you are receiving care
• An enhanced stay-at-home benefit, offering respite care during the qualification period
• New automatic Consumer Price Index inflation option that helps keep benefit levels relevant and premiums affordable
• An enhanced home benefit provision for claims beginning prior to age 65
• More limited pay premium options for those interested in paid-up coverage
• Care advisory services for non-insured family members

"One of the features that we take particular pride in is the Care Advisory Service feature which gives family members of employees access to quality assessment reports for local providers, as well as provider discounts. We believe that it addresses the needs of employees who may have caregiving responsibilities long before they need care themselves," said Harrison.

Enhancements to Sponsored Group Discount Program

John Hancock's popular Sponsored Group Discount Program has long helped financial advisors make inroads into association and small-employer group markets with the offer of a 5 percent discount on premiums and an expansive turnkey marketing program. To support expanded sales in this market, John Hancock is now offering a new lower participation requirement that calls for a three-life minimum within 90 days.

John Hancock has also developed a new suite of program marketing collateral that educates employees/members on the value of LTC insurance. Many of these pieces can be customized with the employer's or association's logo to help recipients identify with the offering.

"We believe that employers of all sizes play an important role in addressing the long-term care dilemma we're currently facing when they add LTC insurance to their benefits offerings. And at John Hancock we want to continue to be known for delivering high-quality, customer-oriented products and services that meet a wide range of needs in the employer and association markets," said Harrison.

Exclusive marketing arrangements are also available on a case-by-case basis.

About John Hancock Long-Term Care Insurance

John Hancock is one of the largest providers of LTC insurance overall with more than 1,000,000 LTC insurance clients and $1.5 billion of in-force LTC insurance premium.(2) The company holds $9.4 billion in LTC insurance reserves for future claims(3) and has paid $2.2 billion in LTC claims.(4) Having entered the retail LTC insurance market in 1987, John Hancock is one of the largest carriers of individual coverage in the country.(5) John Hancock began selling group LTC insurance in 1988 and today is the largest provider of employer-sponsored group LTC insurance in the U.S.(6) More information about the company's long-term care insurance products can be found at www.johnhancockLTC.com.

About John Hancock and Manulife Financial

John Hancock is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation (the Company), a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn $405.3 billion (U.S. $321.7 billion) as at March 31, 2009. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, fixed and variable annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at www.johnhancock.com.

Long-term care insurance is underwritten by John Hancock Life Insurance Company, Boston, MA 02117 and in New York by John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company, Boston, MA 02117.

(1) LIMRA International, U. S. Group Long-Term Care Insurance Sales Survey, Fourth Quarter YTD 2008 results.

(2) As of December 31, 2008, according to internal financial records.

(3) As of December 31, 2008, according to internal financial records inclusive of active and claims reserves for individual and group long-term care insurance.

(4) Based on John Hancock internal data as of 12/31/08. Total includes individual and group long-term care insurance and 50% of the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program.

(5) LIMRA International, U.S. Individual Long-Term Care Insurance Sales Survey, Fourth Quarter YTD 2008.

(6) LIMRA International, U. S. Group Long-Term Care Insurance Sales Survey, Fourth Quarter YTD 2008.

SOURCE John Hancock Long-Term Care Insurance

Source: PR Newswire

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