New look for LTC products.

Several companies have announced new plans for their long-term-care insurance businesses. The John Hancock Long Term Care Insurance business unit has announced it will offer later this year a Manulife-branded niche LTC insurance product designed for sale by agents who market group health insurance. John Hancock and Manulife merged in 2004.

Penn Treaty American Corp. in July launched Simple LTC Solution, an alternative to the industry's complex products, it is intended to cover the basics of home and facility-care services and is designed to be less expensive than most LTC plans.

Mutual of Omaha has entered into an exclusive arrangement with Goldencare USA and American Independent Marketing to market a LTC insurance product to be created and underwritten by affiliate United of Omaha Life Insurance Co. Goldencare and American Independent Marketing have more than $500 million of annualized LTC premium written through their network of 20,000 independent agents.