Livingston Reporting - page 81

Sharing the same prefix makes Medicare and Medicaid easily interchangeable, but in reality, they are entirely different. To add to the confusion, both are structured by the government to assist people with healthcare costs. Beyond sharing prefixes and the healthcare realm, the two programs have nothing else in common.

Medicare: an insurance program paid from trust funds which those covered have paid into.

• For seniors 65+ or those with a qualifying disability
• Federal government sets standard benefits and costs
• Private plans might provide additional (varying) coverage and costs
• Parts A and B provided by the government; Parts C and D provided by insurance companies

Medicaid: an insurance assistance program serving low-income people.

• For individuals, families, and children with limited income and resources
• State sets Medicaid programs based on federal guidelines
• Different programs exist for specific populations
• Both mandatory and optional benefits available

Both Medicare and Medicaid include premiums, deductibles, copays, and insurance costs. Specific Medicaid groups are exempt from out-of-pocket expenses, and there are four different Medicare savings programs available. Some people can have both Medicare and Medicaid; these people are called “dual eligible.”

To enroll for Medicare, enroll with either Social Security directly (Parts A and B) or a private insurance company (Parts C and D) to choose the coverage you need. To enroll for Medicaid in Michigan, visit their website.

Both Medicare and Medicaid are two very different healthcare programs. It is imperative to understand the differences. If you are dual-eligible, learn how they can work together for your benefit.

For more information about the differences between Medicare and Medicaid, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website. To enroll in Medicare Parts C and D, contact Senior Health Medicare today.

Senior Health Medicare is a superior resource for Medicare guidance, information, and ongoing client support. Selecting a 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.

Lung cancer screening might be one step closer to fruition in New Zealand thanks to newly discovered results by the University of Otago, published by medical journal BMJ Open. The indigenous Māori people of New Zealand are particularly susceptible to lung cancer, as their mortality rates are between three and four times higher than other ethnic groups. Around 450 Māori are diagnosed with lung cancer, and approximately 300 die from it yearly. If caught in the early stages, health outcomes for the Māori and other ethnic groups will undoubtedly improve.

To assess whether low-dose computerized tomography (LDCT) might be a cost-effective way to screen for lung cancer, Waitematā and Auckland DHBs collaborated with University of Otago researchers. Led by Associate Professor Sue Crengle (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha) from the University of Otago, the researchers used scientific modeling to estimate the benefits and costs of LDCT screening when it comes to a high-risk population. LDCT uses a small amount of radiation to produce an extremely clear three-dimensional image from a computerized x-ray.

“Having clarity about the cost-effectiveness of lung cancer screening provides further impetus to get this work started,” Associate Professor Crengle says. “If this works for Māori, then it will work for everyone else as well.”

Study findings suggested a national biennial lung cancer screening program is likely beneficial in terms of cost-effectiveness for not only the Māori but also the entire population of New Zealand. With early screening, the number of deaths will be reduced among the indigenous people. Countries with screening trials have seen a 20 to 26 percent reduction in lung cancer deaths.

For further reading, check out the original article by News Medical Life Sciences or the journal reference by BMJ Open.

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

According to a news article by Packaging Digest, shifted buying patterns, heightened health and safety concerns, and sustainability outlooks are presenting packaging design challenges to the post-pandemic realm. With increased packaging demand due to shelter-at-home orders, food delivery and e-commerce became a necessity. Additionally, concerns regarding surface contamination altered the way consumers interacted with packaging.

In the post-pandemic world, these trends will most likely continue. Hence, product packaging designers are ready to respond by adapting to shifting buying patterns, designing packaging with sustainability in mind, and meeting heightened health and safety standards.

Coronavirus has altered the way in which people purchase items. Online shopping has become the safest choice for most, as store trips risk the chance of coming into contact with the virus. E-commerce traffic has spiked exponentially from 16.07 billion visits to sites in January to 21.96 in June. This translates to an ever-increasing importance for packaging design to accommodate shipping and unboxing accordingly. Adapting to these shifting buying patterns is imperative for product packaging designers.

An article published by Scientific American states that the ocean pollution plastic problem has worsened due to COVID-19. As an increasing number of humans utilize plastic gloves, wear plastic masks, and order takeout, recycling programs are declining. Researcher projections claim that by 2050, there will be more plastic by weight in the ocean than fish. To counteract the damage being done, environmental awareness is re-emerging. For the foreseeable future, food delivery services and online shopping will be at the forefront of e-commerce. More sustainable packaging is not only desired by consumers, but will be in high demand in the coming months and years.

As health and safety concerns rise, so too must the packaging associated with those expectations. People worldwide question the safety of various products purchased and brought into their homes. Countless people disinfect packages or quarantine them in order to bypass the chances of contracting coronavirus. Physical and psychological health must both be prioritized in packaging design.  

To read more information, check out the original article by Packaging Digest. For any packaging measurement needs, contact Apex Measurement systems. At Apex, we measure in coat weight, coating thickness, lamination, and moisture to ensure repeatable production results.

Apex Measurement Systems brings clients to measurement success by optimizing their control processes. We are a global company with an expert team of scientists and engineers. Our area of expertise is vast; we handle materials, applications, data analysis, and calibrations. If you can’t measure it, you can’t make it. Contact us by phone at (810) 220-6084 or e-mail us at info@apexmarketing.com to learn more about our products and services.

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

Budget: the dreadful word that defines most of our lives is also an imperative factor when planning an event. Maintaining a budget while preparing to host a special occasion can be tricky, but not impossible. Consider the following before you blow through your entire financial plan on those swanky cocktails or entertainment ideas.

Have you hosted a similar event in the past, or perhaps you took a peek at recent trends relating to the occasion? Set specific goals and clarify your event budget strategy. Think critically about what you will be spending your money on. Create spreadsheets chocked with information that will be vital to outlining the social get-together. By having your finances and wish list documented, your overall plan will be mapped and easier to digest.

Some questions to help you create a budget include:

• What are you budgeting for? (Clarify your major spending categories.)
• What are the exact costs? (Mentally walk through the event lifecycle and note expenses.)
• What is the projected revenue? (Estimate the monetary income in all aspects.)
• Are there unknown variables? (What’s your “Plan B” or contingency plan?)
• Are specific prices dependent on others? (If this, then that…how will things coincide?)

Sometimes, sly attempts to reduce overall budget appearances by making the number lower than actuality (to present better on paper) can backfire. Ultimately, this can be devastating for your expenses, so try to avoid doing this if possible.

An event planner will help you when it comes to the actual nitty-gritty of budgeting, but it is always a good idea to have some sort of budget prepared before you meet with the professionals.

Have your budget ready and need to start planning your next event? At Event Planning DC, we specialize in helping clients throw the best party while still being mindful of their budget. Contact us today for more information.

Event Planning DC offers precise planning and captivating event design inspired by your unique vision, exclusive style, and the things that matter to you most. We provide comprehensive event planning of all types within the DC, MD, and VA area. Call us at 301-742-6322 or email michele@eventplanningdc.com to start planning your future…today.

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

Web browsers play an integral role in supporting many peoples’ daily activities. These programs allow access to the World Wide Web. Websites host different types of information; web browsers retrieve that information from the web server, displaying the content on the device used by the user. Devices include smartphones, desktops, laptops, tablets, etc. Approximately 4.3 billion people used a browser in 2019. The most popular browser is Google Chrome, followed by Apple’s Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and others.

Data shows Google Chrome’s September market share dropped to 66.3 percent, the first time it reached below 70 percent since May. The one-point drop was the first since October 2019 when Chrome decreased by 1.1 points. Apple’s Safari represented 16.73 percent of worldwide users, Mozilla Firefox stayed steady at 4.09 percent. The browser leader, Chrome, has fallen for two straight months, which is uncharacteristic of the behemoth.

Microsoft’s browsers Edge and Explorer both recovered nearly a fifth of previous losses from August, increasing by four-tenths of a percentage point combined. While Internet Explorer stayed steady, Edge increased three-tenths of a point. Microsoft is due to release Windows 10 20H2, which will come with Chromium Edge, and will be an opportunity for a market share bump. Microsoft has a difficult road ahead in its attempt to replace users’ main web browser, Chrome, with Edge. Chrome gained the majority market share after Microsoft abandoned several versions of Internet Explorer during 2016, which enabled Google’s web browser to jump ahead. Without another catastrophic event, it seems unlikely any other browser will compete with Google Chrome’s market share.

At Creative Programs and Systems, we are familiar with all browsers and can service most devices. Have a question or want to learn more about browsers, safety, and market share? Contact CPS or read this article to learn more.

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.

In 2018, Microsoft deployed a datacenter 117 feet deep in the seafloor off Scotland’s Orkney Islands. For two years, Microsoft team members analyzed and monitored the servers’ operation and dependability. Now covered in algae, barnacles, and sea anemones, the datacenter is back on land.

The underwater datacenter was deployed in an effort to remedy equipment failure and provide a solution to internet availability throughout the globe. Microsoft team members were also aiming to improve the overall quality of datacenters in terms of reliability and function. Oftentimes, datacenters on land are susceptible to corrosion due to elemental factors such as humidity, oxygen, and temperature changes. After analyzing the underwater datacenter, the Microsoft team found that it performed exceptionally well.

Prior to the Orkney Islands datacenter deployment, the same Microsoft team proved the underwater datacenter concept was feasible in 2015 by deploying a different datacenter in the Pacific Ocean for roughly four months. Piggybacking off the Pacific Ocean datacenter’s success, the Microsoft team decided to test their concept even more in 2018.

Datacenters are a main pillar in cloud computing, containing networks of powerful computers that perform intricate tasks such as storing, processing, and transferring or allocating immense amounts of data. Datacenter proximity is a factor in speed and a reduced lag time for those who access the internet. The closer the datacenter, the quicker downloads, games, and Web browsers function.

Another factor in deploying the datacenters was to highlight environmental sustainability. The Orkney Islands were selected, in part, due to their renewable energy technologies. Their electrical grid is supplied 100 percent by wind and solar energy. “We have been able to run really well on what most land-based datacenters consider an unreliable grid, said Spencer Fowers, an integral member of technical staff for Microsoft’s Special Project research group. “We are hopeful that we can look at our findings and say maybe we don’t need to have quite as much infrastructure focused on power and reliability,” he continued.

To read more about the underwater datacenter, check out this Microsoft article. Want to improve your cloud setup or do you have a Microsoft product that needs a refresher? Contact Creative Programs & Systems today – we can help with all of your technical questions.

Founded in 1994, CPS 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.