Bankers Life & Casualty Long-Term Care Insurance Reviews

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About Bankers Life & Casualty Long-Term Care Insurance

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Bankers Life sells term, permanent and universal life insurance policies. Term life insurance covers policyholders for 5, 10 or 20 years, and the whole and universal policies provide coverage for life. Permanent policies automatically include individual riders. Customers must speak to a local representative for quotes and coverage options, then apply with that representative. The company does not let customers apply online.

Bankers Life & Casualty Long-Term Care Insurance Reviews

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    Page 3 Reviews 40 - 240
    Customer ServiceCoverageStaffBilling

    Reviewed Feb. 18, 2020

    Being the executor of my elderly aunt’s estate, I dealt with the Bankers Life Long Term Care (LTC) bureaucracy over two years. NOTHING was easy, from getting the policy she paid into for a long period turned on, to monthly payments to the LTC facility, to a litany of ongoing information requests from Bankers. But I never could have predicted the runarounds and blatant incompetence of Bankers in trying to receive final LTC payments.

    When my aunt passed, I contacted Bankers to finalize the policy and receive her final LTC payments. After providing the information requested to finalize the policy, I made ~16 phone calls to Bankers customer service (800-621-3724) over ~4 months. Each time Bankers representatives provided no new status or requested additional, conflicting, or duplicate information. Finally, I demanded a supervisor and after being on hold for 75 minutes was told Bankers required more information, contrary to previous calls where I was told they had all information needed. After providing this information again, I got the same runaround and after pressing the issue found the supervisor was at a Manila call center, did not know the Bankers Life location in America, and had no influence in resolving the claim other than notations in their system.

    At this time, I contacted the local Bankers agent who had helped get the LTC policy turned on. After telling the agent I was considering filing a Consumer Complaint with the State Insurance Board, the agent contacted his supervisor, who contacted the Main Bankers Life headquarters. Finally, a Bankers Life representative from the main office contacted me, and after briefing the agent on what I had been dealing with for ~ 6 months and providing previously submitted information, the claim was approved, and the final LTC payment received.

    From this experience it appears Bankers Life’s LTC business model is to make it so hard people (especially the elderly without an advocate) will get frustrated, worn down over the continued bureaucracy and conflicting information to understand what is required, and give up, thus getting Bankers out of paying the policy holders what they are entitled. I recommend others trying to get payment resolution from Bankers to avoid the customer service number and go directly to your local agent to avoid frustration and runarounds. Hopefully enough consumer complaints will change the current Bankers policies and procedures that hurt the elderly.

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    Customer ServiceContract & TermsStaff

    Reviewed Dec. 9, 2019

    My mom died in August 2019, and I have been dealing with these people since then. The local agent n Florida was never available when I called, but I was reassured for over 3 weeks that he would call me back within. 48 hours. Nope. Called the company, they sent a check to the estate of my dead mother, but since there is no account in that name, it was invalid. They told me to send the information with my name, and they would send it. They sent the same thing! Both times I had asked if they needed a death certificate, and they said no. The last time I called they said they needed one and a form needed to be filled out and notarized. I sent it in a month ago, still no answer. I called today and they said they have no record of her contract. These people are the absolute worst. They abuse people in crisis, and they do not give a rip about it.

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    Customer Service

    Reviewed Dec. 4, 2019

    I am working with Bankers Life (BL) as my mom's power of attorney, processing claims and reimbursements for approved home health care. Well. expect to have your claims REJECTED with canned verbiage as to why. I'm on month number 4. 4 claims placed with all the required documentation, and BL Rejects. Try calling customer service you say. I've phone in many times trying to get more reasoning than the canned form letter verbiage of what I'm doing wrong on the claims (likely nothing). Well BL customer service will be HAPPY to read you, verbatim, the language from their form letter with NO FURTHER detail no matter how many times you ask. Escalate to a supervisor you ask. Tried that too, nope no way can you get anyone other than the person who originally answered the phone.

    Avoid this company at all costs. Get refunds for all your premiums NOW, and look for a much better rated company. I'm a telecommunications executive in my late 40s. My mom, 82 yrs old. If my mom was trying to fill out forms and get a claim approved much less reimbursed, she'd be dead a decade and OUT all her premiums AND dead broke since BL won't ever reimburse you no way no how. Next stop is calling the local news station and get more spotlights on this company and its shady business practices.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed Nov. 18, 2019

    Their customer service is beyond awful. My father passed away 9/12/19 and the local agent cancelled his policy as of 9/1/19 even though a death certificate was provided. None of his medical bills between 9/1/19 and 9/12/19 are being paid by insurance that he has paid a monthly premium for for a very long time. I have been trying to get this resolved since learning of the cancellation. As of today, 11/18/19 it has yet been resolved. Every time I call (more than a dozen times), I get a different person with a different answer. They refuse to assign my case to one person. I have spoken to one manager who did nothing to help me. I have not received one phone call back or follow-up call back or any correspondence informing me that they are resolving the issue. I would never recommend this company to anyone.

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    Coverage

    Reviewed Aug. 2, 2019

    My 90-year-old mom has paid premiums for years on this policy and yet when needed, they have covered every possible exception to deny and delay any reimbursement! The first time I submitted a claim it was denied on the basis her in-home private caregiver was not certified through the state. Now she has been in a memory care facility, paying out of pocket for 96 days as of this date of 8/2/2019....which would be 96 days. However BL is denying 5 days in the hospital and subsequent 4 days in rehab. She still payed for all days at the facility, but BL denies paying citing they do not pay "bed reservation" days! So not only was she paying out of pocket for the facility, but also the rehab days at $170 per day! This is wrong. And I want to know what Federal or State agency will take complaints on this.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed July 29, 2019

    Both parents had and used long term care insurance to be reimbursed for independent caregivers. We briefly used a caregiver company suggested by the Bankers Life agent, Visiting Angels, that was unsatisfactory due to poorly managed and poor quality caregivers. IF not for me, their son, I believe they would not have been able to be reimbursed for their caregiver expenses as they would not have been able to deal with the extreme stalling tactics employed by Bankers Life.

    My story: It took 10+ phone calls talking to a different person each time, multiple letters containing requested documentation, extremely long turnaround times to get an answer, to start getting paid. Then some claims would be denied for various bogus reasons, such as my father signed the check to the caregiver, and your mother should have signed it, SERIOUSLY, this actually happened! Their standard answer when I asked how long it will it take until we see a check was, "Well, it takes 30 days from the time we approve the claim to send the check out". What they ALWAYS neglected to add was they didn't know how long it would take to approve the claim AND then it takes a week to put it in the mail, then it takes a few days to reach us.

    In other words, they can stall, and stall, and stall they did. After months of back and forth, literally hours on the phone and providing various written documentation, not to mention the extreme frustration I threatened to complain to our state insurance commissioner, magically, they started to be more helpful and we started to receive checks. Ultimately they put me with a 3rd party online caregiver hours reporting system that did work well. Why didn't they do this in the beginning?? Ultimately, we were reimbursed for our caregiver expenses but getting there was extremely difficult, to say the least. My parents would not have been able to navigate it.

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    Customer ServiceCoveragePriceStaff

    Reviewed March 18, 2019

    My father had three policies with Bankers Life. The first issues we had were with Convalescent Care. First they didn't want to honor the policy, until my father fought it. Then, later I had problems. It seemed they were deliberately trying to keep from paying, as they would not communicate with me and would not answer calls from me or the facility. They skipped out on paying several thousand dollars. Then I found out the agent gave me incorrect information that could have cost me several thousand dollars if the IRS had not been forgiving. Now I am trying to resolve another issue and was told it WOULD be resolved last Thursday, then last Friday, now I am being told it SHOULD be resolved this week, but they don't know when for sure. I asked why I was not told this. No answers. No offer of help. When I finally stated I would be contacting the BBB I was told they would have someone contact me. Been sitting by the phone waiting. Nothing. Lied to again.

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    Staff

    Reviewed Nov. 7, 2018

    PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT WASTE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY ON THIS COMPANY. It is heartbreaking that my father passed away with him thinking Bankers Life was taking care of everything. I had to lie to him that all was well to give him some peace of mind as he lay dying. He put so much faith in this ridiculous company and paid in tens of thousands to them to have a secure senior life for my mother and him. Take away point: as my East Texas father would say in that slow drawl; "You would do better to stuff your money up a hog's bottom than use Bankers Life". Thousands of dollars paid out of pocket for long term care for my parents. Always one more document needed and zero payout from Bankers Life. Always sent requested docs posthaste. They sell not LTC, but sadly, a false sense of security.

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    Customer ServiceCoverage

    Reviewed Sept. 6, 2018

    If you're looking for LTC insurance DO NOT CHOOSE BANKERS LIFE. If you're in the unfortunate position of either attempting to get BL to pay on a policy or acting for someone who has a policy GET AN ATTORNEY IMMEDIATELY. I hold my father's POA and have been representing him for 5 years and it takes monthly multiple calls to BL, monthly multiple resubmissions of documentation and frequent referrals to our attorney for BL to fulfill their policy agreements. Perhaps profitable for stockholders and CEO but appallingly poor service for policy holders.

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    Customer ServiceCoverage

    Reviewed April 16, 2018

    When submitting Whole Life policy information (application, policy, "congratulation" pay off letter) to Bankers Life & Casualty customer service 800-525-7662, they told me they have no record of existence. Just wanted to warn others that policies taken out on their newborns will most likely be "lost". Put your money in a savings account for them. Most children are not aware of (60+ years) existing policy OR paperwork will be lost on such policies. Ultimately this is what B&CL is counting on. Either way, policy will not be paid. Policy pay off letter signed by Frank ** at Bankers Life - Oct 1975.

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    Customer ServiceCoverageStaff

    Reviewed March 27, 2018

    My mother paid huge monthly premiums for many years, now she is dying and livening in a skilled nursing facility so I have been trying for 6 months to get them to pay on this policy but they keep finding excuses not to pay. For the last 3 months I and my Mother's Dr. office have faxed, uploaded and called in the requested information but then every time I call they claim "they have not received any documents"!!! They gave us the fax number to use, and we verified the number (faxed it again X3) then uploaded the documents to their website - as they instructed (we did this X3). Finally the Dr. called and gave them the information & resent the forms.

    Then the Nurse called the following week and was told they received the documents except 1 page, so she re-send the missing page. I then called the following week to check on status but was told that they received... NO information at all!!! The people are crooks. They just do not want to pay. People can't be this incompetent without actually trying to be that bad. I try to speak to a supervisor and am told "someone" will call me back, which does not happen. I ask to file a complaint and told I have to "mail them a letter" --- which I'm sure they will lose too! Do NOT purchase this insurance. My Mother's Dr. office tell me they have had lots of problems with this company many other times. This should be illegal.

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    Customer ServiceCoverageStaff

    Reviewed Feb. 8, 2018

    If I could give this company zero or negative stars, I would do it. Never have I been treated so poorly by any company. They are inefficient, uncaring, disorganized and downright deceptive. I can’t believe they are still in business. If someone ever tries to sell you or your loved ones one of these policies, run away and don’t look back. I can only imagine how they treat the elderly who have one of these policies and need to file a claim but doesn’t have a child or advocate to battle for them, I can only imagine how they are treated.

    My father took out one of their Long Term Care policies back in 1993 and set up the premiums to be paid directly out of his bank account. In August of last year he had a major stroke and would now be needing long term care at a local skilled nursing facility. Even though he had Medicare and supplemental through his work, I started the process of alerting Bankers that I would likely be filing a claim after the first two options ran out. I didn’t have in my possession the actual policy that he had taken out with them and couldn’t find it at his house. I alerted Bankers Life and they told me they would resend the policy to his residence and not mine since they didn’t have my existing POA papers. I said that was fine since I was having his mail forwarded to me anyway and that I would send the POA papers to them. I uploaded the POA forms and waited for the policy.

    Weeks later I realized I hadn’t received them, (my bad, but life got in the way). I called again, spoke to someone else who said they had no request on file and they had no record of my POA being uploaded. OK, stuff happens, so I re-uploaded the papers. Waited another couple of weeks, no policy. I call again. They have them. They’re being processed. Several more weeks pass and I receive a confirmation letter that my POA has been recorded in the name of my mother, who had passed 5 years previous. Another phone call to the agency that now is supposed to be servicing the policy since the original agent is now long gone. Agent tells me that they didn’t receive second page of POA. I resend everything again, including my mother's death certificate, but this time to the agent.

    Weeks go by, receive another letter finally stating me as the POA. Still no policy. Call again, speak with phone rep, Unique, in of all places, their call center...in Jamaica. Still no request on file for sending me a policy. Request a policy, but they have no record of my POA. Tell her I have a letter stating me as the POA. She says it doesn’t matter, she has no record of it. I am now thoroughly pissed and not certain what to do.

    On Nov. 20th, my father passes away. At the beginning of Nov. the nursing home was kind enough to fill out the majority of the claim and submit the claim. This is a service they offer to all their patients' families. She had questions about the claim as well and calls Bankers numerous times and couldn’t get straight answers and could never talk to the same person twice because Bankers doesn’t assign a single person to handle your case, you have the misfortune of having to talk to whomever is available...in Jamaica. She tells me that they keep asking for the same information from the nursing home again and again and again. It is now well into Dec. and they keep asking for the same info yet again. They are sending me letters now, telling me what they are asking for and it’s the same thing as the time before and the time before that etc. The nursing home has now sent the information 3 times.

    Oh, and Bankers also doesn’t deal with 21st century technology, everything is done by snail mail. One of the forms I received from them was dated 18 days prior to the date I received it. All of the information from the nursing home had to be snail mailed....again and again and again. The nursing home is now calling me to see if I can call Bankers, since they will give out no information to the nursing home, (and this is after I have told them twice to give the nursing home any and all information that they need), I am furious at the stall tactics and call Bankers yet again.

    Spoke with another rep in the Jamaican call center. Can’t understand a darn word she’s saying. They transfer me to another rep. Ann. She can only tell me that the claim is in process and they are waiting on the nursing home. I tell her she’s lying because I just got off the phone with the nursing home and that she has sent all the necessary information 3 times with the last time being 2 weeks ago. I again demand a copy of the policy, she refuses because, guess what? They don’t have me listed as POA??!! And now they don’t have to send me anything because POA ends at death! Oh, that’s right, Bankers didn’t even have that little tidbit of information in the file! I had told everyone I had spoken with after Nov 20th that my dad had passed. I got a condolence letter in Dec, but no one had recorded it in the file. How pathetic is that? And now I don’t have a leg to stand on to get a copy of the policy or any other information.

    I demand to speak to her supervisor. I also now am demanding to know where the call center I am speaking to is located. She dances around the issue until she blurts out “Jamaica. We are on the island of Jamaica.” Way to go, Bankers Life. She also was not wanting to tell me her supervisor's name, since he “was out of the office at the moment.” She finally told me his name was “Willy” and that she would have him call me. Yeah, right. No call back that day, or the next.

    Finally frustrated to the point of tears, I call the union liaison that Navistar has appointed to help its retirees with insurance claims. He proceeds to tell me how much trouble he has had with them and that maybe the reason they don’t want me to see the policy is because some of their policies he has dealt with offer a refund of premium if no claim is made. I’m now righteously angry.

    I now call the agent again, in Waterloo, IA. I explain the issue to her and I’m not speaking softly. She offers to call the home office if I calm down and stop yelling. I apologize and give her a synopsis of the problem. I can tell she thinks I’m exaggerating. She calls back in about 30 mins. Lo and behold, they won’t give her any information or fax her a copy of the policy. This is the AGENT THAT IS SUPPOSE TO SERVICE THE POLICY AND THEY WON’T GIVE HER ANY INFORMATION! She is stunned. Does tell me that as soon as the higher ups return from their New Year’s retreat, (yes, by now it is 2018.) I am done waiting.

    I draft an email to her (although to her credit she is the only person at Bankers that actually tried to help me and showed some modicum of empathy towards me). The email stated that I wanted a copy of the policy in my hands in 2 days and that I had already contacted my attorney and was filing a bad faith lawsuit. I also stated that I had already opened a case against them in the State of Illinois with the Department of Insurance. The next call would be to my State Senator and a local Circuit Judge. I get an immediate response from the agent that she is forwarding my email to the powers that be regardless of what retreat they are on.

    The next day, I get a call from Rob in the home office...in Chicago. He is stunned and amazed by how Much trouble I have had...But he still can’t send a policy directly to me!!! He assures me that he will personally oversee the rest of my claim...that it is in process and they are only waiting on the nursing home!!! He assures me that he would make sure a check is cut to the nursing home as soon as the claim is completed. He says they will overnight the policy to my father's address, in Central Illinois, 4 hours away from me. He says they will forward it after I tell him there is no one there to receive it. No problem, he says they will definitely have it forwarded. Guess what? It wasn’t forwarded! Fed Ex left it in the freaking DOOR!!! My husband drives 8 hours round trip to retrieve the policy. Finally received a check from them for the claim on February 2nd, when I had begun the claim process on Oct. 4th. Yes, that’s 5 months.

    My husband, who works for a major insurance company, was appalled by how badly this company runs its claims. The final icing on this wretched cake came with the check. In a small statement on the stub, the comment was written, and I quote this, “patient has not met the required waiting requirements. Your insurance does not pay for losses to the extent that they are covered by Medicare. However, as a valued policyholder, and to provide you with the best possible service, we are applying Medicare covered days towards your elimination period. You have met 20 of 20 days of your elimination period to date.” Yes, thank you Bankers Life for being so gracious as to afford me the finest possible customer service, you pathetic excuse for a company. If this is the best possible service, I would sorely hate to see their worst.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed Feb. 6, 2018

    For several years I have been paying Bankers Life monthly premiums for long term care. The day came when my wife with Alzheimer needed outside assistance. I was told our policy exempt care payments for the first 90 days of needed care. Bankers Life required a lot of paperwork which they received. More paperwork was required. I paid the two caring facilities for my wife care from June-December 2017 and have continued to pay into January 2018. I sent Bankers Life all of the weekly billing invoices with the copy of my payment check for each invoice. During late November 2017 Bankers Life called the caring Facility that caring hours and calendars daily dates for each week was needed. This was during November. I expect payment for all of my weekly paid invoices and I was surprised to learn that the caring facility had to give them calendar days for each week.

    Bankers Life accepted my copies of the paid weekly invoices but never mentioned to me that more information was needed. My contact at the caring facility mentioned that this was the worst insurance company she had experience. Their system for invoicing was not set up for the week's calendar dates and hours of care. She built a handwritten spreadsheet on one of their invoice form. I mailed this form to Bankers Life on December 5th. We didn't hear from them so I assumed it was trashed. Three weeks later I built a Excel spreadsheet in date sequence, showing my check number, the date, the facility, total hours and check total. I mailed this on December 27, 2017 with another set of copied invoices which included the image of my payment checks.

    Later I called them and told my Bankers Life contact that if I didn't receive the amount due me from my spreadsheet I was going to report them to the my state and I'm thinking of getting a lawyer to take the company to court and Bankers Life will pay for all costs. My contact told me I would have priority and reimbursement checks will be mailed within a few days and he will keep me posted, which he did. I received the checks around January 20th and another check about a week later. I would not recommend Bankers Life for long term care insurance.

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    Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaff

    Reviewed Jan. 5, 2018

    Like others have already written, Bankers Life seems to have their techniques down very well to drag the approval process out for as long as possible. We started in January of 2017 to get my father into an assisted living facility. He'd been paying on his policy for years, and from what he'd told us, Bankers was supposed to be a good company to deal with. Well, that wasn't the case. Once we opened a claim they asked for some basic information and told us that they couldn't do anything until he was already in a facility. We found an assisted living facility that was close to our home and moved him in, in February. Since he is on a fixed income, we had to supplement the cost of the monthly charges... hoping that Bankers Life would reimburse us. Once in the facility Bankers then asked for more documents. They were sent. They then told us that the documents would be reviewed.

    We waited... and waited for about 6 weeks. They called and said that they needed additional information. We sent it... and then waited. After a few more weeks they sent out a nurse to evaluate him. She ran some basic tests and then we waited. They asked for more information. But while we were waiting for them to review the new documents... my father had a fall and broke 4 ribs. He was sent to the hospital where he stayed a week before being sent to a rehab facility. Because Bankers was dragging their feet for so long, and weren't helping with any costs, we had to take my father out of the assisted living facility. We figured that once he was released from the rehab facility he could move back into our home again while we waited for Bankers to finally get around to approving him.

    He was at the rehab facility for a month and all of the doctors and nurses told us that there should be no problem getting him approved for long-term care with his physical limitations and dementia. We moved him back home with us and we heard that Bankers Life didn't feel that he needed any assistance and denied his long-term care. We appealed, and sent in 90 pages of documentation from doctors and nurses, stating all of his physical and mental conditions, and the doctors recommending that he be in an assisted living home... but that too was denied. Well, we decided to have help in our home while we went back and forth with Bankers Life.

    So we called a home health company, who had helped out previously, and they sent a nurse out to evaluate him for home health. We also contacted Bankers Life, yet again, about home health while we could make arrangements to get him back into assisted living. They also sent out a nurse. Both nurses arrived the same day and at the same time. Both evaluated him and both agreed he was needing help. The local home health company worked through Medicare and started the next day. We heard from Bankers Life a few weeks later telling us that his claim was under review. Another month went by and they sent us another letter telling us that it was still under review.

    We finally heard back today that they will approve home health assistance, but we are moving him into a nursing home next week. Hopefully they will allow the care that he gets there as proof enough to allow us to move him into an assisted living facility again. There is zero chance of us ever referring anyone to Bankers Life. They are very skilled in the art of delaying and dragging their feet to the point that people want to just give up. Horrible, horrible service and company.

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    Reviewed Nov. 27, 2017

    It seemed impossible to collect from Bankers Life when my mother became ill and unable to care for herself. After months of trying to satisfy Bankers requirements, which I did, they just kept telling me I did not send this or that document and I proved to them I had. Finally, out of desperation, I told them they would not be hearing from me again. I was taking all documentation to my attorney.

    I told them I had an attorney because I had been appointed Legal Guardian of Mom since she was unable physically and mentally to care for herself which they were fully aware of because I had sent them a copy of the guardianship papers from the court. I then told them they could pay the attorney fees, court costs AND pay my mom. I would not be contacting them again and I did not want them to contact me unless it was to send me a check for Mom. They started sending me checks. It is a shamed that you have to threaten them to get them to do what they were paid to do. I wouldn't even give them 1 star.

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    Reviewed June 12, 2017

    My parents paid this ripoff company for 10 years and they denied every claim except a partial when my mother passed away. 10 years of premiums and Bankers Life paid $1800 after 6 months of trying to get them to pay. Conseco Life Insurance is associated with them and it is the same dealing with them. Hundreds of bad reviews. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM THEM!!!

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed June 11, 2017

    I am a Financial Planner and been in the business for over 10 years. Long-term care is a big part of my business considering the majority of my clients are seniors. My experience with Bankers Life actually comes from one of my clients. I have a client in NC who has had several health issues and was declined LTCI a few times by major LTC insurance companies. Long story short, my client was contacted by a cold call from a Bankers Life agent who insisted she could still get the insurance even after she disclosed her health issues. With that said, my client consulted with me and I said if he could get her approved then get the insurance.

    I gave her a list of questions to ask about the policy and some pointers about what to look for. When the agent from Bankers Life arrived, he was very pushy and actually told my client to omit some health details when filling out the application. She also tried asking him the questions I gave her about the policy and he noticeably was growing very frustrated with my client and eventually told her if she doesn't trust him then he's not doing business with her then he packed up his things and left. These business practices are very unethical and need to be looked into.

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    Customer ServiceCoverageStaff

    Reviewed Dec. 29, 2016

    Customer service is not good. I always get the same greeting "NOW HOW IS THIS MY FAULT?" The world shakes and then the "nice" agent hangs up irresponsibly. It is awful. Also has a lock in contract and has worst policy and coverage. It won't pay out what you deserve unless you get hit by a truck or something like that. A three year old would do a better job. It sucks and is the worst gibberish I saw in my life. Would not recommend.

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    Customer ServiceCoverageStaff

    Reviewed Oct. 7, 2016

    My mother paid into a long term care plan with Bankers Life for many years. It was an automatic withdrawal of $150 @ month. Bankers Life failed to draft the monthly premium for 2 months. We contacted Bankers Life and asked why? We were told insufficient funds. THIS IS A LIE, NOT TRUE! Her balance has always been well over $5000 in her checking account. The bank confirmed the funds were NEVER requested. Bankers Life told us that my mother had to reapply as the policy she paid for all those years now lapsed? She was NOW declined due to her current health. There has never been any documentation from Bankers Life to support any insufficient funds or that the policy ever lapsed. BEWARE! My mother was contacted by phone for years after her decline by Bankers Life agents trying to sell her LTC. Even after her death they would try to set an appointment with her.

    I would set an appointment with the current agent and tell her horror story about what a horrible company they work for. By having the current agent from Bankers Life come to her home even after her death, was a way to keep Bankers Life products out of someone else's home at that time. I had to give up my full time job, take a $50,000 pay cut to take care of my mother for over 10 years due to Bankers Life's unethical practices. Income loss total of over $500,000. I love my mother and did what I needed to do to take care of her.

    I hate unethical companies like Bankers Life. BUYER BEWARE! I have since dedicated my life to helping people through the Knights of Columbus. I have become a field agent for more than 11 years now. I am an MDRT member and love helping families with an award winning Most Ethical Company. Thank you Knights of Columbus for helping me provide benefits to families that are guaranteed to be there when families need the most.

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    Customer Service

    Reviewed Sept. 16, 2016

    We paid into our long term care policy for 16 years before my husband got sick and had to go to a Assisted Living Facility. I have been trying to deal with Bankers Long Term Care customer service since then. His payments are usually wrong and it takes several telephone calls and much stress to finally get it taken care of. I feel that I have to fight them every month to make them do the right thing. Customer service stinks and a manager won't call you back. In 10 days my October payment will be due, and I am still working on getting Bankers to settle up on the August payment. They are a very hard Co. to deal with. My advice would be to take your money and business to a more reliable company and not have the stress every month, not to mention dealing with a very sick spouse.

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    Reviewed Aug. 7, 2016

    We have met all of their requirements, had two nurses state that my mom cannot be left alone because of her vertigo and dementia which has her confused. They keep finding excuses to not pay, they paid for a few months and for some reason think my 86 mom's doctors and nurses that they sent to evaluate are both not telling the truth. Mom has been paying on this policy for over 13 years and for what, she needs help now and can't be left alone. We don't have the means to pay out of our pockets and need to work to pay bills. Scared and frustrated, please can someone tell me what to do??? This is both wrong and evil!!

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed June 14, 2016

    I have spent 4 months trying to get Bankers Long-Term Care to pay for my 85 yr. old father's care in a qualified care home. I have proof that all the documentation was faxed to Bankers when he was put in the care home. 4 months later they still will not assign us a representative for our claim. Customer service just bounces you from one person to the next. And all they can say is they still don't know if he is qualified or if the facility is qualified. And every time I call they move their answer date back another 6 weeks.

    I am turning them into the insurance commission and contacting my lawyer. As my parents will now have to sell their house just to afford my father's care. Mind you they bought this policy in 1996. And Bankers won't pay off on the claim but they still want my mom to pay them every month for a policy they won't honor. You are better off same bagging your money to pay the care home direct when your time comes. Bankers Life and Casualty is taking advantage of senior citizens. Please don't let it happen to you.

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    Customer ServiceCoverageStaff

    Reviewed May 27, 2016

    My parents both took great care in their early 60's to research and purchase long term care insurance. They both were issued policies from Bankers Life. My father paid on his policy for over 13 years before he became so ill we needed to make a claim. Bankers Life took way too long to set up payment, would send letters saying claims would not be paid (even though some were) and then finally, after we thought we had worked all the kinks out (which was like a part-time job) they sent a letter saying we were near our max claim (but would not tell us what that max was) and that my father would no longer have care. They had the audacity to write in the next line that they "were here to help."

    My father will now have to pay for care out of pocket for 6 months before they will review another claim. "Customer service rep" when asked if he would likely be covered if he had to have a foot amputated or had a stroke replied "probably not." This company just plays games with people. Your loved one may die waiting for their care. If you want to pay for years to only get a year of coverage then you might not think it's so bad. Buyer beware.

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    Customer ServiceCoveragePrice

    Reviewed April 20, 2016

    When I set up my account they were able to answer all of my questions and accurately. I don't remember the policy options due to I was in the navy when I signed up for the policy. But it was easy to set up at the time which was about ten years ago. It is to cover my expenses when I pass away and leave it to my kids. I remember that the plan that I chose was a high amount of pay out for so little of a price that I pay monthly. The value of the plan that I chose I felt was best for me at the time of purchase of the plan. I feel that my family will be in the best interest of my family.

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    Customer ServiceCoverageStaff

    Reviewed April 16, 2016

    Coverage is easy to choose and select because you can choose what policy is best for you and what will cover for you or your family and their options are great. They are helpful and informative because they answer any and all questions you may have concerning your policy and coverage. The customer service is always friendly and nice and wonderful.

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    Customer Service

    Reviewed April 12, 2016

    I did call to verify I was paying the right amount and they seemed nice enough. It was offered through my work and I only had 2 options so I can't really say that much about them other than I took the one that costs the most in hopes when I need this it will provide the best. I have heard from others that Bankers Life is very good but I have no personal experience with them. I hope that when the time comes they will provide what they are suppose to. It is much more reasonable than what I was paying at my last job and as I have stated others seem to think it is one of the better companies that provide long term ins.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed March 12, 2016

    I signed up. Got add to Ins for long time care. Had surgery & started getting bills. Told no worries medicare will review & delay. After several bills I paid it. Never got a refund. Had to cancel my checking account & debit card. I have all my paperwork. I have called and been to office in Laguna Hills 3 times now, phoned left messages, faxed info as required, now they need one more thing. Searching the companies on my computer reflects similar comments. Taking advantage of seniors.

    Think about it before you invest in this company & coverage or lack of it. Wish you luck. I'm in my 3rd month keep copies of everything, record conversations with company. Protect yourself with some other company is my advice. I can face or put on my phone & send photos of all I have done on my behalf to get funds paid. On my third visit to doctor I was told they knew nothing about it. Wonder egos making money on this & would like to see how many people have had same experience.

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    Customer Service

    Reviewed Feb. 29, 2016

    After all the horror stories about BLC in consumer reviews and in the media, I was about ready to hire an attorney before we ever filed the first claim in late December 2015 (for assisted living) for my 91-year old cognitively impaired mother who entered an assisted living facility in mid-April 2015. I sent a copy of her POA with the claim, but they contacted her for information anyway.

    I wrote a blunt letter in late January of 2016 telling them not to contact her again and sent another copy of the POA. I then heard nothing else until last week. It was a letter dated mid-February stating that she qualified under the terms of her coverage as of mid-April 2015 (the beginning.) The next day I got a $12,000 check in the mail for October 15 - January 16 bills.

    I called today to check on the other months and refund of the premiums for the retroactive months during which we had paid the $400 per month in premiums. The customer service representative said the check for mid-July - September of 2015 has been processed and mailed out and a separate one is in process for the refund of eight months of premium payments. The total of the payments for the retroactive coverage is $26,000. This miracle has occurred without any intervention on my part beyond the one letter I sent.

    My brother and I were hoping they would start paying as of now, but figured we would have to fight for it. We certainly had not dared to hope they would backdate her eligibility (even though the policy said they might). After this unbelievably positive experience with Bankers Life, I felt I owed it to that company to write this review.

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    Staff

    Reviewed Feb. 13, 2016

    Twenty five years ago when my parents retired they set about making out their will, pre-paying funeral expenses, etc. They met a salesman from Bankers Life who told them about their amazing long term care plan for only $110 a month! The clause my parents liked the best was that it would pay a family member up to $100 a day to provide care for one of them should they need help at home. Well, who know if this is true or not! We have been sending forms, claims, medical records, documentation, for over 18 months and Bankers Life always has a reason to refuse the claim or close it out due to "insufficient information" then we need to file another application and open the claim again. Now my 89-year-old mother is at home with me in the final stages of lung cancer with hospice support. Those of you who have gone through it can attest to the emotional and physical toll it takes on the caretaker - so let's add Banker's Life to the mix.

    We live in a suburb of Boston - the latest letter regarding our application for reimbursement for home care services provided states "we were unable to locate a Licensed Home Health Care Agency near your address." Are you kidding me? They're all over the place being so close to a metropolitan area with numerous world known hospitals!!! The consequences are that I'm paying out of pocket for home health care support because any "Licensed Home Health Care Provider" that I spoke to would not work with Bankers Life and requires private pay.

    The agency is being great providing me with documentation every week to try to meet the requirements. I'm going into debt so I can go to work part-time to avoid too much FMLA unpaid time. These stories would make good fodder for a John Grisham novel. 5 red stars in all areas (the system would only allow 2 for dissatisfied) - my parents' money went down the drain $110 a month for 25 years - now nothing but stress and possibly attorney's fees to show for it.

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    Customer ServiceOnline & App

    Reviewed Dec. 30, 2015

    I have struggled with Bankers Life long term care insurance for 4 months now concerning my 80 year old mother's claim. This company uses a phone bank for correspondence and you never get the same person. I mailed, faxed, and uploaded to their website all forms needed and for two months they lied and said never received correspondence. I finally got a employees email and scanned to her. So then I had proof of items sent. Took another month for approval and now they saying September is not her 30 day grace period and November is so avoiding to pay us thousands we paid the nurse.

    I have contacted the SC insurance commissioner and launched an investigation for Bankers purposely prolonging claims and cheating the ill elderly. This company will do anything not to pay. Worst company I have ever in my lifetime dealt with. It's a shame they don't pay what people have paid for all their life. It's stressed and upset my mom to the point she has lost too much weight so I had to tell them not to contact her. My mother is in her last stage of renal kidney disease and is on dialysis 9 hours a day to stay alive. I cannot believe we have a company like this in operation. It's a total nightmare.

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    Punctuality & Speed

    Reviewed Dec. 3, 2015

    We have Bankers Long-Term Care for 15 years. Lived in Mo. at time. Has been nothing less than a nightmare. Started with 5 years, just got a new $1000.00 rate increase. Will now have only about 30% of what we started with. Bankers agent told us any rate increase must be approved by state insurance dept. This was not true. What a waste of money.

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    Reviewed Dec. 1, 2015

    I signed with one of your agents Sheppy. I already had Colonial Penn but I needed home health care. I signed up. She deposited my check too early and I started the month over 100.00 in the hole. Tried to explaining it to her but she would not listen. Secondly I told her I was in immediate need of home health care. First I was told I had to wait two months. During that time I had to pay someone for the help I needed. Then I was told they needed proof I paid her which she supplied. Now they are saying if I filed a claim within two years I needed a referral from a doctor, medical records for five years, and when they received all of that it would take at least ten more days to get it approved and another 45 days to start payments.

    In the meantime I have spend all of my savings paying someone. At the rate this be handled I might be dead before you people do what you said. I have a policy and have read it three or four time looking for the information you said you needed. If my claim is not processed and paid by 12/10/2015, I am filing a claim with the Better Business Bureau and writing the Insurance Commission about shady business practices. Who would do a sick senior citizen like this?

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    Staff

    Reviewed Nov. 18, 2015

    My parents purchased a long-term care policy from this company years ago and automatically deducted premiums for that entire time. My mother, suffers from dementia and Parkinsons and was placed in a long-term care facility. We filed a claim with Bankers Life and I sent them a stack of documentation from the facility and her doctors, they than said they needed "more documentation" from the facility and her doctors. It took over 60 days for them to finally certify and send a check.

    Once we had that taken care of, we were told to send the monthly invoices we received from the facility (after they were paid, of course) to Bankers Life claims department and they would reimburse us. We did, and we have received nothing but stall tactics, headaches and frustration. This company will try ANY trick in the book to deny the monthly claim. I have begun documenting EVERY representative that I speak with and my mothers long term care facility has as well.

    My experience has been nothing but frustrating and full of headaches. Today the representative told me that they STILL need more information and I was happy to be calling from home and not my desk at work because I let loose and after almost 10 minutes on hold and me providing the date, time, and name of the person the nurse spoke with and the last check magically went out yesterday. I told her... "I'm in Wisconsin and you're in Indiana and if that check isn't here in 5 business days I will be calling again!"

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed Sept. 29, 2015

    When my mother was 85 and my father was 88, a Bankers Life agent, John developed a friendly relationship with my small town parents. He would drop in time to time just to visit and check on them. The other times when his sales numbers were low, he would sell them annuities, home healthcare policies, life insurance. This guy was a repeat offender. He even had my 89 year old father with Alzheimer's "witness" a document. This is just to give you an idea of how shady this company is.

    We left a lot of the benefits in place because Mom like John and she didn't suffer from acute Alzheimer's like my father, but she did have mild dementia and when the insurance company gave her the runaround she was not equipped to stand her ground or meet their redundant requests. That's when my sisters and I took charge. It is the same story that many of you share here. Refused claims even when paperwork is in order, loopholes, rude customer service agents, endless transfers and excuses. It took us almost a year of constant battling to get their claim approved and benefits in place.

    My father died before he could use all his benefits, but mom exhausted her care allowance and has to pay premiums again for six months before she can make another claim. We knew this ahead of time and called to make arrangements to restart policy premiums and to start we did not want to risk losing this policy. It is all that stands between her and a nursing home. We faxed the documents. I have the fax log confirmation. I faxed it again requesting information. Nothing came in the mail, and honestly I forgot to get back with them. I thought I would be reminded by something arriving in the mail. I should have known better. I already know their tricks.

    Four months later we are getting close to making another claim. I'm getting ready with doctor's evaluations, statement of receipt, certified CNA's, daily care logs and proof of care. I am meticulous because I have learned what they want. I looked in her bank to count how many ACH withdrawals have been made from Bankers Life- ZERO. No evidence of any activity from Bankers Life in the checking account. I call their customer service dept to learn the policy had been cancelled due to non-payment. Wait, what?

    They said they never rec'd the fax. Even though I said I have the fax confirmation, the reps response was "that only proves you sent it, it does not prove we rec'd it." It is past the deadline now and the policy has been cancelled. I could submit a letter requesting reinstatement was the response I received when asked what I needed to do to fix this situation and get things back on track. This information was not freely given. I had to ask several times. So now, I am sending the fax confirmations, the ACH paperwork and a request to reinstate via fax, upload and snail mail to be sure they received the info. I am also sharing this with my Senator Bill Nelson who was key in expediting VA spousal benefits for my mother when the VA was taking a year to process her claim. I am hopeful for good results.

    You have to understand their goal is to make it SO difficult to submit a claim that most older people just give up. Get involved with your parents care, document every fax, phone call, email. Save everything. Record the phone calls and tell them that you are doing it. If you have done everything you're supposed to and you still feel cheated please email your senator. Involve your local politicians, that's what they are there for, to help you when situations seem hopeless or unfair. I wish I had an ending for this story, we are still engaged in a battle.

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    Verified purchase

    Reviewed Aug. 11, 2015

    I have made monthly payments since 1992 for 2 policies. One for nursing home care and one for in-home care for my wife and myself. During mid 2014 I initiated a request for in-home care for my wife and selected a local caregiver company. After complying with Bankers Life application requirements we were finally approved for benefits but were told that we had to pay the caregiver for the first 14 days of care, (an elimination fee). We did that and then stopped care to go to Florida from 01-13-15 to 03-26-15. When we returned to Ohio and asked to re-start care, we were told we would have to apply all over again and pay another 14 day elimination fee. I protested, to no avail because of a clause in my policy requiring this any time care was stopped for 6 months or more. Is this fair or justifiable when it's my money they are using?

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    Customer Service

    Reviewed July 21, 2015

    I am now in the process of trying to get Bankers Life to pay for the long term care that my parents purchased years ago. My mother is in an assisted living facility as of June 4, 2015. I have submitted, FedExed and called the company once a week since her admittance. I have yet to receive a check for her two months that my dad has paid out of pocket. I have read nothing but negative reviews. You have to have them in the facility in order to submit the claim, however after they are admitted, you can't get the claims paid. I was told it takes 25 days after receipt of everything they request.

    Well 25 days has come and gone and we have yet to receive an answer or check. I will not give up. My dad has paid on this policy for 20 years and he will receive the benefits promised. I am up for a class action suit or a private suit. But I will not give up. I will call the agent and the claims department everyday if I have to. This is ridiculous. They promise the moon when they are selling the policy but won't give you a light bulb when the time comes to cash in on the need.

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    Reviewed July 2, 2015

    We have been frustrated with Bankers Life/Transamerica for a claim we file for my 94 year old mother who needs full time care. They are good at stalling on the claim and come up with all these things they have to do before they will make a decision. My mother needed Home Health Care first and that was a nightmare also. After 6 months, they denied the claim. I turned it into the Insurance Commissions office and they got them to pay the claim. I think they are hoping people will give up and then they will not have to pay the claim. My mom pays 10,000.00 per year and this is how they treat her. Not a company I would recommend.

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    Verified purchase
    Customer ServiceCoverageStaff

    Reviewed April 24, 2015

    Bankers Life Agents prepared two policies for my husband in our home. One for Life Insurance and the second for Long Term Care Insurance. The Life Insurance in the amount of 25K was replacing an existing policy for 10K the Long Term Care Policy a new Policy. We submitted to all medical review questions and provided the names of my husband medical doctors, tests labs etc. The policies were issued and premiums were deducted accordingly.

    The Long term care claims were denied because my husband attended his doctor during the week the policy was being processed. Policy denied. Now my husband has passed away and I'm told this policy is being contested as well. The policy was underwritten by professionals and we complied with every request to provide access to all medical records. Now when I need help the most I get the cold stare from the agents and the company.

    Minimal communications - the lady on the phone said something will be mailed to me. I submitted this policy to the funeral home in good faith. This company is a sham. I'm cancelling my existing policy because I don't want the same thing to happen to my loved ones. Consumers have no protection against these slick agents and underwriters. They have access to your medical records and doctors and can deny a policy at will.

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    Customer ServiceProcess

    Reviewed April 23, 2015

    I recently filed claims with Bankers Life & Casualty LTC on behalf of my mother. The process went very smoothly. I used their web-based document upload service. They were quick to respond and let me know what was lacking (e.g. the plan of care from the LTC facility). Once all of the requested information was submitted by all of the parties (me, Mom's physician, and the LTC facility), we were notified within a couple of weeks that the claims were approved. About 2 weeks later, we received the first reimbursement check. We received the 2nd check last week. The LTC facility faxes them the itemized bill each month. I am going to see if they provide a direct deposit option (which is how I stumbled on these bad reviews of Bankers Life and decided I need to let people know that someone has had a positive experience). But even if they don't offer direct deposit, I will still be pleased.

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    Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaff

    Reviewed March 12, 2015

    My father-in-law has Alzheimer's disease and was diagnosed 3 years ago. Our nightmare with Bankers began in January 2012. I have read all of these complaints and feel as if I am reading our own story. I will try to keep this short and share some possible strategies that we are trying.

    We began meeting with the first agent in January of 2012 after my father-in-law went missing and was thankfully found. We started the claim process at that time. After numerous delay tactics, mismanagement, and incompetence on the part of Bankers, we were finally, one year and two months later in March 20, he was DENIED money for his daily care. We were asked numerous times to provide information that we had already provided. It went on and on. In addition, our caregiver was told to take classes for her certificate and she would be covered. She spent over 700.00 to complete the course, but they refused to pay on the grounds that she was an independent caregiver. Nowhere in the policy does it stipulate that the caregiver needs to be associated with an agency. I wrote to the NJ Insurance Complaint Department, but to no avail.

    Just recently, my father-in-law stayed at a local facility for respite care, which was covered in his policy. The dates were 12/24/14-1/5/15. Of course the facility faxed 33 pages of information to Bankers, then completed another 10 pages deemed necessary for the claim process to continue, which it hasn't. That was not enough. They required an itemized bill, which the facility does not complete. I'm sure Bankers knows this well.

    However, the facility has been very helpful and is trying to meet all of Bankers' requirements. The facility stated that they have NEVER dealt with this problem before and they deal with companies all the time. I have called Bankers repeatedly. The last time I asked how many people were handling our claim and the man said, "Quite a large number of people." This is absurd. Every time I call now I am taking names and writing what they tell me about the claim so I can keep track. I get someone different all the time. They appear to be reading from a script. I could go on and on. This claim still has not been resolved. But let's do something.

    Please help me do the following: Write a letter to the president of the company - Mr. Scott Goldberg. It looks like the HQ is in Chicago. 111 E. Wacker Dr. Chicago, IL 60601-3713. Write to the insurance complaint department in your state. Nothing will help unless we make this more public. My next step will be to contact 7 On Your Side, our TV station in NYC. Please contact your local station. Please send letters to your local newspapers. CNN also has investigative reporters such as Drew Griffin. Write to the BBB of Illinois. You can do that on the BBB website. I am appalled at how much time this takes. But the bigger issue is that this company is getting away with making promises and knowing full well that unless an elderly person has someone to fight for them, they will never get a penny.

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    Verified purchase
    Customer Service

    Reviewed March 9, 2015

    I put in a claim for my father in September 2014 and expected a claim check to start in December of 2014. We have not gotten a check for December, January and now February. I have spent many hours on the phone and each time they tell us that some other information for him all of the requirements from the beginning of this process but they did not. After many lies that the check will be sent out, we still have no payment for his care. I would never take out any insurance from this company. They take your money but do not pay their claims!

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    Coverage

    Reviewed Feb. 28, 2015

    After a stroke, and they provided no help. Now my step mom is in a nursing home and I am going to try to get the policy reinstated, but after reading all of the reviews, it still looks like there is going to be a battle to even get them to pay anything. She is being forced to spend down her assets/life insurance policy and lose her home to apply for Medicaid when she had a long-term care policy in place. This is not right. Shame on these insurance companies preying on the elderly.

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    Verified purchase
    Customer ServiceStaffProcess

    Reviewed Feb. 8, 2015

    We began filing a claim for my father who is 94 and needs 24 hr care because of various health reasons. We first began the process in Sept. of 2014 and have yet to receive any funds, though he is well qualified, we have met all requirements, and he has met the deductible easily. Every time we call, we get a different agent in all countries around the world. Each agent has different information and every time we are told that we need something different to meet the requirements. My parents both have a considerable amount invested in LTC and I am ready to help someone bring a class action lawsuit!!!

    This company preys on the elderly who can't defend themselves. It is as bad as the scams you read about with people taking money from the elderly. I will keep on this company until something is resolved!!!

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    Customer ServiceCoverageStaff

    Reviewed Jan. 9, 2015

    My mother-in-law took out a policy for long term care with these people 15 years ago and now wants to use the policy and it is a nightmare. I'm surprised there hasn't been a class action lawsuit against them. They are happy to take your money for years but they DO NOT want to pay any claims. They keep harassing us and calling us trying to find a reason why they don't have to pay. The agencies they use have extremely POOR workers providing care. We have had 5 different employees in a few months period because they keep quitting.

    They tell you you can go with whoever you want, but that is pretty much a lie too because they will look for ANY reason not to pay a claim. They keep calling to see if they can find something in your recorded conversation that will let them off the hook. If you're even considering this company - run - don't walk. I would NEVER get a policy like this and especially NOT from Bankers Life, after seeing how difficult it is to use it. It was definitely a waste!

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    Verified purchase
    Staff

    Reviewed Dec. 18, 2014

    I will be 86 in a couple of months. My husband has Parkinson’s and I have been caring for him now starting our 70th year. When we took out the policy in 1999 everyone’s so helpful. Little did we realize what laid ahead when we needed to start using the policy. When we used Visiting Angles they told us they would not recognize them. The agency sent documentation to no avail. We then got private girl only to be told that Home Health Aid would not work. Finally got a CNA. Reading previous complaint on this site it is what I have gone through. They would say they didn't get pages etc. It has been a nightmare.

    Finally I have been getting help with an office locally. She would fax to them my paperwork so no excuses. They have been wonderful but now the headquarters say this is not enough. I would send them for the last couple of years a copy of the back and front of the check. Now they want the banks cancelled check so we are talking waiting a month before I get my statement and a couple weeks for them to process. I am tired out fighting this awful company. Would love to quit but that is probably what they want. Can't something be done???

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed Oct. 29, 2014

    My Mother (who is 80 yrs. old) has had this policy since 2002, and has had $90/month deducted from her checking account for the past 12 years! In May of 2014, she suffered a stroke, and was unable to stay in Senior Housing. I moved her into Assisted Living (which Banker's Life does cover). I requested paperwork to submit a claim, and once received I diligently filled-out all paperwork & faxed to the # listed. I had to call numerous times to check on status, couldn't understand any of the rep's I spoke with (terribly heavy accents - made me think I was calling Dell Tech support). They repeatedly sent out paperwork asking for the same information over and over. Everyone I spoke with said they'd make Notes of our conversation, but they never did.

    She did a brief stay in Rehab, while in Assisted Living (which Medicare & supplemental Insurance covered). We just got a letter in the mail stating that they've now overpaid us (since they paid for the Rehab stay--which we told them OVER & OVER that we were NOT claiming for that care), but they refused to listen & cut the check anyways. Now they are requesting reimbursement. We finally received one check and have submitted additional invoices for her care thru October 2014. In the meantime, we've spent well over $24,000 for her care, and her move to a permanent Long-term care Nursing Home. We're waiting for reimbursement of Sept. & Oct. charges to continue to pay for her care. We cannot put her on Mass Health as long as there is Insurance Money that can be used.

    Now, we're scrambling to make another Month's payment to the Nursing Home. BUT I have to get on the phone & explain to them AGAIN, that they paid for care they shouldn't have, and that we're still waiting on payment for her Assisted Living expenses, and Nursing Home care. They very readily took her $$ for 12 years, but when it comes to submitting a claim for reimbursement, they make it extremely difficult - and if it wasn't for me, her daughter handling this, she would've given up on submitting any type of claim - due to her age & health. Oh yes, and as her Power of Attorney, it took over 3 phone calls to get them to even talk to me. They wanted an Original copy of the PoA which I don't mail out to anyone. I wouldn't recommend anyone buying LTC Policy thru them, unless you don't plan on using it.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed Sept. 23, 2013

    My mother purchased a Long Term Home Health Insurance Policy on April 12, 2002, from Agent Kip **. Since then she has become legally blind and they refused to pay for care. In August 2012, I traveled to Washington to help take care of my mother as she had become a danger to herself. Being there 24/7, I realized that she was having periods of confusion/paranoia. These became severe enough that she was diagnosed on January 9, 2013 with Dementia. I could no longer take care of her, so we moved her to Patriots Landing Assisted Living. She had to have help bathing, being taken to meals, dressing, given medications and so on.

    I contacted Banker's and asked what they needed for me to file a claim. They gave me a list, reminding me that this was supposed to be a home policy and therefore they would only pay the amounts for the services themselves, not the "room and board charges." I assembled everything they asked for in a packet and sent it to them. They continually requested the same information from me and her doctor and Patriots Landing numerous times, then denied the claim. I contacted Kip, the agent, who said he didn't know why they would deny it and that he had also sent a copy of the info to them. Since then, the Claim Dept has told me to file for an appeal, as my mother's Dementia has progressed to the point where she could not stay in Assisted Living (she attacked other residents) so she was sent to Highline Medical Hospital's Specialty Campus, where she was evaluated again for a two week time period with a final diagnosis of Dementia and Alzheimer's.

    Since Patriot Landing had no opening in their Memory Care wing, she was transferred to Emeritus @ Harbour Pointe, in Ocean Shores, WA. My sister had built a house there, and would be able to visit with her there. I filed and sent all the paperwork again, this time as an appeal. After weeks, I called to be told they wanted it filed as a new claim since she was at a new facility (meaning we would not be reimbursed the amounts they should have paid from February 2013 on). And finally, we get to today, when I received a call telling me the claim was denied. Emeritus hadn't sent the documentation to prove Dementia, nor other statements of itemized billing and their Facility License, and that even if they had, we need to go to a different company called "Personal Service Providers" at ph (360) 538-1540.

    The claim was denied. I have been around and around with this company, supplying the paperwork time after time, and they are still taking money every month for this policy they refuse to pay on. I can't be the only one they are doing this to, and I am ready to do whatever it takes to get them to honor their contract or refund all monies they have collected from my mother, with interest calculated at the 2002 rates.

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    CoverageStaff

    Reviewed July 6, 2013

    After paying for years into this insurance policy and finally placing a claim, the seller assigned us to an agency that was very ill-prepared to care for much of anyone. It has been a struggle from the word go. More so, no one provided a list of agencies from which to choose and the one recommended threatened us with the idea that no other agency, locally, would be able to bill the insurance directly. No care to the elderly. Just a machine to feed the loop of insurers, providing agency, and the less than helpful staff.

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    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed June 25, 2013

    Don't understand the "no account rep" complaints - I have had an account rep ever since I bought a policy 7 years ago. In fact, I get called by reps and managers at least once a year here in MA, and the same in CT. I have not - thankfully - needed to access it yet, so I can't additionally vouch for them. I have a high-deductible "MediGap" policy with them and I get tons of contacts from them on that.

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    Staff

    Reviewed June 13, 2013

    My fiancé took out this policy with Bankers a long time ago. He decided to cancel it about 3 months ago, but cannot. He cannot get anyone to talk to. His bank told him since it is a direct debit monthly from his checking, they cannot stop it. His money is being thrown away to this company and he can't even put an end to it.

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    Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaff

    Reviewed April 22, 2013

    Worst company - Do not buy this Long Term Care! Many, many, many problems with this company from getting answers, resolving concerns, and getting the money even when it's been approved! They don't have direct deposit even when you do get the money. It's awful! On hold wait time is at least 20 minutes, and then you get cut off. I can't understand the customer service reps, and they can't get you to a supervisor. It's the worst company I've ever dealt with! Do not recommend. I’m putting in a complaint with the Attorney General's Office!

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    Price

    Reviewed Feb. 7, 2013

    Everyone knows that there is a 90-day period for which the policyholder must meet before Bankers Life and Casualty Company will make payments. What they don't tell you upfront is that they will only pay for the services provided in the past month and not at the beginning of the month. It can be expensive for 90 days of long term health care in a nursing home - shall we say $12,000.00 is a reasonable amount, but when you learn that Bankers Life will not pay upfront for the period 91-120, you are then stuck with having to come up with an additional 4,000 dollars for which Bankers Life will reimburse you. What if you can't come up with that 4000 dollars? You then get a bad credit stab from the nursing home, who wants the money upfront. Bankers Life can also delay their payment beyond the 30 days, which also adds to your bad credit. In discussing this with the finance department at the nursing home, I was told that only Bankers Life pays after the 120 days - all others make payment at the first of the month for the month following the 90-day period.

    The way this stacks up, the family must make the payment to the nursing home and then depend upon a reimbursement each month from Bankers Life. All other companies make payment direct to the nursing home at the beginning of the month. In other words, you may have to pay out 16,000 dollars before you will see one penny from Bankers Life. Think about it.

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    Staff

    Reviewed June 5, 2012

    I filed a claim with Bankers Life Long Term Insurance on behalf of my dad. It was quite aggravating at first getting all the paperwork together and straightened out, and getting the correct fax numbers for the correct papers. True, you never speak to the same person twice. But after we got everything in order, Bankers has sent us the money allowed us from the claim. Everything has been going smooth with them. My parents were smart to take out this insurance policy.

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    Customer ServiceStaffProcess

    Reviewed Feb. 29, 2012

    Bankers Life is terrible. They do not have direct lines, emails, or account reps. They transfer you around, and delay responses. They are constantly behind in payments, and you have to contact them every month to see why. They use excuses like "did not receive invoice", or have the billing so behind and confusing, no one can tell what is paid for or not. They come up with reasons not to pay claims. This process needs to be governed by an outside agency, as they are taking advantage of senior citizens, who would not be able to handle these frustrations, and it is not fair to family members to deal with this all the time. This is ongoing, and I have heard and seen additional complaints that Bankers is the worst, and no one is doing anything about it.

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    Coverage

    Reviewed Dec. 27, 2011

    Our policy's premium from 1995 to 2011 has increased 250%! This year it rose by nearly 40%! I am no longer going to accept these increases without an adequate explanation from those in the State of Illinois government who receive and approve the company's rate increase documentation. There is massive incompetence as some level, and I intend to find out where it is.

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    Reviewed July 20, 2011

    I signed up for high-deductible supplemental insurance with Pat in July of 2010. However, it did not become effective until November, when my Medicare became effective. Pat promised me excellent customer service and was always responsive before I actually signed on the dotted line. He even told me not to call the 800 number because he wanted to serve me personally.

    I recently received a letter indicating that my premium was going up in July "due to a change in your age." I called Pat two times to find out why my premium was going up in July and not in November, as that is the anniversary date of my policy and my birth month. Pat never returned my calls.

    I finally called the 800 number and was told my premium was going up in July since that was the month I signed up for the policy. I protested, indicating that my policy and premiums did not start until November and that is when the increase should become effective. This is five months too early and it adds up every year it happens. I didn't get anywhere and asked for a supervisor and she (Raquel) indicated she would have a "processor" review and get back to me in 10-15 days with a decision. That was on June 21 yet I have not received any call from her since that date.

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    Reviewed Nov. 9, 2009

    I purchased a Long-Term Care Policy from Banker’s Life & Casualty in 2001 at the age of 51.
    Banker’s Life has raised the annual premium to policyholders in my group by over 82%. As an alternative to paying the full increasing premium adjustment, Banker’s has offered to proportionately reduce the contracted benefits. Due to the drastic change in premiums and benefits, Banker’s also offers all policyholders to cancel the policy without a refund of the paid premiums! The basic premise by the insurance company to buy a long term care at such a young age was that I would be “locking” in a lower annual premium to receive three years of inflation indexed care benefits. This is a policy purchased for old age nursing home care coverage. If you’ve ever talked to a company about buying such a policy it’s not to different from a discussion about a whole life insurance policy. My original annual premium was $1,868.71 it is now $3,405.79. So much for locking in the premium and locking in future care benefits. To date I have paid $19,663.69 in total premiums. To date Banker’s has successfully unilaterally raised premiums and reduced benefits based on a paragraph on page 3 of the 14 page contract which reads: Renewal Premium We may change the premium rates for this policy. We can change the premium only if we change it for all policies like yours in your state on a class basis. We’ll provide you with written notice of any change in the premium in the time required by your state. This clause was never discussed prior to purchasing the policy nor was I required to initial such an important clause. I have subsequently learned that the insurance company has twice raised the premium because they made an error in calculation the actuarial loss ratio when they sold me the policy, again in 2007 and again in 2009. Banker’s Life is increasing the premiums so that I can pay for their error in forecasting claim losses. They can continue raising the premium to cover additional losses and I have the same lousy choices: pay the higher premium, accept lower benefits and still a higher premium, cancel the policy and forego the $20,000 in premiums paid to date. As individual policyholders are forced to cancel the policy because we can’t afford the excessive premium increases, Banker’s enjoys a windfall. Common sense would say that nobody would intentionally enter into such an onerous policy. Unfortunately, not only Bankers Life but State of Illinois Department of Insurance who is mandated to protect consumers from unfair business practices and bad business behavior, has refused to look beyond the revised calculations submitted by Banker’s Life required by State statute to support the higher premium. They ignore the unfair business practice and clear exploitation of policyholders. The long and short is that I’ve written everyone from Banker’s Life, our Governor, the State consumer protection departments, the States Attorney’s office, all our Senators and Congressman and the Tribune Op-Ed Editor … with everyone ignoring me or saying it’s not their concern or they can’t do anything. It is my opinion that all these government employees are complicit in the unfair business practices of Banker’s Life. If they aren’t willing to fight for the consumer they should not hold a position with just that mandate. I have proposed to Banker’s Life, the State Department of Insurance and all government officials that a fair resolution would be any of the following: Re-instate the original premiums and benefits without future increases as represented to policyholders when we purchased the policy. Cancel the policy with a full refund for premiums paid to date. You’ll note an argument by Banker’s and the State that a refund is not appropriate because if I filed a claim in the last 7 years I would have received the benefits. The fallacy here is they ignore the basic premise of selling me an old age care policy at the young age of 51 where neither they nor I intended to need for 15 or 20 years from purchase. I can send all prior correspondence to document my long battle in seeking fair restitution. Additionally all individuals seeking long term care insurance should be warned that this undisclosed premium device is not limited to Bankers Life. I would appreciate a response … good or bad. Thank you for your time and I am available to discuss any details.
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    Reviewed Oct. 30, 2009

    I have had the same experience as Kay of Spirit Lake, IA dated October 12, 2009.
    I am writing this complaint with the hope that I can help someone. I don't want you to experience what my Mother and I did with Bankers Life and Casualty Company. For all elderly people who buy a "long term care policy" from Bankers Life: You may think you are insuring that you will not have to go to a nursing home but you are certainly insuring that whoever cares for you will be in a living nightmare of paperwork and frustration. If you don't have a lawyer in the family who works for free, I would strongly suggest you stay away from this long term care policy. I started calling BL in March while my Dad was still in the hospital. Every time I called I got a different person with different, conflicting information about what was covered, who and how I could hire for help, when and what the policy would pay. The first thing I would tell anyone who has a claim is: The elimination period does not start until you hire a CNA or other licensed caregiver. The elimination period is not just a period of time but the period of time you have been paying out "covered" expenses. You need to know what constitutes "covered expenses" or they will not pay no matter how obvious the need. The "specialist" will not tell you up front whether an expense is covered or not. BL may require that you hire through an Agency. However, BL won't tell you before you hire someone whether you can hire direct or if you must hire through an Agency. If you are approved to hire a licensed caregiver direct, you can have them come as little as an hour a day until the elimination period is up. I wish I had known this back in March when I first started filing claims. The policy states that they will provide an agent and a plan coordinator to help file claims. I repeatedly asked for both by phone and mail. I did not get either an agent or a plan coordinator. The agent that sold the policy to my Mother and Father was long gone. I had no help. I promise you that edlerly people who are sick and in the "condition" as required by the policy to be eligible for claims could not even get through the automated phone system let alone ever get a claim paid. I have been caring for my Dad in my home since March 27 and still cannot get the claims paid. My Dad died last week and so far we have received two checks. The first check BL sent they immediately put on a "stop pay". If any lawyer ever takes a "class action" against BL, I hope they let me know.
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    Reviewed Oct. 12, 2009

    My Dad has a long term care policy... like the all the ads you here are pushing for your retirement... what a joke... my parents bought these with the greatest of intensions... but the agent and company not so upfront... they were never told that is a government agency pays that the policy would not... so they have paid this policy for all these years for nothing... because my dad is a WWII vet and they are now helping to pay some homehealth aid ... the insurance company will not pay... they said it was in the policy... but these are older people and they should have been told this by the selling agent... I will tell everyone I know not to waste their money on any long term care policy... because when you need it ...is when you find the loop holes in it that know one seemed to mention when it was purchased...I feel that this is an injustice to the older population ... they are just taking advantage of their willing to trust if a licensed insurance agent... They should of been told that up front... not to have to read this big policy and try and to figure it out for themselve... I read the policy now to see if I could find that clause ... I could not... I had to call the company and they had to point out were it was in the policy... I sold insurance a few years back and I could not see it until it was pointed out to me.. now you tell me how any older person would ever see that... it is a in justice to our older citizens...
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    Reviewed Jan. 18, 2009

    My Aunt has a Long Term Care policy with Bankers Life and Casualty. One year ago I started helping my Aunt with her Financial affairs and this year have taken them over. One year ago I contacted Anthony and explain that the latest increase from 2007 to 2008 was quite large, he explained that this was the first one in a very long time and it is not a common occurance.
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    Reviewed Nov. 7, 2008

    I had to change In Home services due to terrible service from "Right at Home Seniors" a national franchise. I switched my policy over to Guardian Angel Caregivers of Portland Oregon (503-698-2020)in early August 2008 and Bankers Life, my insurance company that pays for this service, told us it would take a month and a half at the most to switch over service and start sending checks. Steve Miller, President of Guardian Angels, mailed all the required documentation during the month of August to the above business address for Bankers life. Since then, both I, Khin Aung and Steve Miller have made many attempts to get an update on the progress of the transition. Each time either of us called, we get the same rehearsed answer, "nothing more is required of you, do not worry about it, it is being processed". It has now been over two and a half months and we still have no answer from this company.
    Steve Miller went to Phillip Sage, (503) 708-2546 or (503) 255-3624 ext 917 a banker life rep in Portland Oregon to help resolve the problem on Oct 15th 2008. Phillip called his company in Chicago and stated that the company has 72 hrs to approve or disapprove a new in home service so he requested that I fax him my state and federal business ID to help (even though Bankers Life stated these documents wern't needed) since the company hasn't realized that a transition even took place. He said they have all my paper work, including my original application with new IN Home service request, but no one has looked at it yet. Both of us (Khin Aung and Steve Miller)have called Phillip the bankers Life Agent several times since then and now he also isn't returning our calls to help hold Bankers Life accountable for no action. I called Bankers Life in Chicago today, Nov 7th, and they stated the same rehearsed line to just give them another week. We both have been hearing that for over a month. At this point we decided to stop service because of lack of payment to Guardian Angel Caregivers who has been providing service for 2 1/2 months. This leaves my husband, Dr Tin Aung at risk since he needs someone to be with him because of his health condition. Banker life representatives are elusive and take no accountability for their non-action and no one person seems to be in charge when a problem exist. Since they didn't fulfill the 72 hr approval time for the new in home service (Guardian Angel Caregivers) we are left confused and without one payment from Bankers Life for a policy I purchased years ago to cover the needs of my husband. I need Help with these issues I am having with Bankers Life because no one in their organiztion will except accountabilty or follow up. My husband is now out of service because the time has exceeded two and a half months with no effort from Bankers Life to pay for the service that has been provided. This new Agency has provided excellent service compared to the last agency I had but they can't keep providing service without payment. Thanks for any suggestions on how to resolve these issues with Bankers Life. Sincerely Khin Aung, wife of Dr Kin Aung who needs assistance
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    Bankers Life & Casualty Long-Term Care Insurance Company Information

    Company Name:
    Bankers Life & Casualty Life Insurance
    Year Founded:
    1879
    Address:
    111 E Wacker Dr Suite 2100,
    City:
    Chicago
    State/Province:
    IL
    Postal Code:
    60601
    Country:
    United States
    Website:
    www.bankers.com