Governor Ritter launches Own Your Future campaign

KUSA - The State of Colorado has partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help Coloradans with the long-term care planning process through the Own Your Future campaign.

The Own Your Future campaign encourages Coloradans ages 45 to 65 to start planning now for their future long-term care needs.

Colorado residents who purchase Long-Term Care Partnership insurance to have more of their assets protected if they later need the state Medicaid program to help pay for their long-term care.

With a Partnership policy, Medicaid applicants can protect one dollar of personal assets for every dollar that the Partnership Policy pays for them in LTC benefits. Likewise, at the death of a Medicaid client, Medicaid will disregard these same assets for estate recovery purposes.

The State of Colorado has partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Colorado's Medicaid program, the Divsion of Insurance, and long-term care providers for the Long Term Care Partnership.

The week of July 13, 2009, approximately 800,000 Coloradans ages 45 to 65 will be receiving a letter from Governor Ritter about the Own Your Future campaign. The letter will include information about how to order a FREE planning kit.

• The planning kits are designed to help Coloradans make smart, safe decisions about long-term care.

• Colorado will also be holding upcoming regional forums to answer questions about long-term care. At these forums, Coloradans can learn about local resources to help meet their future long-term care needs.

• Visit www.OwnYourFutureColorado.org for more information about long-term care, to order a FREE planning kit online and to find out about upcoming forums. You can also order a FREE planning kit via phone by calling 1-866-PLAN-LTC.