Livingston Reporting - page 125

Health Insurance Plans Available Through Medicare

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Medicare and Medigap are health insurance plans sponsored by the federal government.  Being regulated by the government means that there is not a lot of leeway.  Much of Medicare is standardized and is the same throughout the United States however, Florida is unique.

The state of Florida is one of four states that allows the pricing of Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans to be based on the age of enrollees.  “Issue Age” standard states that your Medicare Supplement rates cannot increase every year as you age.  The price can fluctuate because of normal inflation which on average is between three to four percent each year.

Medicare enrollees also have the option to enroll in Medicare Advantage instead of Original Medicare and the addition of supplemental insurance.  Only 3 out of 10 Medicare participants choose Medicare Advantage.  Most participants choose this option especially when they are on a limited, fixed income.  The state of Florida has a rate higher rate of enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans.  In fact, two out of five Florida enrollees participating in Medicare choose Medicare Advantage.  The insurance coverage with Medicare Advantage is often not as comprehensive as what participants would have with Medicare and Supplemental Insurance Plans however, it is a more affordable option.

As mentioned previously, Supplemental Insurance Plans are standardized throughout the United States.  Thus, meaning no matter what insurance company the insurance is purchased through or what state it is purchased in the coverage of the plans remains the same.  Unlike with Medicare Advantage, Supplemental Insurance Plans do not limit the doctors and specialists you can visit.  Another major difference is that Medicare Advantage Plans are not standardized, although they are regulated.  With Advantage Plans you are limited to doctors and specialists within your network.  There are higher co-pays and deductibles than with Supplemental Plans however the premium each month is lower.

Unlike other states, Florida has a different pricing structure on their Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans. The plans that are priced the best are those with the best coverage.  These plans include, Medigap Plan F, Plans N and Plan F-HD.  If you are new enrollee within Medicare in Florida it is vital to investigate these three different supplemental plans before committing to a Supplemental Insurance Plan.  Medigap Plan F covers one hundred percent of your Medicare expenses; other than your premium enrollees do not have to cover out-of-pocket costs.  So, although the initial policy can be quite expensive it can pay off in the long run.

Learn more about Medigap plans and rates at http://emedigap-plans.com.  Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949!

Medigap Insurance Plans

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Costly Mistakes When Enrolling In Medigap

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

There are many mistakes that can be made when enrolling as a first time Medicare participant.  The instructions aren’t always so clear on exactly what is provided, what needs to be covered out of pocket by the enrollee, and how to find the coverage that is needed.    It is important that when participants come of age to be enrolled in Medicare they seek out advice from a Medicare Supplemental Insurance Broker to help them with the ins and outs of Medicare Plan A and Plan B along with helping compare the coverage of Supplemental Insurance.  A broker can help to make sure that participants don’t make costly mistakes and ensure that in the end they have the coverage they need for their unique situation.

Common Mistakes Made with Medicare

Often it is assumed that you are automatically enrolled in Medicare when you turn 65.  This is not the case however unless you are already enrolled on Social Security before you turn 65.  If you are not it is important that you begin the Medicare enrollment process at least three months before you turn 65.  This will help to ensure that you get the coverage you need when you need it.

Another mistake people make is to assume because all the paperwork has been completed with the Social Security office that your Medicare enrollment is all set.  Never assume that you are covered under Medicare until you know for sure that your paperwork is processed, and you see that you are showing up in the system. If you don’t you make sure that your coverage is in place you may find yourself without Medicare coverage.  When errors are not caught you can find yourself without insurance and paying a penalty to get your coverage instated.

Another misconception is that you need to be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B.  This is not the case when you are continuing your employer-sponsored health plan.  If you are enrolled in outside health insurance coverage, then you can put off enrolling in Medicare Part B.

Participants are often confused about when they need to enroll in Medicare Supplemental Plans.  Know that Medigap Insurance is guaranteed to Medicare Part A and Part B enrollees, guaranteed coverage, without penalty for the entire 6-month period after you have enrolled in Medicare Part B.  After this period is complete you no longer have guaranteed coverage.  Therefore, we say if you are enrolled in an employer plan you delay enrollment in Medicare Part B until this coverage runs out.  It prolongs the time you have guaranteed to enroll in Supplemental Insurance.

To avoid making mistakes when it comes to coverage within the Medicare program your best option is to meet up with a Medicare Insurance Broker who can help you with the ins and outs of the program.

Learn more about Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans, rates and more at http://www.emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com.  Medicare Supplemental Insurance brokers will help you compare Medicare Supplemental Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medicare coverage toll free 877-202-9248 today!

Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans

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Traits of a Superior Medical Equipment Service Company

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

There is substantial growth within the medical care industry.  The population of aging citizens is growing as well.  As this is occurring it is our responsibility as professionals to make sure we are keeping up with technological advancements which often means more complicated medical equipment and devices throughout a variety of care centers including radiation oncology departments.  It takes a unique person, with the right skill set, and work ethic to ensure facilities are successful in keeping linear accelerators, CT scanners, and other oncology equipment up and running to ensure on-time treatment.

Superior medical equipment repair providers all seem to posses’ similar qualities which allow facilities to maintain a high level of care without downtime due to equipment failure.  Some of these traits include:

Lovers of Technology: Repairing large scaled medical equipment is not quite like anything else.  Linear accelerators and other machines found in the radiation oncology department are complex and involve very complicated and detailed computer software and mechanical components.  Most often companies that perform these detailed tasks use computers to troubleshoot issues with equipment as well as being capable of performing hands on tasks that involve the nitty gritty nuts and bolts.

Detailed Oriented: Medical equipment performs jobs that humans are not capable of performing including pin pointing laser treatments for cancerous tumors while keeping healthy tissues safe.  When these machines breakdown the entire facility often comes to a stand-still.  This means it is crucial that a complete diagnosis and repair is completed the first time.  Good medical equipment technicians provide repair solutions efficiently and can identify even the tiniest thing is out of whack on medical equipment throughout the radiation department.

Solvers of Problems: Imagine having to solve a problem that has never been solved before.  These are the mysteries that medical equipment repair specialists deal with daily.  The problems and repairs that need to be done are usually a first of there kind and need to be able to be diagnosed properly and remedied quickly as not to affect downtime and patient care.

Reliable: When working within the medical industry in any capacity it is crucial that you are reliable, on-time, and ready to get down to business when needed. Other people’s lives are dependent on you being able to complete yours.  Even if you are not in the direct line of patient care your job is of critical importance.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts, call 610.524.3300.

Acceletronics

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Invest In Home Improvement To Boost Your Home’s Value

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When it comes to spending money on home improvements there are renovations that are done to boost a homes value while other remodeling projects are done only to bring more enjoyment.  In this installment on home improvement we will discuss ways to increase the value of your home.

  • Curb Appeal/Front Yard Makeover

So many updates can be done on the exterior of the home from major home improvements such as the installation of new siding or windows to smaller renovation such as the installation of new pavers to create a walkway or some colorful planters.  People do judge your home based on their first impression, so it is important to take pride in it, allow it to stand out from the others, and add some bright colors with the addition of flowers.

  • HVAC/Furnace Replacement

No one really thinks about furnaces or central air conditioners when considering ways to improve their homes but truly it is a great way to add value while offering new home buyers’ peace of mind upon seeing new systems in place.  There are several rebates on energy saving heating and cooling systems, not to mention the rebates and tax savings.  This is an improvement to consider making especially if you plan on being in the home for a while.

  • Adding Insulation

If your home doesn’t have enough insulation adding blow in insulation to the attic helps to keep your home warm in the winter and cold in the summer.  Adding in insulation to your homes attic can be relatively inexpensive while offering you energy savings.  Attic insulation and updating caulking around doors and windows can save you a bundle of cash over the course of a year.

  • Bring in The Light

An easy way to brighten up a space is with the addition of lighting.  The addition of recessed lighting with a dimmer switch is a great way to make a dramatic change without adding too much of a good thing.

  • Renovate Plumbing and Electrical

Improving the guts of your home is always a good investment.  If the home has rusty old iron pipes, then replace the plumbing.  New flexible tubing makes replacing plumbing easier than ever.  It is true that there is no reason to put money into a home when the mechanics are faulty.  New homeowners always fret at the scary thought that the electrical or plumbing needs updating.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

Kearns Brothers

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PC Repair: Is Your Computer Ready for A Trip into The Shop?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Your personal computer contains a great deal of personal and private information.  When it needs to go in for service there can be a great deal of anxiety with leaving it in the hands of a computer repair technician.  Not only will they have access to your password-protected accounts, technicians will be performing complicated procedures that can often include your computers hard drive.  Thus, it is important to take necessary precautions to ensure that your computer and its data are protected before it is services to avoid any unnecessary disasters resulting in lost data.

Preparing Your PC for A Trip into The Computer Repair Shop

  • Store Important Information on The Cloud: Many people cannot live without their personal computers or the information on them, so it is inevitable that you will more likely than not need to access to the info on the PC while it is in for repair. To be able to accomplish this it is vital to add current projects into a folder on the cloud such as Dropbox or OneDrive.  This allows the files to be accessed from another source at any time.
  • Backup: A backup of your PC is always important but never as much as when your computer is going in for repairs, just in case something was to happen that damages the hard drive. This ensures that the data files can be restored, and your computer returned to its original state. When a backup is restored it is important that the original image was not the cause of the initial need for service.
  • Protection of Sensitive Materials: For most of us there is information stored within our PC’s that we don’t want people to see or have access to. Some of this could include bank statements, credit card information, tax forms, or anything that is potentially “embarrassing” to you or those to stumble upon it.  These files should either be removed, after you have securely backed them up to an external source or encrypted.
  • Be Prepared for An Unexpected Diagnosis: Many times, over we self-diagnosis our computer problems without much to go on.   Even after talking with the PC repair technician we often have a false sense of what is wrong based on their best guess given they have yet to dive in to the system for a proper diagnosis.  It is vital to be prepared for a diagnosis that is different than what you had anticipated; also meaning the time frame for fixing said issue could be significantly different.

Often the trip to have your computer worked on will go smoother than anticipated but it is always important to be prepared for the inevitable.

Learn more about Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, and the IT solutions they provide including IT consulting, computer consulting, network consulting, networking, server installation, IT disaster recovery, computer repair, virus removal, malware removal, computer tune ups, data backup systems, computer troubleshooting, structured cabling, low voltage wiring, website design, graphic design, logo design, website hosting, search engine placement, iphone app programming, android app programming, and custom programming at www.cpsmi.com.  To contact one of our IT experts, call 810.224.5252 today or via email at info@cpsmi.com.

Creative Programs and Systems

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Understanding Reverse Osmosis Solutions

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Nothing says freshness the same way a glass of clear glass of tap water does.  Many homeowners seek a solution to bring clean, fresh water to their homes drinking water and with the right water filtration system it is possible.  Every single drop of water that exits the faucets throughout your home can be used as pure quality drinking water when the right water treatment system for your homes water is used.

Choosing a water treatment system is not something most homeowners know enough about to make an educated purchase.  It is crucial to meet with a water quality expert, such as the ones that can be found at Reynolds Water Conditioning who can test a sample of your homes water.  This will allow them to do an analysis on the quality of the water coming from each faucet and find the perfect combination of water treatment solutions to ensure a clean, clear glass of quality tap water each time. One popular option that offers high quality drinking water from your sinks tap is a reverse osmosis water treatment system.

How does reverse osmosis work?

The reverse osmosis water treatment systems operate by forcing water through a filter and eliminating impurities within the water.

How is reverse osmosis water treatment different?

Standard reverse osmosis water treatment systems work by filtering water through one of three or more filters to remove impurities such as chlorine, contaminants like metal and nitrates, and another to eliminate compounds that often result in foul odors and tastes.  Additional filters can be found on RO water treatment solutions with the water in your home requires further filtration.  These additional filters can include filtration of arsenic, pesticides, organic compounds, and percolates.  Filters can even be added to put important minerals back in to the homes water that aren’t necessarily good for your homes plumbing.  This again depends on the original quality of your homes water.

What are the benefits of treating water through reverse osmosis?

The smell and taste of a homes water is what usually is what triggers homeowners to have the water tested.  However, there are quite a few other containments that can be hiding in your water that would be better for you not to consume.  RO systems offer you a certain comfort in your homes drinking water, free of contaminants unseen with the naked eye.  Reverse osmosis water treatment solutions save homeowners money overtime by allowing them to adequality use the water within their homes rather than purchasing bottled water.

At Reynolds Water Conditioning Company, we are here to help make sure our clients don’t buy water treatment systems that they don’t need.  We are here to make sure you find a water softening system that gives you the results you are looking for, whether it is to remove iron or odor from you water; we have a solution that will help!  For more information contact our experts at 800.572.9575 or at our website https://reynoldswater.com.

Reynolds Water

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Customizing Aluminum Fencing for Your Home

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

No longer are dreams of white picket fences but instead dreams of low maintenance, durability, and curb appeal.  Homeowners can get this through the installation of aluminum fencing as it brings with it a more current feel than is found in other materials.  Another benefit found with the purchase and installation of aluminum fencing is the ability to design it yourself.  Each detail of your aluminum fence can be customized to compliment your home.

Aluminum fencing offers several benefits to homeowners.  Its durability can make a 20-year-old aluminum fence look like it was just installed; aluminum fences sleek designs ensure a look that will compliment every style home.   Literally every detailed from the color of the aluminum to the decorative style of your fence can be designed to meet your exact needs and show off your unique home.

Design Choices in Aluminum Fencing

  • Fence Heights: One of the most important jobs your homes fence has is to accomplish the purpose it is there to serve. From guarding the swimming pool’s perimeter to defining backyard boundaries if the fence doesn’t serve its purpose it is useless no matter how stunning it is.  This is one of the reasons the height of your aluminum fence is an important consideration as you begin planning for your new fence.
  • Fence Grades: When purchasing an aluminum fence, you have several options when it comes to the grade of fencing you choose. Residential and commercial aluminum fencing comes in 4 distinct grades including: classic (residential), resort (pool), premier (commercial), and ultimate (industrial).  The grade of the fence that you choose will depend on the strength and thickness of the fence desired, the picket size, and length of aluminum fence panels desired.
  • Fence Styles: There are eighteen different styles of fencing through online aluminum fence supplier iFenceUSA. For a more contemporary appeal you have the option of a three-rail design without pickets or a for a more exquisite look you can try something with Excelsior finial peaks which offer a timeless look; with iFenceUSA you have several ornamental aluminum fencing styles to choose from.
  • Fence Colors: Aluminum fencing comes in a variety of unique color options. Classic black is always a favorite but rest assured that if you are looking to add character and appeal with color, aluminum fencing has you covered.  Options include several matte and gloss varieties of white, bronze, green, beige, sandstone, and black.
  • Fence Options: Some of the most popular options in aluminum fence relate to the spacing of the aluminum pickets, the addition of bottom railings, special post caps, and more.  The options that you choose will depend on your unique goals.  For home owners with small dogs, puppy pickets may be ideal whereas people with small children may choose extreme pickets that feature pickets that are closer together to prevent easy climbing.

iFenceUSA is an online manufacturer and distributor of wholesale aluminum fencing. With over 18 styles of aluminum fence panels and gates to choose from, we have aluminum fences that will meet your wants and need.  Choose from custom aluminum fencing options including: Commercial Grade Aluminum Fencing, Residential Grade Aluminum Fencing, Pool Grade Aluminum Fencing, and Industrial Aluminum Fencing all at https://ifenceusa.com/.  For more information contact one of our aluminum fence experts toll free 800.762.2907 or via email at info@ifenceusa.com.

iFenceUSA

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Medicare Mistakes That Can Cost You

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans are devised to aid people to pay for their additional health care expenses. These policies are blessings to those who are suffering from certain medical ailments. However, for some people, a Medicare Supplement Plan can prove to be costly because of common mistakes they make. Wondering what these mistakes are? You will find your answer in this post. Continue reading!

Not Choosing the Right Policy

One of the biggest mistake people make when buying Medicare Supplement Plans is that they choose the wrong policy. Thus, not all medical expenses are covered. As a result, they must pay for them and the plan isn’t as effective for them as they had thought of.  It is important to thoroughly compare different Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, know their details and make the decision accordingly.

Not Signing Up at the Right Time

This is another common mistake made by people that cost them in the long run. People who have already received social security are automatically signed up for Medicare. However, for those who haven’t, it is important to sign up at the right time to avoid facing premium penalties.

Not Signing Up for Part D

Some people believe that buying Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans Part D is a mere waste of money if they don’t use prescribed drugs. However, this is a mistake that can cost them a fortune. This is because no one can predict the injuries or diseases they may suffer from in the future for which they require the use of prescribed drugs that can burn a hole in their pockets. Therefore, it is advised to sign up for part D so to avoid late penalties and get expensive drugs easily in case of emergency.

Not Paying Attention to Annual Notice of Change

All those people who have signed up for Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D, they receive notice of change in September every year. This notice contains vital information about changes in premiums and coverages. It is important to carefully read this notice of change and compare the premium price and coverage details of the current year with the next year. This will help you to decide whether you need to change your plan or stick to the current one. However, many people tend to ignore this notice of change and end up paying more for their Medicare policy.

There you go! These are some of the common mistakes that the owners of Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans make and end up paying a lot more than they should. It is firmly recommended to avoid making any of these mistakes with regards to your Medicare policies so that you can avail the maximum benefits out of them without disturbing your budget a great deal.

Learn more about Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans, rates and more at http://www.emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com.  Medicare Supplemental Insurance brokers will help you compare Medicare Supplemental Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medicare coverage toll free 877-202-9248 today!

Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans

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Does Medigap Cover Issues with Mental Health

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

As people get older and become eligible for Medicare, they may be concerned about which parts of their health care costs will be covered and which parts they will be completely responsible for.  This is especially true when it comes to coverage for mental health, as those visits can become quite expensive over time.

Medicare Part A does cover mental health care, but each inpatient service will require the patient to pay their deductible.  There is also a coinsurance charge for any days of hospitalization past sixty, and no one will receive benefits for over one hundred and ninety days of mental health hospitalization in their lifetime.

Medicare Part B will cover outpatient mental health services, but there is a deductible that everyone is required to meet as well as copays.  However, one mental health screening is allowed each year at no cost to the patient.

At this point, many seniors will be wondering how they will be able to afford to pay for their medical bills, but that is where Medigap insurance can be a huge help.

Inpatient hospitalizations are still the same with Medigap as they are with Medicare Part A as to how many days are covered.  However, there is a chance that extended visits will be approved through a person’s Medigap coverage.  Medigap will cover all of Medicare Part A’s coinsurance and copays, and most of the Medigap plans will cover the deductible as well.

The exceptions to the inpatient deductible being paid out by Medigap are that Medigap Plan A will not cover it at all, and Plan K requires the patient to pay fifty percent while Plan L requires a person to pay twenty-five percent.

Almost every Medigap plan will cover the copays and coinsurance that a person is responsible for from their Medicare Part B coverage, but only Medigap Plans C and F will cover the deductible portion of Medicare Part B.  Medigap Plan N will require the patient to pay a copay for each of their doctor’s visits, while Plan K requires the patient to pay fifty percent, while Plan L requires a payment of twenty-five percent from the patient.

As for all the excess charges that a person receives, mainly from a doctor that doesn’t accept Medicare assignments, those are only covered by Medigap Plans F and G.

This shows how important it is for seniors to purchase the proper Medigap insurance as soon as they are eligible for it.  Everyone will want to do their research to see which option will benefit them the most, so that they do not find themselves drowning in medical debt due to purchasing the wrong type of Medigap insurance plan.

Learn more about Medigap plans and rates at http://emedigap-plans.com.  Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans.  To talk to an expert in Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949!

Medigap Insurance Plans

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Finding Parts and Services for Medical Equipment Repair

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Healthcare businesses will often find that while their oncology equipment is in excellent shape, there comes a time when something will breakdown or break all together.  When that happens, there is usually a ruckus, because then someone needs to find out who sells parts or services their linear accelerator or other oncology equipment.  While this may seem easy, it is not as easy as it appears, especially because the company that is hired must excel in the work that they do and the oncology equipment parts that they provide.

There are numerous linear accelerator parts and oncology equipment parts that are needed when things go wrong, and Radparts has more than sixty-five thousand parts in our warehouse.  That means that whatever you and your patients need, we have it in stock and ready to use.

Whether your linear accelerator needs a new MLC motor, console keyboard, or a new pump, you will not need to spend days waiting for a replacement.  Instead of shuffling patients around, and trying to fulfill their needs, you can have your oncology equipment repaired quickly and be ready for your next patient right away.

Knowing where to find parts for your oncology equipment and knowing who can service them all is key to keeping your patients safe and healthy during their treatments.  You never want to take a risk and use a linear accelerator or any other oncology equipment that has a broken or missing part, as that can put your patients in danger.

Instead, you will want to inspect your linear accelerator and other oncology equipment every day and have routine maintenance and outside inspections completed too.  The sooner you notice an issue, the easier it will be to have everything fixed and up and running again.  After all, no oncology unit will be able to function properly without this equipment and patients can suffer significantly from a broken-down machine as well.

Whether you have a brand-new linear accelerator or a completely refurbished one, you will want to have someone on hand for service and parts right away.  While you may hope that you do not need their services for a long time, you will quickly find that things do not always work out the way that you plan.  Therefore, a little pro-action will go a long way when the inevitable does happen and you need linear accelerator parts or other oncology equipment parts and services.

Learn more about Radparts and the variety of services and parts they offer to repair medical equipment including: linear accelerators parts, CT scanners parts, linac parts, and radiation oncology equipment at www.radparts.com.  To contact one of our medical equipment repair specialists for parts or service call toll free 877.704.3838 for 24/7/365 support.

RadParts

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