CareQuest Announces Long-Term Care Agent Certification is Extremely Important - but Will End up Being 'Under' Regulated Unless Insurance Professionals Make the First Move.

MADISON, Wis. -- The National Underwriter's LTC-Wire, a subscriber based on-line newsletter, reported the results of its recent poll: "All states should require agents to be certified to sell LTC insurance."

67% of respondents said, "Definitely...states should require agents to be certified to sell LTC insurance."

Not so fast: 22% of the respondents said, "Each State should decide for itself." Six percent said, "Never require Certification."

Robert Pearson, President of CareQuest University said, "Mandatory agent certification programs are a good idea considering the complexity and importance of the LTC issue. But like regulated initiatives of the past, this certification will undoubtedly end up being CE Credit driven resulting in a day or two narrated slide show with no meaningful value, use, or professional benefit. It would be more of the same insurance 'continuing-ed' stuff, allowing just about anyone with an overhead projector or hand-outs to get CE provider approval."

CareQuest University offers a graduate level, professional certification programs focusing on the Long Term Care Continuum, Disability and Worksite Solutions.

"We need better education, not more simple 'continuing-ed' programs," said Robert Pearson, LTCGS. "Long-Term Care Certification should be a high-level priority and the course of study should be on the same professional, in-depth level as CFP, CLU, CEBS, etc. Otherwise, you end up with nothing of real value to offer your clients, your industry, your career, nor your income."

Pointing to statistics that show agents who achieve professional certification on the level of CLU earn an average of 40% more money than their counter parts Pearson said, "Those who take the extra step are rewarded in the Marketplace. People and employers have long recognized truly educated professionals, and are always put off by peddlers. We must always think cautiously about more state regulation - unless the certification programs the states approve are truly comprehensive - not just weekend CE courses."

In addition to educating the public - and employers - about the need to plan for long-term care and disability, Pearson said it should be an obligation on the part of the educated professionals and the providers of the education to promote Certified Long-Term Care Group Specialists - so consumers and employers can tell the difference - not just the state.

"The Marketplace does an excellent job of weeding out those who know from those who don't," he said. "It's a big problem, a sophisticated product and burgeoning market that has agents, worksite brokers, even lawyers and CPAs all vying for this business. Anyone who doesn't put forth the extra effort and investment to become certified on their own will not be in the market long. They just won't be able to compete...period!"

CareQuest University is offering a special tuition of $1,695 to become LTCGS certified. Compared to other high-level, professional certifications costing more than $5,000, it's a real bargain for those who take action now, Pearson added. Students study for LTCGS certification at their own pace, at their own place, anytime - without the need to travel or attend campus sessions. "Not only do our students and certified graduates get the best education in the LTC & Disability field, but they will also get direct access to the largest proprietary care resource database with the most advanced care planning and worksite applications available today."

That's the message CareQuest University is bringing this week, August 3 -5, 2004, to the national 2004 Benefits Marketing Mania Conference in Las Vegas Nevada, sponsored by the Benefits Marketing Association.

To find out more about CareQuest University and to enroll for the special tuition fee, go to www.CareQuestU.org or www.CareQuest.com/CQU/reg1.cfm You can also call 800-327-7138 or fax [phone] or email [e-mail] or write to and request a Student Enrollment Guide by simply providing your name, mailing address and phone number.