Washington, DC - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has signed a contract with John Hancock Life and Health Insurance Company to provide insurance for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program's second 7-year contract term. John Hancock has been a 50 percent joint Program insurer since the Program's 2002 inception.

"The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program is an important benefit that helps enrollees pay for long term care costs that are not covered by health insurance, which can be emotionally and financially devastating for their entire family," said OPM Director John Berry. "It is the Federal Government's way to partner with Federal employees to help them and their families plan for the years when they may need assistance with daily activities."

The new contract includes new benefit options with increased home health care reimbursement, new benefit periods and higher daily benefit amounts, and increased payment limits on informal care provided by family members.

Premium rates for current enrollees with automatic compound inflation (ACI) protection will increase between 5 percent and 25 percent. The program has not had an increase in the last seven years and another increase is not expected until 2016. There is no premium increase for enrollees with Future Purchase Option.

John Hancock will provide a decision period for current enrollees before any premium increases take effect. They can choose from personalized options that include remaining with their current benefit structure, keeping their current premiums substantially the same by making changes to their benefits, or taking advantage of a one-time opportunity to switch to the new benefit structure without underwriting.

This increase will be the first since the Program began seven years ago, and is consistent with increases in other public sector long term care insurance programs since 2002.

Long Term Care Partners will remain as the Program administrator.

The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program allows most federal and United States Postal Service employees and retirees, active and retired members of the uniformed services, and qualified relatives to apply for the insurance coverage, and it offers flexible benefit options to meet the diverse needs of the federal family. Services covered include: formal and informal care at home, adult day care, assisted living facility care, hospice care and nursing home care. Currently 224,000 people are enrolled in the Program.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.