Wisconsin statutes and regulations have been amended to allow insurers to offer Long-Term Care (LTC) Partnership Program policies and to require that all agents marketing any LTC insurance policies after January 1, 2009, complete specific LTC training. The LTC regulations are available on this Web site under Laws, Rules, Bulletins. Frequently asked questions for agents regarding LTC training are provided below. Agents are required to receive 8 hours of initial LTC training, which includes 2 hours of training specific to Wisconsin's Medicaid program and state LTC options in order to sell, solicit or negotiate LTC insurance beginning January 1, 2009. Insurers are responsible for ensuring that agents marketing their LTC products have completed the required training and to track and maintain records regarding this training. Please note: This is NOT a continuing education requirement. Agents should contact the insurers with which they are appointed to sell LTC insurance for additional information on training and the manner in which they must document and report to insurers.

Why do producers who are already licensed agents in Wisconsin need to take LTC training?

The federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) requires that states participating in the Long-Term Care (LTC) Partnership Program assure that individuals selling LTC Partnership policies receive training. Wisconsin Act 20, required that the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services and the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance approve a training program for individuals who sell LTC insurance policies in the state to ensure that those individuals understand the relation of LTC insurance to the Medical Assistance program and are able to explain to consumers the protections offered by LTC insurance and how this type of insurance relates to private and public financing of long-term care.

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What kind of training is required?

Agents selling long-term care insurance are required to complete eight hours of training by January 1, 2009, and four hours of training every two years thereafter concurrent with each individual’s continuing education reporting period..

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Does the training have to be approved by OCI?

Yes. Courses must meet the standards in s. Ins 3.46 (26)(a) 5 and 6, Wis. Adm. Code. The Wisconsin-specific Medicaid training in s. Ins 3.46 (26) (a) 6, Wis. Adm. Code, will be approved for two credit hours and must follow the Department of Health Services course outline. The course outline is available at www.uwosh.edu/ccdet/DHFS/lc/default.htm. Click on the Instructional Resources link under Course Search.

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Can the training be approved for CE credit?

Yes, although it is not required. The CE course reviewer will verify that the course content meets the requirements in the rule before approving it as a Long-Term Care Partnership course. The Wisconsin-specific Medicaid training in s. Ins 3.46 (26) (a) 6, Wis. Adm. Code, will be approved for two credit hours and must follow the Department of Health Services course outline. The course outline is available at www.uwosh.edu/ccdet/DHFS/lc/default.htm. Click on the Instructional Resources link under Course Search.

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How will agents find LTC Partnership training courses?

Agents will be able to locate courses approved for CE by selecting the Long-Term Care Partnership category on the Sircon Web site at www.sircon.com/wisconsin under Look up education courses/credits.

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Will OCI review previously approved CE courses to determine if they qualify as Long-Term Care Partnership courses?

Yes, OCI will review courses currently titled Long-Term Care Partnership and approved since October 2007. We will advise CE providers if these courses will satisfy some portion of the Long-Term Care Partnership training requirement.

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Do agents who sell long-term care policies that are not Partnership plans have to complete the training?

Yes. The law applies to any agent selling long-term care insurance.

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Does the requirement for training apply to nonresident agents?

Yes. It applies to any agent selling long-term care insurance in Wisconsin. Agents who completed long-term care partnership training after October 2007 need only take the 2 credit hours of Wisconsin-specific Medicaid training.

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Does the requirement for training apply for individual sales or would that also include intermediaries that sell group LTC?

The law applies to every individual licensed as an insurance intermediary who sells long-term care insurance coverage. This would include group long-term care insurance.

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If a life insurance policy contains a Long-Term Care Rider, are agents required to complete the long-term care insurance training?

If the long-term care rider meets the definition of life insurance long-term care coverage in s. Ins 3.46 (3) (d), Wis. Adm. Code.

"Life insurance-long-term care coverage" means coverage which:

  1. Provides coverage for convalescent or custodial care or care for a chronic condition or terminal illness; and
  2. Is included in a life insurance policy or an endorsement or rider to a life insurance policy.
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Do agents need to submit proof of completion of training to the OCI?

No. Insurers are responsible for verifying that their appointed agents received the training and for maintaining records regarding the training.

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When do agents have to complete the four-hour continuing training?

Residents must complete the initial eight-hour training and then complete the four-hour training concurrent with their next CE reporting period to remain compliant. Example: An individual with an expiration date of January 31, 2011, who completed the eight-hour requirement during 2010 must complete the four-hour ongoing training requirement during their next CE reporting period that begins February 1, 2011, and every two years thereafter.

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Will the four credit hours of ongoing long-term care insurance training need to include Wisconsin-specific Medicaid information?

Yes. Resident agents will need to complete one credit hour (50 minutes) of Wisconsin-specific Medicaid training using the training materials developed and made available by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The course reviewer will be checking any 4 credit hour courses filed for CE for this material.

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If a nonresident agent completes four hours of ongoing long-term care insurance training in another state will it satisfy the Wisconsin requirement?

Nonresident agents will need to complete one credit hour (50 minutes) of Wisconsin-specific Medicaid training using the training materials developed and made available by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The course reviewer will approve one credit hour courses filed for CE that satisfy this requirement.

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