Mass Mutual Long-Term Care Insurance Review

The Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, also known as MassMutual, founded in 1851, is a Springfield, Massachusetts-based life insurance company. The MassMutual provides several insurance and financial products. The company is best known for having several types of life insurance options, in addition to disability, long-term care, annuities, and retirement/401(k) plan services.

Mass Mutual suspended the sales of traditional Long-Term Care Insurance in January 2021. Their hybrid long-term care products and life insurance products with accelerated death benefits and chronic illness riders are still offered. 

There is no impact on any existing Long-Term Care Insurance policy. LTC Insurance is guaranteed renewable, so once issued, it cannot be canceled by the insurance company as long as the premium continues to be paid. The company has outstanding financial ratings and reputation, so current policyholders should have no concerns.

Review of Mass Mutual LTC Features and Benefits

Mass Mutual had comprehensive Long-Term Care Insurance plans that provided all the most sought-after features and benefits consumers, specialists, and financial planning looked for in a policy. These included: 

• Partnership

• Daily Benefits ranged from $50 a day to $400 a day

• Option to have a monthly home care benefit

• 3% or 5% compound inflation options - a "no inflation" option was also available

• Joint Waiver of Premium option

• Survivorship benefits with a paid-up policy for surviving spouse

• 90-day elimination period

• Option to add a waiver of elimination period during home care

• Case Management

• Spousal discounts

Partnership

Partnership Long-Term Care Insurance plans from Mass Mutual offered additional dollar-for-dollar asset protection in the states participating in the program.  

Remember, asset-based "hybrid" products are not partnership certified.

• What is a Long-Term Care Partnership Policy?

Hybrid and Life Combination Products

Mass Mutual offers CareChoice One and CareChoice Select. These are whole-life insurance policies with qualified long-term care riders. They provide three significant guaranteed benefits:

• A pool of long-term care benefits (LTC Benefit Pool)

• A death benefit

• A Policy Surrender Value (surrender value) that increases over time

Note that receiving long-term care benefits reduces the death benefit and policy surrender value. The company's hybrid options are not very competitive against many of its competitors in this category. Seek the help of a qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist to determine if the product is appropriate for your needs. 

The company also offers an acceleration of benefits options and chronic illness riders with many of its life insurance products. Acceleration of benefits means you can access the death benefit if the policyholder requires long-term health care. However, depending on the size of the death benefit, this may not meet the policyholder's needs. 

While not Long-Term Care Insurance, chronic illness riders can offer benefits for nursing homes and other types of extended care. These riders do not meet federal guidelines under Section 7702(b) of U.S. Code.

Federal Regulation and Consumer Protections

All Long-Term Care Insurance contracts are regulated under IRS regulations §7702B(b). Any insurance contract that meets the guidelines set by the Internal Revenue Service is considered long-term care. All insurance products that meet these federal guidelines contain consumer protections, regulated benefit triggers, and tax advantages.

All of Mass Mutual's traditional Long-Term Care Insurance products meet federal guidelines. 

Claims

If you own a Mass Mutual Long-Term Care policy and seek help submitting a claim, LTC NEWS offers free - no-obligation assistance - including help finding quality caregivers and facilities. Since most agents have little or no experience in this area, this assistance can be helpful for the entire family - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim.

Find State-Specific Information

Each state has a state-specific page that includes the current and future cost of long-term care services, available tax incentives, information on care providers, and other important information - LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator.

Shopping for Long-Term Care Insurance?

When shopping for Long-Term Care Insurance coverage, remember that numerous state and federal regulations impact Long-Term Care Insurance. Each state's department of insurance regulates products and premiums. Because of regulation, an insurance agent, agency, or financial advisor cannot give a consumer a special discount that is not available otherwise. 

Use all the tools and resources available on LTC NEWS to help you in your research - Resources for Long-Term Care Planning.

There are more similarities than differences when it comes to features and benefits. However, options and benefits vary from company to company, and premiums can vary between companies by over 100% when comparing equal benefits.

Other Options to Consider

Since Mass Mutual no longer offers traditional Long-Term Care Insurance, several top-rated insurance companies are available that offer both traditional and partnership-certified plans. The top insurance companies for traditional Long-Term Care Insurance include: 

• Mutual of Omaha

• Thrivent Financial

• National Guardian Life

• New York Life

• Northwestern Mutual

The top insurance companies for hybrid plans that combine life insurance or an annuity with a qualified rider (those meeting federal guidelines) for long-term health care include:

• Nationwide

• One America

• Brighthouse

• Lincoln Financial

• Securian Financial 

A Long-Term Care specialist can assist you in finding the proper coverage.

Underwriting

Long-Term Care Insurance is medically underwritten, and every company has underwriting rules that determine insurability and rate class. An experienced Long-Term Care Insurance specialist will understand these underwriting rules when helping you select the best company and policy options.

What is Underwriting? How Does Current Health Impact Ability to Obtain Long-Term Care Insurance?

Mass Mutual underwriting is considered "conservative" compared to other insurance companies. 

A Long-Term Care Insurance specialist can assist you in determining insurability and which insurance company may best fit your age, health, and family history. Before applying, discuss your pre-existing health issues in detail with a specialist, agent, or advisor. 

Comparing LTC Insurance Products

Since your health is a primary consideration in determining your eligibility for coverage, it is always best to start planning before retirement when health is usually better. An experienced Long-Term Care Insurance specialist will ask several questions about your health to provide accurate quotes and professional recommendations.

Please note: Since every company has different underwriting rules, you could be eligible for coverage with one company and not another.

When comparing Long-Term Care Insurance, you should understand the differences between Mass Mutual and other companies. 

There are variations between the policy language and benefits between the many companies that offer Long-Term Care Insurance; however, the primary features and benefit choices are comparable from company to company. 

Premiums and underwriting criteria vary dramatically between insurance companies. 

State variations may apply.