Group LTC Services, LLC is an independent brokerage committed to providing comprehensive consumer education and highly rated long- term care policies for individuals, associations and employer groups.  With more than 60 collective years of experience as long-term care insurance specialists, we are committed to providing the knowledge and service to help you find the solution that best meets your needs.

Melissa Barnickel, CPA, CLTC, Long Term Care Insurance Specialist

Melissa Barnickel is a CPA, a CLTC, (Certified in Long-Term Care), and a licensed insurance agent specializing in long-term care insurance.  As a principal in this independent brokerage, Melissa educates insurance agents and other professionals, businesses owners and employees, association members and individuals to understand the risk and help them select the right product and features that meet their individual needs. Melissa is Coordinator of the Maryland Long-Term Care Insurance Roundtable, Vice-President of Women in Insurance and Financial – Baltimore Chapter, President of Geriatric Assistance Information Network, a Commissioner for Harford County Commission for Women and member of Financial Planning Committee for MD Association of CPAs, Baltimore Estate Planning Council, Harford County Chamber of Commerce, Havre de Grace Chamber of Commerce, Life Planning Resources and Chesapeake Professional Women’s Network. 

Edward S. Hutman, CLTC, Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist
Edward Hutman is a CLTC, (Certified in Long-Term Care), and has been a licensed insurance agent specializing in long-term care insurance since 1990. He has actively encouraged education within the industry.  He was Program Chair in 2000 and 2001 for the Long-Term Care Insurance Program-Maryland Association of Health Underwriters Long-Term Care Conference. He was the Long-Term Care Insurance Chair for the 2005 Maryland State Insurance Expo.  He has been active in both group and individual long-term care insurance.  Ed was on the review committee for the America's Health Insurance Plans training course on long-term care.  He was part of the Long-Term Care Insurance Advisory Group to the Maryland Insurance Commissioner in 2007. Ed is currently the Education Chair for the Greater Washington Association of Health Underwriters.

Edward Kafes, RHU, LTCP, Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist
President, Interstate Health Underwriters, Inc.  Ed Kafes brings extensive health and LTC experience to Group LTC Services, LLC., having been active in the industry for over 40 years. He was one of the early marketers and educators in long-term care insurance.  He has advocated for consumers over the many years that he has served clients, acting as an advisor to the complaint department of the Maryland Insurance Administration and conducting numerous consumer and industry seminars regarding various long-term care insurance issues.  Ed specializes in helping businesses and individuals understand the relationship between Medicare, Medicare Supplements and long-term care insurance. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Baltimore Association of Health Underwriters.