"Own Your Future"

Governor Culver Announces "Own Your Future" Program In Iowa

Insurance Division Earns Federal Grant to Provide Information for Consumers

DES MOINES – Iowa will provide people with important information they can use for planning their future, thanks to the state’s selection for federal funds designed to help provide access to a planning kit that will be useful as middle-aged Iowans consider their situations in the years to come.

“We encourage all Iowans to be aware of their future needs and to plan accordingly,” said Governor Culver. “We hope that when these letters show up in the next week or so, Iowans will submit the response card to receive the free information kit.”

Iowa is one of four states selected this year to receive support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for their “Own Your Future” campaigns. With the addition of the program in Iowa, a total of twenty-two states will have implemented this program in its four year history. This initiative works with the Governor and key state government agencies to provide residents between forty-five and sixty-five years old with a letter from the Governor encouraging the use of a response card or toll-free number to order a free information and planning kit. The kit will explain long-term care insurance as well as a variety of other methods that may be used to plan for and finance long-range health and care needs.

The mailing of the letters and the preparation and distribution of the planning kit are all provided by the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under a provision of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. The assistance is welcomed by the Insurance Division and its Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), as they continually strive to get out information that is useful to consumers.

"We’re excited.” said Susan Voss, Iowa’s Insurance Commissioner. “This is a great new program that will help Iowans easily access important information they’ll need as they consider long-term planning."

The Insurance Division and SHIIP were supported in their application by other state agencies, including the Iowa Department on Aging (IDA). One of the first cooperative ventures will be evident next week when the IDA and Governor’s booths at the State Fair distribute Own Your Future information in collaboration  with SHIIP’s “Boomers’ Booth” in the Varied Industries Building.

IDA Director John McCalley commented: “We know that Iowans are hungry for information about their choices in long-term supports and services. IDA’s outreach project last May generated nearly 2500 requests for planning information. Own Your Future addresses that need and, for the benefit of aging Iowans, IDA is glad to lend a hand to the campaign.”

Anyone interested in receiving this planning information can send in their response card when they receive it or can instead request it by calling the toll-free number, 1-866-PLAN-LTC or by Iowa’s Own Your Future website at www.ownyourfutureiowa.gov.