Lincoln Financial Group Launches Long-Term Care Coordination Tool

Lincoln Financial Group today announced the launch of Lincoln Concierge Care Coordination, a service available to new and existing policyholders of a Lincoln life and long-term care combination product. Lincoln Concierge Care Coordination complements the long term care planning guidance of a financial professional, by providing an effective process for coordinating care before and during a long-term care event. Policyholders and their loved ones can use Lincoln Concierge Care Coordination to help simplify the process of arranging long-term care services--from finding and coordinating service providers, to filing a claim.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 70 percent of men and women turning age 65 will need some form of long-term care at some point in their lives(1). That care may come in the form of unpaid "informal" services frequently provided by family members and friends, or from a wide variety of "formal" options, including home care, adult day care centers, respite care, hospice care, assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

Lincoln Concierge Care Coordination offers a wealth of tools to help clients choose between the many available formal and informal options, and coordinate the appropriate care:

-- Comprehensive lists of local providers and resources--from personal and home healthcare services to skilled nursing and living options -- An online needs assessment that catalogues the policyholder's current situation and needs to help create a plan for care -- An online library of articles, how-to videos and checklists related to health, aging and elder care -- Access to "Care Circle," a social network designed to aid communication between caregivers and loved ones, keeping everyone connected and informed on the well-being of the policyholder -- Customized care recommendations to help find the appropriate provider to fit client needs -- Access to a dedicated claims specialist to answer questions about policy benefits and assist in the claims process

"Facing a long term care event is challenging enough for individuals and their loved ones, so it's important that the tasks of arranging quality care and support services, or filing claims are as simple as possible," said Michael Hamilton, vice president, linked benefit product management, Lincoln Financial Group. "Lincoln Concierge Care Coordination offers resources to: design plans for receiving care; support families and informal caregivers; help those involved with organizing professional services to make informed decisions; and assist with the claims process."