Testimonials
The following are true stories and testimonials, and not paid endorsements:
“Honey:
I want to thank you for being so patient with me while carefully explaining the value and importance of the Genworth policy I currently hold. Also, thank you for your generosity. I am moving forward with the recommendations you have made concerning my daughter. Again, thank you for sharing your expertise!”
Arne L, Alvin TX, June, 2024
“Thank you so much, Honey, for taking the time to revisit our ancient LTC policies and the go over the benefits included in them with me. As my husband and I we begin our journey into the unknown realm of memory impairment and changing lifestyle and environment, I was hoping the information you could give me would quell the stress of uncertainty. It did just that and more. I feel as if a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The financial burden that so many must endure as they face the winding road of aging will not be a factor for us…and that gives me great peace of mind. We are so blessed to have been and continue to be associated with your practice. – Very sincerely, Nancy C.” – Houston,TX, May 2023
“We love the lady that was finally agreed on to stay with us full-time. As far as I know, Amada is working out OK. They send the invoices Genworth pays me…. I would advise anyone who is getting a caregiver for the first time to give themselves about six weeks to get used to it. Because it is a very strange experience to have someone in your house, but it has made a huge difference in my sanity and Herb’s sanity to. Because when I feel good, he feels better.” –Arlis in Houston, May, 2023
“Honey, Greetings – and most sincere thanks from a friend of many, many years ago in Houston. Hoping that you receive this, I am remembering back to the days when I had a flower shop here in southwest Houston and you suggested I purchase a Long Term Care insurance policy – which I did. Well, that has more than paid off – – in ways I never expected. As it turns out. This past December I was admitted to a long term care facility here in Houston with some minor “issues of aging”. The administration of course asked if I had a long term care policy – which of course I do – thanks to your foresight.
Very long story short, went to the mailbox last Friday and found a check payable to me from Continental General Insurance Co in the amount of $21,000.00 reimbursing me for 2.5 months of long term care insurance premiums – and advising me that as long as I am resident here at the long term care facility, I will receive a reimbursement of slightly over $300.00 per day towards the cost of my stay here – for the remainder of my life as long as I am resident here!
I had absolutely no idea that I would receive this – and am obviously grateful to you!
Love following you and Jim on Facebook – and, once again, most sincere thanks!
Jean K”, Houston, TX, April 2023
“BTW, my sister-in-law, Catherine S— passed away. She was one of your LTC clients. That policy was a godsend because she was in Memory Care for the last 4 years.” – K.S, Houston, TX, April 2023
“Thank you for helping us navigate this journey, Honey. Best wishes to you and your loved ones,”
David M, Mt.Vernon, WA, July 2022
“Dear Honey, Thank you for reviewing my parent’s “dinosaur” LTC policy! You aren’t the selling agent, but I literally had no one else to turn to for help. You also advised me to hire an elder care advisor and I reached out on the website you suggested “aginglifecare.org” and found a local advisor. My siblings and I scheduled a meeting with her and our parents. Now we are on a path to hiring caregivers for them. Getting old isn’t for sissies, but with the right help, it’s easier. You are a wealth of information and my family and I thank you.” Arlis Miles and Family, Houston, TX, May 2022
“Dear Honey, We are doing very well in the company of children and grandchildren here in Nashville. We have begun collecting from the Allianz LTCI policy you sold us about 20 years ago. We no longer need to pay our LTCI premiums. Wade’s Parkinson’s has progressed, he no longer walks. We are very grateful we purchased LTCI from you!”, Mert A, Nashville, TN, March 2022
“Honey, we have filed a claim and home care has been happening for five weeks now. Life Secure has been very helpful in covering the cost of the care I provided before we hired Amada. We no longer have to pay premiums! They started the waiting period from Claire’s hospitalization in July 2021. Thank you!” Bill H, Houston, TX, March 2022
“Hi Honey, Thank you for your time today! Really appreciate your patience throughout this application process. I have sent the signed delivery documents from my scanner to your email. Please check and confirm. Meanwhile, I will drop off the check to mail today. Thanks!” Erica L, Palo Alto, CA, February 2022
“Hi Honey, Bob and I would like to express our sincere thanks for all the guidance and support you have given to guide us in making an educated and informed decision in choosing what LTC insurance would meet our needs best. You were extremely knowledgeable and able to not only explain all the terms and coverage included but also able to answer any questions we had in detail. Your communication was excellent and your responded to us in a very timely fashion. We appreciated all of the assistance in how to fill our the paperwork , copies to keep and who to inform in our circle that we had obtained the policy. Your availability through out this whole process and willingness to be available to us for future assistance gave and gives us peace of mind. We would highly recommend your services to any friends or family interested in obtaining LTCI in a heartbeat. High quality service is a rarity these days and we were blessed to have chosen you to lead us in this endeavor.
Thanks for your excellent service and sharing your knowledge and ability with us. Sincerely, Lori & Bob Frailer”, York, PA, January 2022
“Dear Honey, Just wanted to let you know that we made good progress this week. They are sending a current Statement of Benefits, but they said the current benefit is $200 day (less than our quick estimate). They said it takes 4-6 weeks to process a claim, but they pay retroactively if the claim is approved. They verified the indemnity feature of the policy. We secured a good 1 bd assisted living unit in her current community (Village on the Park Steeplechase). Cost for private 1 bedroom/530 sf assisted living unit is $4,450/mo for rent and meals. Does not include assisted living services which will range from $500 to $1,800/mo – depending on their assessment & their recommend assistance plan. I was surprised at the cost. Will try to negotiate a few things with them tomorrow (Monday). Village on the Park is meeting with Mom tomorrow to make their assessment. My wife and my sister will be with her.
I think we’re on our way to getting Mom where she needs to be. Let us know if you have any other pointers! Mom told me to tell you how grateful she was for your help last week and for what you did for her 20 years ago when you arranged this policy. Thank you,”
Lee C, Houston, TX, January 2022
“Hi Phyllis and Honey, I just want to say thank you to Honey for her time today. I have to say, through Suze Orman and her team of experts ( including you) it is a nice community of people helping people and I so appreciate that Honey took the time to review my LTC policy. Honey thank you for explaining my benefits and what my LTC looks like in the future. And I am happy you like the policy :). I just wanted to thank you and please let Suze Orman know I thank her for recommending your services”. Sue H, October, 2021
“Hi Honey, I’d like to comment on our recent zoom call of August 20. You completely understood and sympathized with my particular situation with Cal Pers. I greatly appreciate your insight and advice regarding my long term care policy. Honey, I won’t hesitate to send referrals your way. Thank you!”Joyce Sagehorn, CA, August 2021
“Dear Honey, Again, Thanks a lot for your excellent work! I am glad I choose to trust Suze and got to be connected with you! We are deeply touched by the level of your patience with our detailed questions; the willingness of you to spend time making sure I do everything needed in order to get the best rate; the fact you want to go over the policy in detail even though we thought your job was done; your excellent knowledge in the fields of long term care insurance and the integrity you have shown during this whole process. I am grateful! I am looking forward to talking to you soon.” Yan, MD May 2021
“Dear Honey, Thanks for sharing the great news! You have done such a good job holding our hands along the way! It’s been a privilege working with you! I am grateful!” Yan, MD, May 2021
“Dear Honey, Thank you so much for taking many hours of your time holding our hands and supporting us on this journey of purchasing a LTC that best fit our need. Along the way, I have not only deepened my knowledge of LTC but also started to look at aging and the need for an elder with new perspectives. It provided reassurance and peace of mind whenever I am thinking about the future when we are getting old. That was really meaningful to me. Gratefully, Yan”, MD, November 2020
From www.gotltci.com: “I told Honey at our first Zoom meeting that I wanted to augment the LTC policy I had, and that I didn’t want to pay more than $2000 in annual premium. The next day she emailed me LTC premium comparisons from four different companies. She suggested the Mutual of Omaha quote was the best value. We Zoomed again, and she showed me several illustrations within Mutual of Omaha, all with annual premiums of $2000. I chose the one with $5000 MMB and no inflation protection. I could have gone with the more traditional plan offering $3000 MMB and 3% compound interest but Honey showed me a chart demonstrating that my $5000/month MMB would pay out more than the other for the next 18 years, and in the meantime, it would pay out a lot more. By paying the premium annually I can save 5% or so, and I save even more by paying from my HSA.
The application and underwriting processes were long, complicated and difficult. Just sayin’. And there was the small snafu that I have arthritis in my left knee. What would I have done without Honey? Her emails, phone calls, thank you note, the Bit-o-Honey candy she included when I finally got my policy. She is definitely the Queen. Aside from “competent”, the best word to describe her is “sweet”. Her approach really made a difference, so full of truth and fairness. Thank you, Honey, for my new policy, and for your friendship!” Georgia G, Ann Arbor, MI, September 2020
“Dear Honey, my wife has limited mobility, unable to bath etc. and is limited to being able to walk in our Senior living apartment. She is now dealing with memory issues and seeing a neurologist that deals only with memory problems. Between our wonderful home health person and myself we are able to maintain a reasonable home life. At this time we are using Home Health Care only three days a week.
Our LTC payments have been fairly current with no problems. We are being reviewed for approval to continue for the next year. Continental has updated statements from her cancer doctor and her general practitioner and a plan for service from Amada for the next 12 months. Talking with customer relations has been excellent and they have been wonderful to work with.” Joe B, Missouri City, TX, August 2020
“Good Morning. Thanks again for all your help. It was a pleasure working with you. Stay safe and healthy and enjoy the rest of the summer.” Christine, Pennsylvania, July 2020
Honey, thank you for advising us on long-term health care and the different advantages that you suggested. I cannot even begin to thank you enough for your advice on a long and lean policy. When you make these decisions, you hope you never have to use them. And admitting that you can’t care for someone that you love is a terrible decision to have to make. Dementia, physical disabilities, and heart problems weigh into this decision. Being free of insurance premiums for both of us is a blessing. And knowing that there is no end to coverage is reassuring because you never know how long you will need it. Our daughter Kate and her family have been such a help to us, and I will be living with them on Hilton Head Island. It is such a beautiful place, and our new home is just six minutes away from Bob at Village Cove. Thank you again for the help you provided. I hope you and your family are well. Fondly, Mary B, June 2020, Hilton Head, SC
From GotLTCI.com: Hi Mrs. Leveen,Very grateful for your insight and advice. Thank you for taking the time to discuss my particular situation. Nancy V, June 2020
From GotLTCI.com: I had my consultation with Honey Leveen this morning and wanted you to know how grateful I am! Honey reviewed my current LTC policy and helped to me to see that I have a good one. If I were the same age today that I was when I bought the policy, and in the same good health I am today, the annual premium would be more than 3x as much as I’m paying in my eighth year owning the policy. That made me feel a whole lot better! Not once did Honey try to sell me anything. That speaks volumes about her integrity as a long term care insurance advisor! Thank you so much for arranging this free consultation for me. I will definitely be recommending Got LTCi and Honey Leveen to anyone wanting to open a long term care policy. Gratefully, Pat April -2020
From www.GotLTCI.com: “I purchased Suze Orman’s Protection Portfolio. My most recent step has been to go through the Insurance Selector and check what types of insurance I need and to evaluate my current insurances. I saw that it was important for me to have Long Term Care insurance. I have even done some research on this in the past but have not followed through. I clicked the link to get more information and was quickly contacted by Honey Leveen. I was so pleased with this fast response.
Honey is so polite and helpful. She asked the necessary questions and then spent time researching what type of policy and what company would work best for me. Throughout this, she kept in close contact with me. We used phone conversations, email, and Zoom meetings all of which were helpful. She explained each step in the process. As in all businesses insurance has their own language and she made sure I understood all vocabulary and aspects of my policy. I feel that she found a policy that will help keep me out of a traditional nursing home (which is a concern of mine). Already, knowing I have this policy in place is giving me peace of mind. Honey also advised me to talk to my children about this policy and share with them its location. This will make it easier for my children and myself when it is needed.
On a personal note, Honey has such a genuinely caring nature. Throughout this process I have felt this. She really cares about getting clients the best possible policy for them. Her friendliness and willingness to answer my many questions made this process easy. I am happy that I was given her as my resource person. Something I have needed to do for quite some time turned out to be easy. I also feel confident that if I need Honey in the future she will be there for me. Many thanks to Suze Orman for making this service available and to Honey Leveen for her excellent work.” Robin, Utica, OH, April 2020
“Honey: As always, thank you for your guidance and understanding. You have always helped me to see the bigger picture and helped me stay on task with my long term care options. There is no one I trust more to guide me with critical health planning choices. Thank you so much!” Jennifer C, Houston, TX, April 2020
“Dear Honey, I am giving your name and number to a friend who has been incredibly impressed with the LTC plan you put together for Pierre. Also, I have referred Pierre’s sister and her husband to you, and I am certain you will be hearing from them. Pierre is doing fairly well, but it is time for me to have some relief. He is going into a facility on Monday to utilize the three weeks of respite care that we have each year on the Prudential LTC policy. All thanks to you, my brilliant and caring friend!” Janice A, Houston, TX, November
2019
“Thank you for answering all my questions about the policy. You have been very helpful through this whole process and I appreciate it. I have more peace of mind now that I have long term care insurance—especially since we do not have children. Thanks again for all your assistance.” Marian D, Willis, TX, August 2019
“During Hurricane Harvey, apparently unrelated to it, I started to get tingling in my hands. Within a month, I was paralyzed from the shoulders down. It was due to a previously undiagnosed narrowing of the spinal column-something I was born with; but had never been a problem before. In the months since, I have recovered much of what I lost, but I still require a daily attendant.
Also, fortunately, I have had long term care insurance since the 80s or early 90s. It totally covers the cost. As a psychologist then, I worked mostly with injured workers and came to see that, unlike with death, long-term disability leaves one unable to earn but still incurring sometimes very high debts. I know people who are paying $100,000. a year for care like I needed early on. For most of us, that is unsupportable.” Tom F, posted on LTC Queen Facebook Page
“Honey–I want to thank you for all of the support you have given me in initiating the LTC process for my husband. You approach the situation with deep skill and experience, with warmth and caring, along with passion and humanity. Knowing that I have your support in this complex process has given me confidence that with you I can do the best for me and Pierre.
I knew years ago when you first wrote our LTC policies that we had excellent policies that address the needs of this phase of life. But I did not realize how beautifully you designed those polices until now when I first have need of Pierre’s policy. You knew exactly what needed to be included and built policies that would suit our needs but be within our budget. What incredible expertise.
You may publish this quote and use my name. And if I may ever serve as a reference for you, it would be an honor.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank you.” Janice A., Houston, TX, January 2019
2018
“Dear Honey, I am SO glad I bought long-term care insurance from you all those years ago! My mother just died of dementia. Nobody in my family would talk about it until right before she passed away. I’m proactively researching and applying to clinical studies, but I have no kids, and I am SO relieved to know I’ll have help when I need it. Thanks again!” Beth M, Houston, TX, October 2018
“Hi Honey – Thank you so much for answering my call multiple times! Once a week another neighbor and I visit her husband and a close friend of mine who now reside in a Memory Care Unit. Every time I visit that Unit I am very thankful that you helped us obtain LTCi insurance. I hope you are doing well, Thanks!” Penny (& Jeff), Houston, TX, September 2018
“Dear Honey, I hope all is well with you. I just wanted to tell you how thankful I am that you sold me LTC coverage. I don’t need it yet but it gives me peace of mind that I have it. Have a great day.” Charlene A, Houston, TX, May 2018
“Dear Honey, Thank you for helping choose the best LTC insurance policy over 20 years ago. I will soon be 79. If I need assisted living, my LTC will take care of everything. This gives me great peace of mind, as does knowing my children will not have to stress about my welfare. I appreciate you still being there to answer my questions.” Gratefully, Sylvia Margolis, Frisco, TX
“Dear Honey, If you ever want someone to endorse you, please call on me. I am so grateful that you sold us that policy before Kit was ill. It made a difference. Thank you,” Page H, Sugar Land, TX, January 2018
“Hi Honey, One of the best days in my life was when you walked through my door and sold me my LTCi. That was almost 20 years ago. I never thought I’d have to use it. I will move to an assisted living facility shortly. Without my LTCi I could never afford it. I am grateful to you.” Nancy S, Houston, TX, January, 2018
“Dear Honey, Thank you for your guidance, patience, and support through the application process! I know I wasn’t one of your easier to place candidates! Sincerely” ~ Leona Barfield, Deer Park, TX, July 2017
“Hi Honey,
I am so glad we purchased our Kanawha policies many moons ago. We are still in great health and Lord willing, we will enjoy life and good health for many, many moons to come!Having cared for 3 family members with long-term illnesses, we know first hand the importance of an LTC policy. Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Stroke claimed the lives of our parents. I am glad we had the resources – spiritually, emotionally, and financially to help them. It was difficult. Only one of them had an LTC policy. My father died of cancer and mother was exhausted when he passed away. I purchased an LTC policy from John Alden (before I knew you) It was all I could afford and mother was 73 when I purchased it. It was a God-send for the last years of her life. You are selling an essential service and thank God you are the queen of LTC Insurance.” ~ N.N., Houston, TX, June 2017
“Dear Honey, we’ve known each other socially for over 25 years. Many years ago, you offered to give me education on long-term care insurance (LTCi), but I wasn’t interested. Three years ago, I asked you to show me LTCi coverage, but decided I still didn’t need it. Since then, I’ve seen many unprepared friends need LTC. Now, I know I need LTCi, but I am going to have difficulty affording and qualifying for it, due to my age and health.” ~ Leon K, Galveston, TX, June 2017
“Dear Honey, My mother bought LTCi from you when she was 75. All told, she paid approximately $25,000 in premiums before needing to collect from her policy. She has been collecting from her policy for about 8.3 years. I estimate she’s collected between $500,000 and $600,000 from from it! Mom has the financial resources to pay for her LTC expenses. Still, I think Mom accessed a higher caliber of LTC (she’s in a private room), sooner, and with less hesitancy than she might have without her LTC insurance. Mom was adamant and emphasized many times over that it was important to her not to cause conflict among us over money or the quality of care she received. She wanted all five of us siblings to live our lives without causing us avoidable financial stress, conflict or worry. She bought LTCi because she did not want to be a burden to any of us, emotionally or financially.” ~ Debbie K, Spicewood, TX, April 2017
“My mother’s long-term care (12 years with Alzheimer’s) ran over $10,000 per month! That’s over a million dollars 15 years ago. I can’t imagine what it would cost today! Luckily, she had the income stream to pay for it, but how many people are able to absorb such an expense? I thank you, Honey, every day, for the peace of mind we have with our long-term care insurance! Feel free to share my story with anyone you need to!” ~ Kathleen D, Houston, TX, April 2017.
From Facebook: “Honey Leveen, I want to publicly thank you for taking such great care of my LTC insurance needs. Having spent last week with my dad, I can see the dramatic differences between his inadequate coverage and mine. You really created a personalized solution that will serve my needs for years to come. xo”, Bonnie Karpay, Houston, TX, April 2017
“Happy Holidays to you and yours, Honey. Again I want to thank you for your very capable and caring help with my long term health care. My children appreciate it, too ! lol. Blessings, “ ~ Marjorie Lynn Ferrell, McAllen, TX, December 2016
Facebook comments: “<SHAMELESS PLUG> This past weekend I woke up to some cold, hard truths about whether going forward I can live alone or need a personal care facility. FORTUNATELY, my dear friend, Honey Leveen, encouraged me to get an LTCi (Long-Term Care Insurance) package several years ago. After a 20 day waiting period, I will have enough money available to me to nearly cover the cost of a good personal care home. I may or may not need it right now. As the pain is managed and I get stronger, that may not be necessary. The important thing is I HAVE A CHOICE. And the monthly cost has been affordable. I strongly encourage anyone who has been thinking about LTCi and lives in Texas to contact her. She is super knowledgeable and represents many different carriers so she has more choices available. And if you haven’t considered it, think about it and contact her. ~ Melinda Taylor, Austin, TX, December 2016
“Dear Honey, Happy Turkey Day! Was thinking of you a few days ago, since being such an old senior now. I feel more confident since I met you and got long-term care insurance. Thanks for your help. ~ Catherine Shaw, Houston, TX, November 2016.”
“Mom lived in a long-term care facility for four and a half years. Her LTCi paid out $5,100/month, or approximately $275,000 in total. Without her LTCi policy, I think Mom would not have lived as long as she did. Mom’s LTCi made a big difference in my life, too. It enabled me to continue having time for my life and my grandchildren, without worrying as much about Mom’s welfare. I want to thank you for selling Mom her LTCi and for being service-oriented and accountable to us for all these years. My husband and I own LTCi. We believe many more people should. We get considerable peace of mind knowing our LTCi will give us a safer, more secure retirement.” ~ Brenda Bondy, Houston, TX
“I’m so grateful to you for helping us with this. You are fantastic and I have recommended you to several people. I appreciate your knowledge and passion for this particular area of insurance and for what it can mean to families. I have a call in to my parents’ policy to send me the schedule sheet so I can better understand their policy. My mother – and maybe both my parents – are going to need help within the next few months or so, I suspect. Thanks again. You’re the best.” ~ Jill and Nishta, Pearland, TX, August 2016
“Thanks for your knowledge and helpfulness in helping us get our LTC insurance. Having recently been around aging parents, aging relatives, friends dealing with caring for aging loved ones, we realize the importance of an LTC policy as we age. While its not a pleasant topic, but if a person is blessed enough to live a long life, then aging will be an issue. If long-term care is ever needed, it isn’t a problem we want to drop on our family. We are thankful we found you because of your knowledge, consideration and attention to details. We feel confident that we made the right decision for us and in using you as our agent for LTC insurance. While LTC insurance may not be something everyone wants, we believe everyone should at least talk to you so they know what they are missing if they opt not to have LTC insurance. Thanks again — we are very pleased in our decision. You are so great to work with.” ~ Karen and Louis Prunes, Pasadena, TX, June 2016
“In 1999 you sold me my long-term care insurance (LTCi). At this point I am dealing with providing for my mother who does not own LTCi. What a nightmare. So many things are not in place and are now requiring a lot of work that would not have been necessary if she had been more cooperative when she was younger. Because she does not have LTCi, her home and savings she thought she was leaving as an inheritance will now be used to provide care for her. She did not even consider that dementia would be part of the picture. Nor were her thoughts that her medical insurance would cover things accurate. Fortunately for my children, I do have an excellent long term care policy and an agent who has always been there to help with questions or concerns. Because I was able to be proactive I will have the funds that I need to take care of me at such time that I am not able to take care of myself. My advice: Do get LTCi! Honey is definitely an agent that you can trust to help you get a good product. I’m very grateful that I was so lucky to connect with her and get the policy that now protects me.” ~ Barbara Hofmann
“Thanks for your timely emails, Honey, and for helping me choose my own LTCi policy. My sweet mother passed away a month ago and even though she and my daddy had a LTCi policy, it was one written in the 80’s and was only for nursing home situations. My sisters and I were grateful that Genworth, the company they had the policy with, recognized that having lived well past the ‘norm’ at 95, she needed extra help and they allowed her to use her policy to get 12 hour nightly care while she was in assisted living! So even though that wasn’t part of the original plan, it does pay to check and present your individual situation. We were so blessed to have our mother with us for so long and doubly blessed that a part of her care was covered by a policy written so long ago.” ~ Mary Colemon, Houston, TX, March 2016
“Thank you for caring enough to inform me about LTC many years ago, and helping me choose the best policy. My policy gives me security and peace of mind to know that my needs will be met, and that I don’t need to worry whether or not I will be a financial burden to my family. I have witnessed what happens to individuals and families who are unprepared and don’t own LTC. I am so happy I own LTC!” ~ Kathy Mooney, Missouri City, TX, January 2016
“Dear Honey, Buying LTCi from you 21 years ago was one of the best business decisions I’ve made. My LTCi gives me great peace of mind. I am now nearly 89 years old. Due to a degenerative health condition, I believe I will be collecting from my LTCi pretty soon.” ~ Nancy L, Houston, TX, November, 2015
“Larry and I are very grateful for your help in our decision related to the adjustments made in our long-term health care. This insurance is very important to us; however, navigating the information provided by the company in a letter, as well as talking to their customer service was not easy or completely clear. Your explanations and recommendations were absolutely what we needed for clarification and gave us confidence that we made the right decision for our lives. You have always been available to us and willing to help us understand this often confusing and complex industry. We are extremely happy you are still in business and hope that others have the opportunity to have you as their agent—you are the absolutely best.” ~ Becky and Larry Douglas, Richmond, TX
“Honey, buying LTCi was THE best insurance decision I have ever made. When my spinal cord injury occurred in 2013, I would not have been able to live safely without this policy. I am now in assisted living. It is the best of facilities. There is nothing wrong with my brain. I long for the mental stimulation available to me if I could live independently or even at home with help. I cannot live in such places for one reason: I am a fall risk. I lost my ability to balance due to Osteoporosis, the cause of my spinal cord injury. I don’t care how much money one has, paying for aids is expensive and a great way to go broke or not have anything to leave your children or anyone. When my mother came to live with me and she had not even a health insurance policy, I learned quickly what it costs to have home health care workers then later to pay for a long-term care facility. This is when I got your name from a friend. Many thanks, Honey” ~ Patty Fitzpatrick, LCSW
“Dear Honey – Mom bought her long-term care insurance (LTCi) policy in 1999. She paid in approximately $14,700 before her premiums stopped when she began to collect from her policy in 2006. That’s when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her doctors told her she’d live for three more years. Instead, she lived for 9 more years. I really think owning LTCi played a role in her increased lifespan. Mom was a self-made woman and had the money to pay for her own care, but she would have refused to spend her money on it! If she had not had LTCi, managing her care would have been so much more difficult for all of us. I know that my relationship with my mother and brothers would have been far more stressful. As it were, Mom declined to utilize her LTCi benefits fully for a number of years, before her failing health mandated more care. My mom and I were close, and I visited her often. I am grateful that the caregivers made it unnecessary for me to have to help my mom with intimate tasks, such as bathing and toilet assistance. Because of LTCi, we were able to maintain our mother-daughter relationship. In addition, since mom had devoted and competent caregivers, I did not feel my brothers and I had to be physically present all the time in order for Mom to remain safe in her home and to get the quality care she required over her lengthy illness. We are grateful to our mother for having the foresight to purchase LTCi that helped all of us over the 9 years Mom was ill, not only financially but emotionally. We each have heard from others who are navigating their parents’ senior years without having LTCi available as their health declines. How fortunate for the four of us that Mom took care of this very important issue a long time ago, of course not knowing she would be a recipient of the coverage in less than 7 years. Our conservative estimate from incomplete records indicate that Mom collected at least $142,000 from her LTCi policy.” ~ EQ, Houston, Texas, March 2015
“Honey, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for suggesting that I look into long-term care insurance, helping me figure out a way to get it paid off before I was 65, and guiding me generally into looking at this part of my life. I have such peace of mind, knowing that there will be money and help when I need it as I age and that the burden of care will not be on my children. This culture is so resistant to looking at end-of-life issues but I know from experience now that preparation really helps. You’re really good at what you do!” ~ Sue Barnum, Santa Fe, NM | May 2015
“Honey, we are terrifically grateful that you sold us long-term care insurance about ten years ago! Many of our friends and acquaintances have no such coverage. They are in their 70’s and ill. Thanks again.” ~ A Smith, Canyon Lake, TX
“Dear Honey, Thank you for selling us our long-term care (LTCi) policies almost 20 years ago. I am 85 years old now and collecting from my policy. When we talked a year ago, you could tell I needed help with my activities of daily living (ADL’s). You urged me to start collecting from my policy. I refused to take your advice. I guess I just wasn’t willing to admit I needed help. I thought accepting help would take away my independence. It turns out the opposite was true: I have gained independence by accepting the extra help my LTCi pays for. This past year, struggling without the extra help my LTCi provides, was both difficult and depressing. It was also a burden to Tony, who had to transport me everywhere, did all the housework, and assisted me with walking, bathing and dressing. I was finally willing to admit I needed help. My policy is now paying for a caregiver four days a week, that’s all I need for the time being. She helps me with my ADL’s. She also does the laundry and other housework, and drives me to my bridge game and other appointments. I like her a lot. She is good company; we have become friends. I am much happier now and am also very glad Tony has the respite he deserves. LTCi has made a huge difference in our lives. I am sharing my story because I want others to know how very important it is to own LTCi.” ~ Susie R., Houston, TX, November, 2014
“Our family is very grateful our parents own long-term care insurance (LTCi). They purchased their LTCi from you in 2003. Without their LTCi it would not be economically possible for my parents to live in a good assisted living facility. Mom is the one currently needing care. Her LTCi has alleviated much of Dad’s stress and given him huge respite. Now he can enjoy being with Mom, rather than having to be her sole caregiver.” ~ KD, Houston, TX, October 2014
“Dear Honey, Thank you for my birthday card. I want to tell you how grateful I am you sold me my LTCi policy many years ago. My LTCi policy is now paying out beautifully and amply for caregivers. This is allowing me to remain safely at home.” ~ SD, Houston, TX, August 2014
“Dear Honey, I enjoy your newsletter. You communicated w/me a few years back and looked over our policies when the policy rate increase was taking place. I wish you were our agent!! Have a friend now using his policy for payment in a nursing home for his wife on hospice. Referring you to our children and hope they eventually will purchase policy.” ~ AB, Grand Prairie, TX, August 2014
“Hi, Honey, I always enjoy your newsletters and am so amazed at all you do. I wish I had your energy. I am assuming that nothing has changed in my paid up (thank goodness) policy. I feel I was blessed to get it at such a reasonable price. It amazes me that people hesitate on such necessary coverage. I talk to everyone and tell them I have the best person to talk to. Thank you for all you do!” ~ LW, Missouri City, TX, August 2014
“You sold my wife and I LTCi many years ago, we are grateful to you for this. Friends of ours almost bought LTCi from you but they decided against it. I believe they regret this decision, both are now in declining health. After much encouragement from me, my sister bought a policy from you. Thank goodness she did. She has been collecting from her LTCi for about 3 years now. I foresee her needing to continue to collect from her policy for several more years. My sister lives at one of Houston’s nicer assisted living facilities, thanks to her policy. Her LTCi pays the majority of her expenses there. Although my sister has funds, they are not unlimited. LTCi ownership has taken away a lot of pressure for her, and her children.” ~ R.S., Houston, TX, May, 2014
“Thanks for your able, competent assistance with my decision to re-apply for long-term care insurance (LTCi). Unfortunately, my wife is not able to get it. I want to tell my story in hopes that it will help at least one person who reads it. Over 15 years ago, when my wife and I were still in our 40’s (I am 65 now), we were solicited to buy LTCi. The idea of owning LTCi sounded smart. We met with an agent and purchased policies, at a total cost of about $200/month. You told me that in those days, when we were those ages, a combined $200/month premium bought quite a deluxe, loaded policy. Only about a year after we purchased our policies, money became tight, and/or we lacked a mature vision of what could happen to our health 15 years in the future. I honestly can’t remember which factor motivated us more. We dropped our LTCi. My wife has now been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer ’s disease. She is currently independent enough to stay home alone, but it’s evident she will need a lot of care, at great cost. It goes without saying that I regret giving up our original LTCi policies.” ~ B.J., Alvin, TX
“Dear Honey – I work in the healthcare industry and know how essential owning long-term care (LTC) insurance is. I procrastinated on my purchase of LTC insurance longer than I should have because the process of choosing the right policy seemed overwhelming and complicated. When we met, I knew I could trust you. You guided me through my LTC learning process and made choosing the right policy an easy and pleasant experience.” ~ Donna M, Kingwood, TX, February, 2014
“Honey – Thank you for being such a strong supporter and advocate on my behalf with Genworth. It is so very appreciated! I look forward to growing old together 🙂 Warm regards,” – Teresa, Houston, TX, October, 2013
“Honey – Whenever I need a clarification regarding our “LTC” you are “Johnny on the spot” responding in a very prompt manner, reassuring me, informing me in a concise way, patient with me as I massage the understanding in my own words. Your knowledge is current and expressed with confidence, offered in your conscientious and upbeat personality. It is a pleasure to work with you. Thank you for your expertise.” ~ Nancy Damon, Houston, TX, August, 2013
“I’ve had LTC insurance for some time now. And, before I remarried I purchased a policy for my wife, while still maintaining a policy for my first wife as I know she can’t afford to do so…So far, so good. I saw the need for it first hand with my mother who struggled with Alzheimer’s in the last years of her life. When we finally accessed her LTCi policy the company was kind enough to allow us to continue using her long-time companions at home – cheaper for the company and far better care for our mother. It was a real blessing. Those two women lived with our mother for the last 8 years of her life, first in our mother’s home and eventually in my sister’s home.” ~ E.N., New York, NY, July, 2013
“Yay!! I feel SO much better now we own LTC insurance! Thank you so much for helping my husband and me with our LTCi applications. It just so happens that I’m working with a group of neurologists today and I just met w/an ALS patient & spouse who are looking at filing a claim w/their LTCi provider for in-home care. They are so grateful they have the coverage! Another woman I know is actually being paid personally to act as her hubby’s Alzheimer’s caregiver (they have a policy they got from his employer a long time ago when that option was available). She’s using some of the money to pay a respite caregiver a couple of days a week, saving the rest for future nursing facility expenses that won’t be fully covered by LTCi. More people/employers need this coverage….Keep up the good work!” ~ KL, Houston, TX, June, 2013
“Happy Holiday Season to you and yours as well. I believe my last contact with you was after I had received notice that the premiums on my LTC policy were to be increased. I came to discuss the wisdom of accepting reduction of features in order to avoid increased premiums. Your advice was,”If you can possibly make the increased premiums do not accept the reductions”. That turned out to be great advice. Not much later my wife went into the hospital with lower back pain that would require surgery. While in the hospital she fell and broke a hip. The last year of her life was spent in hospitals and nursing homes. This would have been an awful financial burden had it not been for the great LTC policy that you recommended and then advised me to keep unchanged when the premiums were increased. My policy is now paid up for life due to one of the features it included. Thank you so much.” ~ Floyd Carraway, Houston, TX, December 2012
“I have spent two sad, sad days working to put my Dad in a nursing home and get my mom into an assisted living facility. Not only is the emotional toll high, but the costs are astounding. Thanks to Honey, Charlie and I will not put our three sons through this. Think of your family’s future. Spend the money to set this up now to avoid leaving this with your kids. And to give yourself a better later life. This is hell on Mom.” Comments by Dayna Steele, from Honey Leveen’s Facebook page, December, 2012
“This is the BEST insurance policy I’ve ever purchased. THANK YOU!!! I know it’s now worth my weight in gold. I greatly appreciate your sending this and presenting it to us many years ago. Now, if only I never need it!! Hope all is going well with you. We are about to have grand child #8!! Life is great for us. We are happy and secure.” ~ Mickey, Houston, TX November, 2012
“Honey, I can’t thank you enough for walking me through this process…all of these processes! I knew when I met you that you were someone very special and I hope that we will remain friends beyond these transactions. You are such a cool person! Thanks for everything.” ~ Maureen, Houston, TX, June 2012
“Dear Honey,I want you to know how much you truly helped me go through my buying process. I have greater peace of mind now that I own LTC insurance. Please send me extra business cards for my friends!” ~ LH, Austin, TX, June 2012
“Please accept this belated note of thank you for your card and kind words on Esther’s passing. Thank you for always being there for her and giving her some peace of mind. ” ~ CS, Houston, TX, October 2011
“My father had the foresight to buy long-term care insurance policies many years ago. Both he and my mom collected their full four years’ worth of benefits, which covered a big part of their housing and healthcare expenses during that time.” ~ M L, Houston, TX, August, 2011
“We are very pleased and thank you for your incredible service helping us get our insurance. This is giving us peace of mind, especially since we have no kids.” ~ Linda P, Houston, TX, August, 2011
“My aunt, who is 90, has had a LTC policy for many years. She has collected from it periodically during various convalescences. It has made a huge difference in the quality of her life. Her husband never applied for Veteran’s Benefits from service in WWII, or had a LTC policy. He was ill for several years before he passed and it became a devastating financial strain for them. I am now 58. Twenty years ago, when I was only 38, I tried to obtain LTC insurance but was unable to. At that time I was experiencing symptoms that eventually led to a diagnosis of FSHD, a type of Muscular Dystrophy. Because of my diagnosis, I am unable to obtain a LTC policy. And don’t expect that your medical insurance will provide an aide, even for a short time. I can assure you that it won’t happen. One never knows what the future will hold. We all expect that the worst will never happen, and we don’t think ahead in the aging process. I feel strongly that all Americans need to investigate and obtain LTC protection at as young an age as possible.” ~ D S, New York City, NY, July, 2011
“Before I bought my policy eight years ago, I was skeptical about whether LTC insurance could be relied on to come through when I needed it. I was also skeptical about agents, who didn’t respond adequately to my questions about LTC insurance. You responded intelligently and realistically and seemed personally committed to the product you were selling. Thanks for making it possible for me to buy LTC with minimal stress and pressure and maximum confidence – and for being accessible if I need you.” ~ M K, Houston, TX, July, 2011
“I’ve been collecting from my LTC insurance policy since January, 2011. It’s paying beautifully and even covers the mileage charges when my caregiver transports me. I love my caregivers. This policy is making a huge difference in the quality of my life, as well as my sense of security. I am very grateful to you for selling it to me in 1998 and for still being present to answer my questions and guide me through the claims process.” ~ Marienne J, Houston, TX, June, 2011
“Despite the fact that I had colon cancer in 2001, if I’d applied for long-term care insurance after my treatment for cancer ended and before 2005, I would have been accepted for long-term care insurance at ordinary rates. In 2005 I was treated for a health event that my doctors say needs and requires no further treatment. Long-term care insurance underwriters assess this condition as not completely resolved because a small, inoperable portion of the benign tumor remains. My health is excellent; I suffer no limitations and lead a very active and full life. Because of this situation, I have learned that only one long-term care insurance carrier will even consider my application, at much higher rates. I really wish I’d purchased LTCi before 2005.” ~ Julie, Houston, TX, May, 2011
“A lot of the decisions I’m having to make lately, especially about insurance (hello, Medicare!) are confusing, aggravating and time-devouring. But I’m happy that buying LTC insurance was not like that at all because I know Honey! Thanks, Honey, for your patience and clarity in answering my questions and for finding a great solution for me. Instead of trying to navigate through this issue on my own, I should have steered straight to you in the first place because where LTCi is concerned, you are the rock!” ~ Ann Derby, Sugar Land, TX
“I’m so glad I learned about long-term care insurance (LTCi) and got it when I did. Those 15 years just flew by and I never missed that $100 a month. I calculated this morning that I’ve probably paid in just under $20,000. That amount would probably not even cover the first 6 months of long term care without the insurance. Of course, just like all my other insurance, I hope I never use it. 🙂 But now I have it. What I really bought was the peace of mind that comes from knowing my loved ones won’t ever be burdened with my care . . . a small price. I sincerely appreciate your getting this information for me so promptly, and I will definitely refer anyone interested in LTC insurance to you. Thanks again for your great service through the years.” ~ JCK, Houston, TX
“When I entered the home care business, I discovered the enormous expense associated with care after accident or illness. I immediately took out long-term care insurance (LTCi) on myself, my husband and my mother. After five years, mother had a massive stroke. For the last 6 years, she has required total care costing approximately $4,000 per month. To date, her personal care has totaled roughly $288,000. Her insurance reimbursements, along with her social security checks essentially pay for all of her care. I cannot imagine what we would have done, or what type of facility she would be living in without the insurance reimbursement. My husband, who is a CPA, appropriately coined the phrase “Long Term Care is the only insurance that protects you if you LIVE”. ~ Nora Aden, RN, Houston, TX, July, 2010
“My mother bought long-term care insurance (LTCi) from you in 2003. In October 2008, she began collecting from her policy at the rate of about $4,000/month and will soon be collecting up to almost $5000/month. Since she began collecting, she is no longer required to make premium payments. She has now been on claim for over two years and has already collected more than $100,000 from her policy. In mother’s case, she has a lot of wealth. Her financial advisor told her she did not need to purchase long term care insurance (LTCi) because she had enough wealth to self-insure for her care. I am so glad she finally agreed to purchase it. I can sincerely attest that owning LTCi has made a world of difference—for the better—in how things have turned out for my family. Mom always admired and told us she wanted to live at The Forum retirement community. She has now lived in the assisted living area there for more than two years. I have four siblings. I feel the presence of mom’s LTCi policy made mom’s access to fine assisted living a given. It eliminated any family controversy as to what level of care my mother should be given and is allowing us to hire special caregivers which she loves. I believe mom’s LTC policy has greatly minimized strife for my siblings and me. Without mom’s LTC policy, there would have been far more worry and stress. LTC insurance is a wise investment, even for affluent people. Mom made a priceless gift to us when she purchased it. Thanks for all the help you’ve given us over the years.” ~ Susan J, The Woodlands, TX October 2010
“As you predicted Kanawha has finally come through. AND WE THANK YOU PROFUSELY. I don’t know what we would do without your competent help. We received 5 checks: 990.00, 360.00, 360.00, 270.00 and 360.00. (we’re rich) WE CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH.” ~ A and I O, Houston, TX, September, 2010
“I just read a little on your blog about the myth and misinformation concerning long-term care insurance (LTCi). We know as the Ries family the importance and the good fortune of having it for my mother. Not to mention a very passionate advocate as our LTC representative.” ~ Joe & Elaine, Longview, TX, September, 2010
“I recognize the odds of needing long-term care are high. I can afford to pay the cost of this care if I need it, however I love my kids and would like to leave something for them if possible. My long-term care insurance will enable me to leave something for my kids and choose whatever type of care I want. I am a professional who works with the elderly and am aware of some of the difficulties some clients have recently had to face. These are the most uncertain times I can remember. I know people who had saved properly and invested conservatively, yet now their incomes are lower then projected while expenses have unfortunately increased. Sadly, they’ve had to downsize their lifestyle in order to accommodate these unexpected circumstances. Thanks for your expertise and patience helping me make a proper choice in a long-term care policy. Owning LTCi gives me great peace of mind.” ~ Carol B, Houston, TX, June 2010
“Thank you for still being available, ten years after our purchase of long-term care insurance (LTCi) coverage from you, and also for your prompt, competent, and successful intervention on our behalf to correct an error on the part of the insurance carrier.” ~ Bob Black, Bellaire, TX, January 2010
“Carl and I are so glad we made the decision to purchase LTCI almost 10 years ago! Buying LTCi definitely was one of our better business decisions.” ~ Kathy G, Houston, TX, October 2009
“Thanks, Honey, for keeping in contact. We are still in good health, and hoping to stay so. Having you nearby, is very reassuring – someone real who cares. Thanks for all you do for all of us.” ~ Helen and Larry Misiak, February, 2010
“We continue to recommend you and encourage everyone to purchase long term care. Buying it is one of the best financial decisions we ever made, especially now that we have family and friends in facilities and they are struggling financially because they did not.” ~ Carolyn, Missouri City, TX, December 2009
“I don’t know if you remember the details, but after Ed and I got our policies from you, we tried to get a policy for my 78 year old mother in Tennessee. Your friend Tom in Tennessee wrote the policy, we paid on it for 3-4 years. My mother, now 85 years old, has been in Assisted Living for nearly 3 years. We are so thankful for her LTC insurance. The benefits have been incredible!” ~ Paulette S, Sugar Land, TX, December 2009
“Buying long-term care insurance (LTCi) is the best thing Ginger and I have done for ourselves as well as our family. If anyone is in doubt tell them to call us.” ~ Phillip R. Pampolina, PRP Entertainment Company, Houston, TX
“Buying our long-term care insurance (LTCi) policies from you was the smartest healthcare decision we’ve ever made. I try to tell people about the need for this insurance but it’s difficult for them to see it, especially now. It gives us peace of mind knowing that if we need financial help for long term care we have the best there is, purchased from the best expert in the field there is.” ~ Mickey S, Houston, TX, September 2009
“The policy you sold my husband and me in 1998 is now paying for home health care that is making a big difference for me. I would probably not have elected to have a caregiver if I didn’t own long-term care insurance. I like my caregiver. She is making my life much easier and taking a big load off of my husband, as well. I feel like part of my independence and well-being is being restored. Perhaps the most important thing I can say about the extra help my LTC insurance is providing, is that it’s allowing me to be able to continue participating in many more social activities. Without it, I fear I would become more of a shut-in.” ~ Anne O, Houston, TX, December 2009
“We are so grateful Neal bought long-term care insurance (LTCi). He is now suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He needs help eating, dressing, bathing, and walking. The LTC policy you sold him is paying for his caregiver, Martha to help him while I’m at work. We’ve grown to love and trust her. She is the kindest soul. She and Neal “clicked”. She’s calm and efficient. I teach full-time. Because of Neal’s long-term care insurance, our daughter and I have been able to preserve much more of our everyday routine. We are still at Neal’s side much of the time, but having Martha’s additional help is a huge relief, and gives us a sense of normalcy. I shudder to imagine how different our lives would be if Neal hadn’t purchased LTC insurance. I have a friend whose husband also has ALS. He needs help 24 hours a day at this point. She has seen the comfortable and enjoyable retirement they’d envisioned vanish, due to the costs of care. When you explain to me that only a small minority of Americans who are age and income appropriate own long-term care insurance, I am pretty incredulous. If our story could influence just one person to buy LTCi, it is worth telling.” ~ Susan B, Houston, TX, October 2009
“Receiving the newsletter in the mail this week gave me much comfort knowing that after twelve years of ownership of my Long Term Care Insurance policy you are still the professional and caring person I thought you would be. Thank you for offering to review a claim in the event I need to file one. I have been blessed with good health and have never used my policy. It is very reassuring to know that you will be there for me in the event I need your help. Dedication and service of this caliber is unfortunately uncommon in this day and age. I also enjoyed your very impressive blog and web site. Keep up the good work and I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you in the future.” ~ Barbara Hoyt, Your client since 1997
“I’m so glad that we got the Long-Term Care Insurance when we did. Alan’s doctor felt something at his last visit and he is now being treated for thyroid cancer.” ~ Elaine, Houston, TX
“Thank you so much for your expert knowledge and service on my Long Term Care Insurance policy. You have been very thorough in your research as to my needs and the costs involved, but also fun to work with. The best of both worlds! I will definitely recommend you to all I come across who are interested in a Long Term Care policy.” ~ Deborah B. Yahner, Houston, TX
“We received the check yesterday, so this will make this Thanksgiving special in many ways. Tim and I talked with mother last night and she would like to express her appreciation and thanks for all the effort you have spent on her claim. She was quite relieved to say the least. From the Ries family to the Leveen’s we wish you a great Thanksgiving holiday and season. I will talk with you in the next week or so on our schedule to Houston for December so we may finalize our LTCi policy.” ~ William Ries
“Thanks for sending the newsletter. We continue to “hang in there.” Two years ago we sold our place in Athens and built behind our daughter’s house here in Boerne. We are very comfortable in our little house and know our kids are right at hand if we have any needs. We continue to do well health wise. We built our house with wheel chair wide doors, no bathtubs, no stairs or carpet, so we are pretty well set for those days when there may be special needs. It was good for our family that we already did a lot of downsizing – not that they won’t have a lot of accumulation to take care of some day!! Thanks for staying abreast of what is going on in long term care. We appreciate your guidance many years ago when we signed on.” ~ Meg and Robert Tucker
“I thank you so much for the help you gave me. I have received the letter from Penn Treaty and I am thrilled with their decision to pay me.” ~ Elaine Kirk, Sugar Land, TX
“I feel so good about my long-term care insurance (LTCi) policy. Buying LTCi was one of the smartest business decisions I’ve ever made. I so appreciate the help you gave me with selecting it. I’m a walking advertisement for you and for LTCi. Unfortunately, I’ve seen firsthand, what can happen if you need care and don’t own LTCi.” ~ Lily Clark, Houston, TX
“I met Honey Leveen about 8 years ago when she introduced me to the world of Long Term Care insurance. I am very fortunate to have met her. I can’t believe that in 8 long years, she not only remembers me but has kept up with my life. About 5 years ago, I had triple bypass heart surgery. When Honey found out about it, she was concerned because I had not used my LTC insurance for help. When the insurance had a rate change – after many years – Honey helped me make a decision on how to handle it. I know that she also helped a friend of mine with the same decision but one that was entirely different from my decision. I think this is one of Honey’s greatest strengths – that she always treats her clients as individuals and helps them according to their individual needs.” ~ Janet (Jan) Herbert
“You are the sweetest person! Thanks for the birthday card. These birthdays just keep coming, don’t they! I hope all is well with you and yours and your wonderful business. I do tell people about you and expect at some time, one or two will give you a call.” ~ Dianne White
“Several years ago my husband and I made the good decision (with your help), to purchase Long Term Health Care Insurance. At the time we were both in good health. Now, unfortunately, my husband is ill. I have been the caretaker for my husband until recently. After obtaining good advice from you I now have a part time caretaker from Professional Caretakers and she is a great help. I now realize I had waited too long to take advantage of the benefits offered by our policy. The benefits of our policy have given me physical, mental and financial relief.” ~ Helen Triplett
“I just wanted to thank you for sending Honey to us last evening. Melanie and I found her to be very knowledgeable and helpful and we really enjoyed the experience.” ~ Lee Finnin Houston, TX January 2007
“I’m very pleased with the LTCi policy you sold me. I’ve given it to my financial planner and trusted friend to review and they say it cannot be beat as far as price and value go. I’m really happy to have my LTCi protection in place. I thought you were a pleasure to work with and I won’t hesitate to refer others to you.”~ Susie Miller, Houston, TX
“Such a pleasure doing business with you . . . I felt so relieved and excited today . . . phew . . . finally did it!” ~ Andrea Gustafson, Katy, TX
“Receiving the newsletter in the mail this week gave me much comfort knowing that after twelve years of ownership of my LTCi policy my agent (Honey Leveen) is the professional and caring person I thought she would be. Thank you for offering to review a claim in the event I need to file one. I have been blessed with good health and have never used my policy. It is very reassuring to know that you will be there for me in the event I need your help. Dedication and service of this caliber is unfortunately uncommon in this day and age. I also enjoyed your very impressive blog and web site. Thanks for taking on Opra. I thank you for the invitation to attend the luncheon at the Forum but will be travelling to the Holy Land for a pilgrimage. Perhaps I can make the next event. Keep up the good work and I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you in the future.” ~ Barbara Hoyt
“I was delighted to finally meet you and secure the insurance I so desire. Thank you for the streamlined presentation and your professional expertise. I do wish for you to forward some information ASAP to my sister. I hope to distribute your name and contact information often.” ~ Candace Leibe, Houston, TX
“The CareTemps people have been an enormous help to us, allowing Fred to have a break to do errands or some work from home. It is great to know you are there to help with our questions. I really appreciate your going beyond the minimum – you have been a guide and friend through all this.” ~ Judy King
“I have been researching Long Term Care Insurance for the last 6 months or so, and today Rhonda and I found the answer to our needs. I wanted to share my contact and experience in case you may want to pursue Long Term Care insurance. You know better than me that Mom would collect from this kind of insurance now but her health will not allow it to be purchased. I guess because I have been in my clients homes and I have seen their different lives, it is worth the cost of the premiums to me to know that Rhonda, Tyler and Jess will not have to give me a bath or help me get thru the day. Once I knew I wanted the insurance the next question was WHEN do you buy-how long can you put it off? Well in my small office, 3 of the women have husbands in their 50’s and they have had strokes in the last 12 months. All 3 would qualify to receive LTCi insurance benefits if they had purchased it before their stroke. Now, they are out of luck. In my opinion the risk of waiting is not worth saving premium in the short run, but possibly not being able to purchase the insurance because of poor health. Since I knew I wanted the insurance and I knew I wanted it now, the next decision was who do I purchase the insurance from? Any insurance agent will sell you a policy but few understand it and will perform true comparison shopping for you. After going into depth with several other agents, I came across a specialist that sells nothing but LTC insurance. Honey Leveen has been selling this stuff for 16 years and is ranked as one of the top 100 agents nationwide in her field. The insurance is complicated with over a dozen add on’s and variables. I think you are best served by allowing a specialist like Honey help you. This is just my 2 cents worth, but since I am committed to the business of taking care of seniors I wanted to share the info. If you have any interest check out the data on her web site listed below or give Honey a call.” ~ Dean Hunt, Owner – Astrocare Home Healthcare
“I am so glad I purchased my LTCi policy from you in 1999! I suffered a serious heart attack and was extremely incapacitated by it. My convalescence has been lengthy. I now live in my own very nice apartment in an assisted living community. The LTCi policy you sold me is paying for nearly all of its cost. There is no doubt in my mind that without my LTCi policy my life would have turned out quite differently. I would not have wound up being able to access such a nice living arrangement. I would have wiped out all of my savings within a short time. I would have been far more dependent on my brother and sister-in-law.” ~ Al McAllister,The Woodlands, TX
“You are a joy to work with, and especially so as you listen to what your client is saying. And, your follow-through is detailed and impeccable. I don’t usually make such early comments, but felt it important that you know how we have appreciated your ongoing hard work on our behalf.” ~ Sandra Hamilton, Houston, TX
“I want to thank you for your very helpful advice – because you were the first person to suggest that I may not need comprehensive coverage. I was struggling to compare benefits, optional benefits, premiums and not finding people who were really knowledgeable. So I went to the www.LTCi-cLTCi.com/ web site and found your name there. You answered my plea for help quickly. Eliminating the home care/community care part of the benefits was a major step in moving forward in the process of selecting a company and a policy. It reduced the premium, and I realized I am not likely to use home care. You offered to help me even though you could not sell me a policy or profit monetarily. For that I am very grateful and thank you for being there when I needed LTCi guidance.”~ Sue Horne, Blue Springs, MO
“About 3 months ago I helped move my mother into an assisted living home. The move was very hard for her. Not only was she moving from her “home” but she is on a fixed income and assisted living is expensive. I made a decision then that I would purchase a long-term care insurance (LTCi) policy before my 50th birthday, while the rates were still affordable. I researched LTCi on the Internet and spoke with another agent, but once I met you, my search was over. You listened to me and showed me several options based on my personal circumstances. Your approach was straightforward, you explained things to me in an easy to understand manner and you took the time to answer all my questions. I am very happy and excited with my new LTCi policy. It gives me “peace of mind” in the years to follow and at a very affordable cost. I am also certain that if I have any questions or concerns in the future, you will remain accountable and accessible. ” ~ T.L. Montgomery, Richmond, TX
“I forgot to say thanks for lunch. We really enjoyed it and especially your good company. You are a great professional and very client oriented. You made the whole process seem easy.” ~ Butch, December 9, 2005
“I want to thank you for helping us obtain our long-term care insurance (LTCi). My wife and I were not a routine case. Complicated health issues caused us to have to apply to three different companies before both getting accepted. It took several months to get us placed. We feel that due to your background and experience, you knew which carriers would give us the best odds of getting accepted and you knew how to design our policies to give us maximum value. I am a detail-oriented person who enjoys researching things very thoroughly. I asked you many technical questions which you were able to answer in a straightforward manner, and with insight.” ~ W. Jeffrey Howard
“It’s been a pleasure to work with you. On a personal level, you are kind, thoughtful and positive. On a business level, you are exceptionally knowledgeable, efficient, and persistent at getting the job done. You went the extra mile for me even though you received no financial benefit for your efforts. If anyone asks me for a referral for assistance with long term care insurance (LTCi), I will be referring them to you. As for as I am concerned, you’re the best in the field.” ~ Nancy Limberger, Houston, TX
“Thank you for all the comfort, help, and support that you gave me in finalizing the insurance legalities of my late husband. Your accountability and close attention to detail helped me deal with the bureaucracy and red tape in a profoundly professional and successful way. Moreover, you held my hand along the terrifying journey down the long-term care selection path: a pathway most of us don’t want to consider traveling. Your knowledge and strength guided me through the confusing process and enabled me to make a confident decision that allowed me to move forward and focus on more pressing issues. I consider you one of Life’s Little Blessings: that makes All The Difference.” ~ Jackie D., Houston, TX
“I cannot imagine anyone being able to take your place as far as customer contact, caring about clients, so knowledgeable in your profession, as well as your determination in getting the message to others. As I told you on the telephone, during lunch the other day I remarked to a friend of mine that having the Long Term Care Policy took such a “load off my mind being concerned about the future”. To me, that is just one less worry because having this policy means I have done my part in trying to prepare for the future. This is one investment in which I will be delighted NOT to get a return on. It even allows me not to feel guilty about spending money on trips that before I had the policy I felt I should keep a “fund” for emergency illness. I consider the peace of mind well worth the investment. As an aside, during this same type discussion, a relative stated “well, I hate to invest in something in which I’m not sure I will get a return.” My reply was “well, would that be like when you buy life insurance, are you then disappointed or angry because you can’t die so that you can get your return on your investment?!!!!!” ~ Glenda Smith, Sugar Land, TX
“Although I bought my policy from you almost 6 years ago, I have been impressed with your accountability after the sale. You have always returned my calls promptly. The time you spent with me recently, reviewing how my policy would work should I need it, has been re-assuring to me as I undergo my medical treatments.” ~ Bettie Baty Houston, TX
“We appreciate your help in getting our LTCi set up. Meeting you at the WBEA convention at Reliant Center was the best thing for us that came out of that expo.” ~ Paulette S. Houston, TX
“We received the first check last week! They paid retroactively from Aug thru Dec. Of course we are so happy! Thanks for your help, and for selling us a great policy.” ~ Sylvia
“Thank you for your kindness and support. You do business the same way I do and as a result I will of course refer anyone I know to you and tell them what a pleasant experience I had working with you.” ~ Mary Anne
“Thanks for making my year. I have long term health insurance and I can sleep through the night, knowing that I am in good hands.” ~ K.S., Houston, TX
“Thanks for guiding Joann and I through the process of obtaining long-term care insurance (LTCi) for Joann. Her case was a difficult one because of some issues making it difficult for Joann to qualify for coverage. After about a year’s effort and four different applications, you found a carrier that accepted her.” ~ Kenneth N. Porier
“Thanks for your time last night, we appreciate your attention and honest approach. It is certainly something we needed to do and we are very comfortable with the decision we made.” ~ Gary Alden
“How good to finally meet you in person this morning. I appreciate your time and expertise in finding a reputable company who seemed willing to cover me with long term care insurance. I have been turned down before because of my particular health problems, and you found a company that will work with me. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me and with that company. I know that is why they agreed that I, and my husband, also, might be covered for a lower premium than all the others. Many of our peers are seeking long term care insurance, and if I speak with anyone that is looking, I certainly will recommend you.” ~ Janet Guillot
“You have been my long-term care insurance (LTCi) Agent for less than a year, and yet you have continued to look out for my best interest. Instead of accepting the available LTCi, you have tenaciously worked towards enhancing my coverage. Throughout this time you have been amiably responsive about my every concern. Thank you, and I look forward to working with you in the future.” ~ Portia Poindexter, Sugar Land, TX
“I’ve been an educator for 38 years and could not find an insurance person to teach us about LTCi in a way that made it easy to understand. Gherlaine and I did prior research on LTCi before we met you because we felt strongly that owning LTCi is the only satisfactory way for most people to prepare for the possibility of needing care. We were still unable go forward with purchasing it. The prior advisors we spoke with seemed to make understanding LTCi very complicated. Also the prices we saw prior to meeting you were all very high. You were able to give insight and make LTCi coverage relevant for us as you answered all of our questions. You explained things in easy to understand ways. You also understood our needs and concerns and designed a policy that not only will perform well should we need it, but that we can afford. With your assistance, when we finally did make our applications for LTCi we both felt a strong sense of confidence in what we were doing. We intend to encourage our friends to call you.” ~ Bob & Gherlaine Hofmann, Carnmine, TX
“Thanks for keeping in touch with me. You were so much help when I was looking for my Long-Term Care Insurance.”~ Mary J. Miller
“I have slept better every single night since I purchased my policy from you, knowing that I won’t have to call my children if I need care.” ~ Helen B. Lutes
“It was a big relief to have you in the picture when Mom needed care. When we called you, you were there for us. You gave us guidance and advice that made the whole process go very smoothly. The claim was paid promptly, and the policy performed exactly as you stated it would when you sold it to us.” ~ Marilyn Hanovich
“I’m real pleased that it’s been so easy to keep in touch with you after you sold me my policy. When I moved, you gave me your toll-free number. I’ve used it a few times to call you just to ask questions about my policy. You always return my calls promptly.” ~ Nadine Embry, Frisco, TX
“Thank you so much for helping me activate my father’s home health care policy with Travelers. You referred me to excellent care givers and I really appreciate it. It was such a stressful time and your calm, caring attitude made it much easier to deal with.” ~ Marilyn Domingue
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