Happy New Year!

The past year has seen numerous changes in our business. The continued low interest environment has forced some of our carriers to cease selling life and long term care insurance. The differences and difficulties in our state and federal governments have created turmoil in watchdog groups such as the Department of Labor.

During our winter meetings, all MVP associates pledged to be proactive, timely and transparent in all aspects of our business. MVP will continue our commitment to help you be more efficient and profitable by keeping you informed and protected while working closely with you and your staff. 

This year and into the future MVP will make every effort to help you insure your customers for a lifetime. Term insurance may bring peace of mind initially, but less than 2% of term policies are ever in force at time of death. MVP believes that many of our society's current financial problems would be resolved with greater savings, more permanent life insurance, and use of living benefits riders.

Our national brokerage partner, AimcoR, has created documents and protection against the Department of Labor mandates for Fiduciaries that requires adoption this April. While there may be hope that the new President and Congress will repeal some of these mandates, you and MVP cannot hide from or ignore the possibility the mandates will remain in place. Call us and be protected.

In addition, MVP has invested in a fantastic software system to help us analyze company products on your behalf. LifeTrends provides MVP unique product analytics, positioning and benchmarking data that we believe will add credibility to you when discussing your recommendations with your customers and other advisors.

Finally, MVP continues to support your underwriting concerns as well as your marketing initiatives with our full time impaired risk specialist, Kristie Carlsen, our experienced case managers, and our Marketing Director, Sherri Hellenbrand.

We truly look forward to growing our relationship with you this coming year. Be sure to ask your MVP Team about the upcoming all-expense paid trip to Los Cabos, Mexico!

Consider Caregiver Challenges when Considering LTC Options

When caring for a loved one or a friend, we often focus on the needs of the care receiver
and forget how heavy the responsibility is for the caregiver. Keep the following advice in mind when planning future long-term care options:

1. Everyone needs personal space. When someone becomes a full-time caregiver, that space and time will become infringed upon. Establish a rule of separation for an hour a day or half day a week or one long weekend quarterly. Ensure some mental and physical alone time.
2. Communication can become difficult for the ill. They may speak softer and many times have a hard time hearing. In some cases they may stop talking. Be proactive. Have an intentional conversation sitting face to face without distractions. Speak up! Wait for the speaker to finish his or her sentence. Keep an open mind. This also works when visiting people in facilities or hospitals. A gentle touch or squeeze of the hand can mean a great deal. We all need the human touch in our lives.
3. Mood disorders can be a challenge. Be aware that for both the caregiver and receiver apathy, anxiety and depression can be symptoms of the change in conditions. Look for support groups for both to share problems and feelings. NO ONE IS AN ISLAND.
4. As a caregiver, don’t let your health be challenged. 24/7 care giving is not a care plan and it is not healthy. Exercise, drink more water and make certain to keep your own doctor’s appointments. For your mental health, give yourself a regular candid analysis of what you can and cannot do. Consider finances, heavy lifting ability, sleep and nutrition. Caregivers need an established support system to allow respite from giving care.

When considering long-term care, and if you decide that self-insuring is the best way to handle the care for the illness of a loved one, don’t forget the financial, physical and mental cost of being the caregiver!