Free Senior and Special Needs Study Guide
Arkansas Life, Accident & Health exam — Senior and Special Needs.
The federal programs (Medicare Parts A through D, Medigap plan standardization, Medicaid) are covered in the national Senior and Special Needs guide. Arkansas adds rules for Medicare supplement policies in Rule 27 and long-term care insurance in Rule 13.
Federal backdrop in brief
- Medicare serves people 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities.
- Medigap policies fill gaps in Original Medicare.
- Medicaid is needs-based and pays for custodial long-term care for people who qualify. Asset transfers for less than fair value in the 60 months before applying can trigger a penalty period.
Medicare supplement (Rule 27)
- Open enrollment. For six months, starting with the first month a person is 65 or older and enrolled in Part B, an issuer may not deny coverage or vary the price based on health status.
- Under-65 disabled beneficiaries. Issuers must make at least one standardized plan available, without health underwriting, during the six months after the person first enrolls in Part B (Rule 27, Section 25).
- Free look. The policy must say it may be returned within 30 days of delivery for a premium refund.
- Medicare changes. When Medicare benefits change, issuers notify policyholders of the resulting policy changes no later than 30 days before the annual effective date.
Long-term care insurance (Rule 13)
- Activities of daily living. The policy's definition must include at least bathing, continence, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring.
- Shopper's guide. In an agent solicitation, the LTC shopper's guide must be delivered before the application is presented.
- Free look. The applicant may return the policy within 30 days for a refund of premium.
- Unintentional lapse.
- The applicant may name at least one other person to receive notice of lapse for nonpayment.
- The policy can't lapse until notice goes to the insured and the designee at least 30 days before the lapse date.
- That notice can't be sent until the premium has been unpaid for 30 days.
- Producer training. A one-time course of at least 8 hours, then at least 4 hours every 24 months.
Key numbers
| Rule | Arkansas figure |
|---|---|
| Medigap open enrollment | 6 months from the month of 65 + Part B |
| Medigap free look | 30 days |
| Notice of Medicare-driven changes | 30 days before the annual effective date |
| LTC free look | 30 days |
| LTC lapse notice | At least 30 days before lapse |
| LTC training | 8 hours once, then 4 hours every 24 months |
Common exam traps
- The LTC shopper's guide comes before the application.
- The required ADL list has six activities. Learn all six.
- Disabled Medicare beneficiaries under 65 must be offered at least one standardized plan.
- The free look for Medigap and LTC is 30 days.
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Practice questions are study aids generated for exam preparation and are not actual exam questions. Content is provided for educational purposes and is not legal advice. Verify current statutes, rules, and exam specifications with the Insurance Department and the exam administrator before relying on it.
