ClearCert Newsletter  - October, 2008

Editor's Notes

As fall begins state and national elections are dominating the agenda for lawmakers, which has slowed the pace of LTCi training implementation. In the last two months, no state has issued new mandatory LTCi training requirements, although Washington is finalizing its regulations.

However, things have not slowed down in the world of mandatory LTCi training, as two ClearCert Insurer Members have announced a date after which they will accept only completions through ClearCert Network Providers as proof of a producer's qualified status. This will make it easy for their producers to find courses certified to meet state requirements. After completing a course, their completion records will be available to ClearCert Member Insurers whenever they are needed.

As we near year's end, several state training deadlines are looming. Help is on the way! Advisors seeking to become qualified to represent LTCi in any of states that requires NAIC training have additional choices, as ClearCert is pleased to welcome a number of training firms to the ClearCert Network. Courses from AHIP, SuccessCE, CEU.com, StateCE, NAIFA Wisconsin, Achievement Resources, Educational Concepts Unlimited, and Colorado Life are now or will soon be listed on ClearCert. A total of 18 training firms now participate in the ClearCert Network, making it easier than ever for producers to find high-quality courses that meet mandatory long-term care training requirements in every NAIC state.

Georgia has moved its initial training deadline back two months. We are still tracking the state's updating regulations that will affect reciprocity for training completed in other states for both resident and non-resident agents and will let you know once something is final.

Washington state will soon become the 29th state to implement mandatory LTCi training requirements since the passage of the Deficit Reduction and the NAIC Model Acts. Although the majority of states now require training according to the NAIC model, another 17 have not yet done so (not counting the original four partnership states). As a ClearCert Newsletter subscriber, you'll know as soon as additional states implement requirements - and when states with training requirements already in place make changes to those requirements!

ClearCert Insurer Members Announce Deadline

Recently two ClearCert Insurer Members communicated an important deadline to their field networks. As of December 1, 2008, ClearCert Insurer Members John Hancock and MedAmerica will move toward accepting only courses completed through the ClearCert Provider Network. Courses completed prior to that date will continue to be accepted as proof of valid completion (assuming the training is appropriate). Between December 1, 2008 and January 1, 2009, the companies will allow a transition period during which courses taken from non-ClearCert training firms will be closely reviewed to assure training is appropriate, although they strongly encourage producers to select courses from the ClearCert Course listing. After January 1, 2009, except for courses each company may specific, only ClearCert completions will be accepted.

New ClearCert Network Training Firms

ClearCert invites all training firms that present NAIC training to join its  eighteen Network Providers in the ClearCert Provider Network. Our Network Providers have earned the industry's only independent, third-party course content validation, and have agreed to meet high standards of course compliance as embodied in the ClearCert Course Commandments.

Training firms participate in ClearCert to ensure that carriers, distributors and advisors can trust their courses fully meet all requirements. With so many training firms participating, it just doesn't make sense to take a course from a company that is not a part of the ClearCert Network. Just look for the ClearCert Content Certified seal!

If you know of a firm that offers LTCi training that isn't part of the Network, would you let us know? Better yet, let them know that you would like to see their courses listed on ClearCert!

ClearCert Network Training Firms
(as of 10/15/2008)

 

Upcoming Training Deadlines

The deadline for completing initial training is nearing in six states. If you represent LTCi in one or more of these states - or work with advisors who do - make plans now to complete required training through a ClearCert Network Provider. 

* Note: The training deadline in these states is the date listed or the date upon which a represented carrier issues a partnership policy in the state, whichever is later.

Washington State Updating Training Requirement to NAIC Standard

Washington's 6-hour long-term care training requirement will soon be replaced by an 8-hour initial training requirement patterned after the NAIC model. As soon as details are finalized we'll let you know.

Georgia Moves Deadline

Georgia has decided to move the deadline for completing an initial 8-hour training course from the original date of October 1st, 2008 to January 1st, 2009.

Membership Opportunities

ClearCert's information resources for producers are available thanks to the support of long-term care insurance carriers and distributors. Find out what other industry leaders have discovered about the many benefits of ClearCert Membership! To learn more, visit us at www.ClearCert.com, e-mail info@clearcert.com or call us at 1-800-653-3122 x3 to reach our Membership Center.

About ClearCert: Founded in 2007, the Compliance Certification Clearinghouse is the long-term care industry's resource for compliance with mandatory training requirements. We represent our Member Insurer's perspectives to provide the industry with a clear, concise listing of state regulations and courses that comply.