Livingston Reporting - page 76

Who is Eligible for Medicare?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Medicare has been around for 55 years, providing health insurance to Americans 65 and older as well as those with disabilities. The process of qualifying for the program is not automatic. Read more to find out whether you are eligible.

People 65 or older

  • If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident for at least five years and
  • You are receiving Social Security or railroad retirement benefits or have worked long enough to be eligible but have not yet collected
  • You or your spouse is a government employee/retiree who has not paid into Social Security but paid Medicare payroll taxes while employed

People 64 and younger

  • If you have been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months (inconsecutive is okay) or
  • You receive a disability pension from the Railroad Retirement Board and meet specific rules or
  • You have Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), which qualifies you immediately or
  • You have permanent kidney failure (regular dialysis or a kidney transplant), and you or your spouse has paid Social Security taxes for a period determined by your age

Other ways
If you are a legal U.S. citizen or have been a resident for at least five years, you can receive full Medicare benefits at age 65 or older. You have to buy into them by:

  • Paying premiums for Part A: hospital insurance. The amount you have to pay depends on how long you have worked; the more work, the higher your credit amount. The credits are based on your income and the amount of time it takes to earn a credit change every year. In 2020, one work credit was earned for every $1,410 in earnings, a maximum of four credits per year. The maximum premium is paid ($458 in 2020) if you accrued less than 30 work credits. If you have 30 to 39 credits, you pay less. If you gain 40 credits and continue working, you will no longer pay these premiums.
  • Paying consistent monthly premiums as other Part B enrollees: doctor visits and other outpatient services. In 2020, the amount totals $144.60 for those with an income of $87,000 or less. Those filing a joint tax return with $174,000 in revenue or less also have the same total amount. Rates increase for those with higher incomes.
  • Paying the same monthly premium for Part D: prescription drug coverage.

To enroll in Part B, you do not have to register in Part A. If you buy Part A, you must also enroll in Part B. Part D can be purchased if you are enrolled in either Part A or B. You cannot enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or buy a Medigap supplemental insurance policy unless you are enrolled in both Parts A and B.

For more information, head to the Eligibility & Premium Calculator at Medicare.gov. To enroll in Medicare or learn about your options, contact the experts at Omega Benefit Strategies today.

Omega Benefit Strategies provides senior credit union members an educational resource for Medicare. Our turnkey marketing package seamlessly integrates with existing market strategies. We can help businesses increase new member acquisitions, bolster retention, cross-sell opportunities via our “scorecard” system, and even earn an ancillary revenue stream. Accommodating any size membership, we maintain exemplary member service and offer top-notch products. Contact us today by going to www.omegabenefitstrategies.com or call 888-404-5049.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Omega

CDC Investigates Whether COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Is Decreased by PFAS Exposure

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A letter addressed to Michigan State Representative Dan Kildee from Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is “assessing the intersection between PFAS exposure and COVID-19” by investigating whether exposure to these “forever chemicals” affects potential effectiveness and duration of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Healthcare workers and first responders are first under the CDC study. ATSDR will measure PFAS levels in participants to determine a link between PFAS in their blood and the likelihood of contracting COVID-19. The connection of PFAS levels and antibody response to the coronavirus will give insight into the impact of PFAS levels and the potential duration of vaccine protection.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl fluorinated substances called PFAS are dubbed “Forever Chemicals” due to the chemical bonds that hold the compounds together (about 5,000 substances) which never break down in the environment. For many reasons (including factory and facility discharge), PFAS have been found in drinking water throughout the United States. Over 1,400 communities in 49 states have detected PFAS in their drinking water, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). This equates to roughly 110 million Americans drinking PFAS-contaminated water. PFAS can be found everywhere; they are in hundreds of products such as food-delivery containers and papers, nonstick cookware, stain-resistant clothing, carpets, furniture, fireproof items, clothes, cosmetics, personal care products, and so much more. Tiny doses of PFAS are linked to cancer, reproductive and immune system damage, weight gain, and a plethora of other diseases. It is estimated that PFAS are found in the blood of 99.9 percent of all human beings on earth, including newborn babies.

Some populations are at risk of being exposed to higher levels of PFAS than others, such as firefighters, military personnel, and communities with PFAS-contaminated drinking water or factories nearby. According to an analysis by the EWG, every organ is affected by PFAS exposure, but the immune system is especially vulnerable. Studies have shown a weaker response to tetanus and diphtheria vaccinations in adults.

Dr. Philippe Grandjean led the study on PFAS exposure and its relation to a diminished response to tetanus and diphtheria vaccinations. Recently, an article he wrote in The Guardian expressed fears regarding the possibility for people with high levels of PFAS to experience similar reactions to a COVID-19 vaccine. Grandjean said, “People with high exposure to PFAS have non-protective and very low antibody levels after four vaccinations for diptheria and tetanus. So if a vaccine for COVID-19 is similar, the PFAS will likely inhibit the response from a vaccine. But it is unknown at this stage.”

To learn more, read the full report from EWG. For an in-depth chemical analysis of your drinking water or to purchase a filter, contact the experts at Reynolds Water today.

Reynolds Water Conditioning was established in 1931 and is Michigan’s oldest water conditioning treatment company. Still owned and operated by the Reynolds family, we take pride in providing the highest quality products at a cost-effective price. If your tap water lacks the quality you deserve, contact us today at www.reynoldswater.com or call 800-572-9575.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Reynolds Water

Early Detection of Parkinson’s Disease Possible from an Eye Exam

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) machine learning technology in addition to a simple eye exam could detect early signs of Parkinson’s disease, according to research presented by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

A progressive disease of the central nervous system, Parkinson’s affects millions of people across the world. Tremors, muscle stiffness, and impaired balance are generally key markers of the disease. Once these symptoms are present, patients are already experiencing significant disease progression. Parkinson’s disease also affects the microscopic blood vessels in the retina. These markers provide an opportunity for AI to inspect images of the eyes for signs of the disease meticulously.

In a study by the University of Florida, researchers enabled an AI machine to analyze photographs of the back of the eye in two patients with Parkinson’s disease and two control participants. The AI was a type of Support Vector Machine (SVM) that has been around since 1989.

The SVM AI was able to classify Parkinson’s disease based on the blood vessels in the retina. Smaller blood vessels showed that changes in brain physiology can be detected in the eye. This novel discovery varies from the more traditional approach of diagnosing Parkinson’s disease.

With an overall goal to catch Parkinson’s disease cases sooner in its progression, researchers believe the new AI technology will help them better understand the disease on the path to finding a cure or slow its progression.

Moreover, other diseases that affect brain structure, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis, could be identified in the future.

To schedule your next eye exam, contact the experts at Rohr Eye & Laser Center today.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Michigan Lasik

2020’s Hot Gadget: The Computer

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The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people to hunker down inside, spending time in front of various screens. From TVs to tablets, many of us have resorted to this form of entertainment to pass the time. Countless people now work from home instead of heading into an office…which means even more screen time. The days of picking out school outfits are gone, too, as thousands of students across the world are now attending class online.

One gadget answering the call, both figuratively and literally, those dusty computers and laptops have become even more essential to our lives. Computers have experienced a spike in popularity, as many of us are typing, clicking, scrolling, and (definitely) paying attention in class. Our daily activities have morphed from physical to socially-distanced, a change our computers and laptops can seamlessly integrate and accommodate.

As we all garner a renewed appreciation for our personal computers, their adaptability is what truly stands the test of time.

International Data Corporation (IDC) reported that the first half of 2020 saw a resurgence in the PC and tablet markets. Supply cannot keep up with demand, primarily driven by pandemic lockdowns and remote working/learning. It is predicted that the market will expand by 3.3 percent, with shipment volumes climbing to 425.7 million units.

To read more, peruse The New York Times article. For all of your computer questions or troubleshooting issues, contact the PC experts at Creative Programs and Systems.

Founded in 1994, Creative Programs and Systems provides professional results for all computer needs. We design, create, and code an array of custom software programs and websites; implement internet marketing strategies for enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) results; repair and provide support for computers of both residential and professional nature; build custom systems and servers, and offer secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call us at 810-224-5252 or e-mail info@cpsmi.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Creative Programs and Systems

Acceletronics is Proudly a US-Exclusive Distributor of CNERGY

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New solutions were discovered through a collaboration of partners in radiotherapy. CNERGY is an innovative solution for “Quality Assurance & Safety,” “Precision, Imaging, and Viewing,” “Patient Identification and Monitoring,” and “Advanced Couch Setup and Control.” These solutions were created in response to specific practical issues, employing the latest guaranteed technologies. Joining these forces will deliver synergistic precision and safety for radiologists and patients.

Accurate and safe radiotherapy treatments are achieved using CNERGY Quality Assurance and Safety. Patients are positioned in the most effective way based on image verification or CBCT registration results. This ensures safety margins are reduced around the target and critical organs. The entire workflow is secured using interlocks.

Radiotherapy treatments are unique; with CNERGY Precision, Imaging and Viewing Solutions, the best treatment will be applied. Total body treatments, fast double 2D kV, or MV imaging are all offered under CNERGY’s exclusive Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) abilities that correctly verify the patient’s position.

A crucial aspect of radiotherapy is Patient Identification and Monitoring. CNERGY ensures the correct patient receives the proper treatment. The most advanced techniques are implemented to help radiotherapy clinics abide by all current regulations.

Advanced Couch Setup and Control is a unique CNERGY solution encompassing six degrees of freedom corrections in clinic settings. The same software and user interface allow patients to be treated easily. No extra workload is needed, so non-stereotactic patients can be positioned with precision.

To learn more about the CNERGY solution, visit our website.

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Acceletronics

Manufacturers Share their Most Popular Electrician Tools

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While most jobs require specific tools that vary by type or need, most electricians carry a few essential tools for basic settings. Here are the most popular tools purchased in the industry as specified by each manufacturer below.

Manual Hand Tools

Klein Tools
– NCVT-1 noncontact voltage tester
– 11045 wire stripper and cutter
– 32500 11-in-1 multibit screwdriver and nut driver set

Channellock
– Straight-jaw, tongue-and-groove pliers
– Round-nose linemen’s pliers
– Insulated grip, long-nose pliers

Milwaukee Tool
– Fish tapes
– Electric fish sticks
– Conduit benders

Southwire Tools and Equipment
– Simple PET fish tape
– S7N1HD multitool pliers
– S1018SOL stainless steel wire stripper

Power Tools

Bosch
– 12V Max EC brushless Flexiclick 5-in-1 drill/driver system
– 18V EC brushless Freak 2-in-1 bit/socket impact driver
– 18V EC brushless SDS-Plus Bulldog rotary hammer

DeWalt
– DCE151 20V Max XR cordless cable stripper
– DCE700 60V Max cordless pipe threader
– DCN701 20V Max cordless cable stripper

Hilti
– SID 4-A22 impact driver
– SCM 22-A cordless metal saw
– Cordless hydraulic cutting, crimping, and knockout tool set

Milwaukee Tool
– Crimping tools
– Cable cutters
– Knockout tools

Testers

Fluke Corp.
– Digital multimeters
– Clamp meters
– Basic electrical testers

Megger
– 1kV insulation tester
– Digital low-resistance ohmmeter
– Thermal camera

To find out more about these tools in-depth, read the original article from Electrical Contractor. For electrical equipment replacement products, contact the experts at J&P Electrical today.

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

J & P Electrical Company

Medicare Advantage VS Medicare Supplement Plans

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Entering Medicare can be confusing, intimidating, and might leave you feeling vulnerable. There are countless predatory insurance companies and salespeople trying to win you over. It’s crucial for those 65 years old or over to stay informed regarding all options and make the best decisions possible in order to get the most bang for your buck. Navigating through the Medicare Advantage versus Medicare Supplement (also known as Medigap) plans is easier than you think. Read on for our pro- and con- list.

Medicare Advantage plans are cheap, but they automatically un-enroll you from original Medicare.

Pros:

  • Monthly premiums are relatively inexpensive, with some costing $0 per month.
  • Part D drug plans are usually included (for convenience, not efficiency.)
  • Fitness memberships or other incentives are sometimes included.

Cons:

  • Small and intricate medical networks determine your available medical providers. You most likely will have to change your doctor to become “in-network” before claims are covered.
  • Extremely high out-of-pocket costs (OPCs) if you aren’t in perfect health.
  • If OPCs rise due to illness or injury, you cannot revert to original Medicare, thereby paying the high OPCs eternally.
  • Network restrictions equal limited nationwide coverage. Insurance is usually not applicable in remote medical facilities, so traveling is an issue. For example, The Mayo Clinic will not take Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans cost more, but the coverage they provide is exemplary.

Pros:

  • Almost everything is covered, depending on your plan. OPCs are relatively low/non-existent.
  • Eligibility allows you to enroll in a supplement plan, not only during the Annual Election Period.
  • Coverage is easier to comprehend and predictable.
  • Doctors usually accept original Medicare and your corresponding supplement plan.
  • Is almost always accepted nationwide.

Cons:

  • Medicare supplement plans are more expensive than Medicare Advantage plans.

With either choice, you can continue to pay a monthly Part B premium to Medicare. The main things to consider are:

  1. Do you want the choice of any provider or are you willing to choose a provider from within a network?
  2. Would you rather buy a separate prescription drug plan or get drug coverage included in one plan?
  3. Would you rather pay higher monthly premiums and have lower out-of-pocket costs for services or pay a low monthly premium and co-pays for services as you use them?

Your Medicare needs are personal. Navigating through the options can be confusing and misleading. To talk to a professional and learn more about Medicare, contact the experts at Senior Health Medicare today. Our agents are ready and available to help you make the best decision possible…for your health and wellbeing.

Senior Health Medicare is a superior resource for Medicare guidance, information, and ongoing client support. Selecting a Medicare plan is not a flippant decision. It requires annual revisiting and re-evaluating in order for the client to stay in the most cost-effective coverage. Senior Health Medicare is here to serve as your resource through all the years to come. Contact us today at 888-404-5049 or visit us on the web at www.seniorhealthmedicare.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Senior Health Medicare

Five Reasons Why Credit Unions Should Shift Marketing Efforts to Baby Boomers

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Many credit unions currently focus marketing efforts on millennials, as they will soon make up 75% of the United States workforce. However, baby boomers are presently in need of support, information, and tend to have more disposable income. Continue reading to find out why baby boomers should be your target marketing effort.

  1. Spending: Baby boomers already spend the most among the U.S. generations and will continue to increase over the next two decades. Researchers estimate that within 20 years, baby boomer spending will reach 60 percent, while millennial expenditures will increase by 25 percent.

  2. Engagement: Baby boomers are more adept at personal engagement and are highly attentive to topics they care about. Since many of them are approaching retirement, they take opportunities to learn and understand the landscape they are entering. They prefer phone calls or personal touches as opposed to millennials, who are more adept at virtual and technological avenues.

  3. Loyalty: Baby boomers are incredibly loyal, especially when it comes to brands. Millennials make brands and companies work a lot harder to keep them, while baby boomers are known to be faithful and make referrals when they are satisfied. These customers buy about 66 percent more than non-loyal members throughout the membership.

  4. Volume: Half of the entire U.S. population is 50 or older; 10,000 people are aging into government systems such as Medicare and Social Security daily. The largest wave of baby boomers (those born in 1957) will peak in 2022, increasing numbers until that time. Retirement information is sought out as a valuable resource.

  5. Targeting: You can reach millennials through baby boomers. Most baby boomers influence their loved ones – especially kids and grandkids – millennials included. They have close relationships with their children and are influential in their brand and product choices. In fact, 63 percent of millennials use all or many of the same brands as their elders.

For more information or to speak with a representative about directing your marketing efforts to baby boomers, contact the strategists at Omega today.

Omega Benefit Strategies provides senior credit union members an educational resource for Medicare. Our turnkey marketing package seamlessly integrates with existing market strategies. We can help businesses increase new member acquisitions, bolster retention, cross-sell opportunities via our “scorecard” system, and even earn an ancillary revenue stream. Accommodating any size membership, we maintain exemplary member service and offer top-notch products. Contact us today by going to www.omegabenefitstrategies.com or call 888-404-5049.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Omega

A Brief History of Swimming Pools

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The earliest public water tank in the ancient world is the Great Bath. Found in the 1920s, it existed more than 5,000 years ago in Mohenjo-Daro (a core epicenter of the Indus civilization) Pakistan. Measuring almost 40 feet by 23 feet with a depth of nearly eight feet, two sweeping staircases lead down into the pool. Its significance is unknown, but historians generally link it to ritualistic or religious bathing of sorts. The ancient city featured numerous baths (most homes had restrooms) and a complex sewage system, suggesting that cleanliness and bathing was a priority for the indigenous people.

Ancient Greeks and Romans perfected the pool landscape, as individual wealth increased and luxuries were effortlessly implemented. Beyond aesthetic and enhancement of the property, pools were also used for bathing, war training, maintaining health, religious ceremonies, socializing, and much more. “Palaestra” were ancient Greek open-court wrestling or boxing sites that usually included pools for exercising, bathing, or socializing. Plato felt that every Greek child needed to learn how to swim along with a proper education in mathematics, writing, astronomy, etc. Starting in 400 B.C., it was standard to teach children to swim in pools.

In the 1800s, the British National Swimming Society introduced competitive swimming. New swimming strokes and kicking techniques were introduced, which lead to increased speed. In 1896, the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece introduced swimming as its own event.

Texas houses one of the oldest in-ground pools in America. Deep Eddy Pool in Austin has a bathhouse built during the Depression by the Works Progress Administration. Today, it’s still a popular pool maintained by the City of Austin. It is listed as a historic landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1907, the first recorded above-ground swimming pool was constructed by the Philadelphia Racquet Club. It, too, is on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.

The first pool to cross the Atlantic Ocean was installed on the Adriatic cruise ship from White Star Lines in 1907. The sister ship, The Titanic, also boasted a pool.

Following World War II, swimming pools became mainstream in America. They can be found in nearly every country in the world. The National Swimming Pool Foundation estimates more than 10 million swimming pools across America, including more than 360,000 year-round pools.

Pound Pool Plastering offers free estimates and complete pool renovations. Dale Pound, owner, personally oversees each pool project to ensure the highest quality is delivered. We offer Diamond Brite, Sunstone, Hydrazzo, Marcite, Pebble finishes, Bead Crete, tile choices, coping stones, etc. We are pool renovation experts – contact us today at 248-476-4544 or poundpool@sbcglobal.net.


Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Pound Pool Plastering

Protect Yourself from PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl fluorinated substances called PFAS are dubbed “Forever Chemicals” due to the chemical bonds that hold the compounds together (about 5,000 substances) which never break down in the environment. PFAS can be found everywhere; they are in hundreds of products such as food-delivery containers and papers, nonstick cookware, stain-resistant clothing, carpets, and furniture, fireproof items, clothes, cosmetics, personal care products, and so much more. Tiny doses of PFAS are linked to cancer, reproductive and immune system damage, weight gain, and a plethora of other diseases. It is estimated that PFAS are found in the blood of 99.9 percent of all human beings on Earth, including newborn babies.

For many reasons (including factory and facility discharge), PFAS have been found in drinking water throughout the United States. Over 1,400 communities in 49 states have detected PFAS in their drinking water according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). This equates to roughly 110 million Americans drinking PFAS-contaminated water.

What was once dubbed a “Miracle of Chemistry” is now an “Unimaginable Water Crisis.” Chemical companies have been covering up evidence of PFAS’ health hazards for decades. When DuPont introduced the novel nonstick Teflon brand to Americans in 1946, the PFAS substances used to make that material were translated into thousands of everyday household items that repel stains and are waterproof.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been investigating PFAS since the late 1990s. As our nation’s regulatory agency for drinking water, they have yet to issue an enforceable nationwide standard for PFAS. Even more risk factors have been discovered by scientists and environmental organizations about PFAS throughout the years, and still, the EPA has failed to act.

Drinking water includes both tap and bottled forms. Bottled water is overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which regulates contaminants in bottled water based on the EPA’s limits. Consumer Reports recently tested 47 bottled waters and detected PFAS in 43 of them, including sparkling cans.

To limit your exposure to PFAS, call the water experts at Reynolds Water today. They will test your water and offer an appropriate reverse osmosis filter. Choose bottled waters carefully, and avoid products that are known to contain PFAS.

For more information about PFAS, watch this documentary called “The Devil We Know” or browse this informatory website from EWG which explains in detail where PFAS originated, a map of the spread, and what you can do to stop it from affecting you and your loved ones. Also check out our past blog articles: “Michigan’s new PFAS Rules Among Strictest in Nation,” “Erin Brockovich claims the US is in an Unimaginable Water Crisis,” and “Toxic PFAS Leach Through Most In-Home Drinking Water Filters.”

Reynolds Water Conditioning was established in 1931 and is Michigan’s oldest water conditioning treatment company. Still owned and operated by the Reynolds family, we take pride in providing the highest quality products at a cost-effective price. If your tap water lacks the quality you deserve, contact us today at www.reynoldswater.com or call 800-572-9575.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.  

Reynolds Water