November 7, 2007
CNN Money
Staff Reporter

Penn Treaty American Corporation , a pioneer in the long-term care insurance (LTCi) industry, has initiated the Wellness Privileges Program, offering wellness services designed to help policyholders live more healthy, independent lives.

Highlighting the wellness services is the Brain Fitness Program(TM), a computer-based mental exercise program that guides users through a series of exercises designed to help improve memory, strengthen communication, and sharpen thinking skills-with the ultimate goal of delaying the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Hailed as one of the “medical breakthroughs of the year” by CNBC, the program was developed by Posit Science (www.positscience.com) and is the first of its kind in the long-term care insurance industry.

“We’re eager to offer wellness tools that may help policyholders take control of their health and address concerns they may have about developing dementia as they age,” said Stephen LaPierre, executive vice president of Penn Treaty. “I believe that insurers have the responsibility to help policyholders move toward healthy, independent living well into their retirement years.”

In recently published studies, Posit Science reported that participants using the Brain Fitness Program(TM) showed statistically and clinically significant gains on standard cognitive batteries, while participants in control groups showed minimal or no gains. The gains are equivalent to 10 or more years of improved cognitive function, such as the ability to remember and with faster processing speed, among populations over age 60.

Tailored exclusively for Penn Treaty long-term care insurance policyholders, the Wellness Privileges Program will be rolled out over the next year and will be available to policyholders for free or at a discount.

In addition to the Brain Fitness Program(TM), the Wellness Privileges Program will offer lifestyle coaching, which is focused upon the policyholder’s specific health conditions and risks; an emergency response service that provides nationwide medical alerts and medical alarm systems; and critical disease screening, which includes heart, aorta, carotid artery scans and osteoporosis screenings for early detection of these problems.

Designed exclusively for Penn Treaty long-term care insurance policyholders, the Wellness Privileges Program will be rolled out over the next year. The various offerings under the Wellness Privileges Program will be available to policyholders for free or at a discounted rate.

“Penn Treaty has been a pioneer and innovator in providing long-term care insurance solutions for over 35 years. We are dedicated to improving the quality of life of the nation’s seniors,” LaPierre said. “We’re leading the way again with a new wellness program that sets an example for the industry.”