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Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, many Medicare beneficiaries are worried about more than just their increased health risk or predisposition to contracting the virus. Large, unexpected medical expenses are more a factor now than ever.

A survey by healthinsurance.com polled more than 1,000 elderly (64-years-old and older) individuals to determine their views on several topics related to Medicare and healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results suggest a majority of current and pre-beneficiaries are worried most about out-of-pocket costs (66 percent) and unexpected medical bills (62 percent). In the United States, there have been 6.5 million cases of COVID-19 and 193,721 deaths.

About 35 percent of Medicare beneficiaries are worried about surprise medical bills if they contract COVID-19. If hospitalized through an in-network provider, a doctor who tends to the patient might not have a pre-existing agreement with your insurer; thus, bills the patient the full amount. Some Advantage Plans have temporarily waived the cost of treating COVID-19. However, the average price to treat a patient infected with the virus is $30,000. Generally, these surprise medical bills are infrequent, as the costs of treating a patient are partially covered by insurance. The specific amount, however, varies depending on their individual coverage.

Basic Medicare entails Part A (hospital coverage) and Part B (outpatient care/medical equipment), which are both associated with monetary costs. Since Part A does not include a premium (paid into the system through taxes), it does come with a deductible and copays for extended hospital stays. Part B does include a premium, deductible, and cost-sharing. These and other out-of-pocket costs worry most Medicare beneficiaries (66 percent), as stated above.

Fifty percent of Medicare beneficiaries have money set aside for their children or family to use for their health needs. Another 36 percent of the same beneficiaries have put off seeing a doctor due to costs associated with the visit.

At Omega Benefit Strategies, we understand the metrics of Medicare fees. We strive to provide the best Medicare options for your senior members. To learn more about the concerns of Medicare beneficiaries, read this article from CNBC.

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.

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

Researchers and students at the University of Exeter Business School developed a way to measure the immediate impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on an economy’s Gross Domestic Product, or GDP. To calculate this data, the scientists analyzed hourly electricity consumption rates during Italy’s spring lockdown to measure the impact of those activities on their economy during that time. Traditional metrics and official statistics take at least three months to calculate and will not remove other factors affecting consumption and production.

Data was analyzed from the Italian power market from January 2015 through June 2020. The results gave the researchers an idea of what the electrical consumption would have been if not for COVID-19 restrictions. The hypothetical model was then cross-referenced with actual consumption rates during and after the lockdown. The end result was then rescaled to focus on the implications for GDP.

In the first quarter, Italy’s GDP fell 5.1 percent, and during the most intense three-week lockdown period (March and April, when many factories were also shut down), the researchers calculated a reduction in the GDP by about 30 percent.

As Italy gradually reopened socially and economically, the GDP was still about 8.5 percent lower than it would have been without the outbreak at the end of June.

Several caveats were noted, including possible shortcomings of solely examining a short amount of time versus a more extended period. The lengthier timeframe would include added influences from other national procedures, as well as potential spillover effects from pandemic policies. Moreover, as adaptation strategies such as working from home are implemented, the researchers noted, “The effect of future lockdown restrictions may become less severe. This consideration has to be balanced against the potential for long-term and repeated lockdowns exerting cumulative and progressively more adverse economic effects, including through the impacts on human wellbeing.”

Read the complete research study conducted by students at the University of Exeter Business School for a detailed examination of the mathematical formula implemented to calculate the data.
 

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

The occasion of your child becoming a bar/bat mitzvah is undoubtedly something to commemorate. Countless factors play a part in hosting a fabulous bar/bat mitzvah. How will you juggle scheduling your son or daughter’s celebration between work, extra-curricular or social events, etc.? Planning an elaborate party can be challenging, especially in 2020. Especially taking social distancing and other requirements into account, it’s best to let the professionals handle everything. There are a multitude of reasons why hiring an event planner is the way to go; here are three of the most vital:

Value
Hiring an event planner might seem like a higher cost initially, but the return on your investment will pay off in the long run. Due to connections in the industry along with repeat business contracts, event planners receive hefty discounts on event spaces, vendors, and the like. These special prices and deals that they have access to are passed down to the client. Event planners know the right people to talk to, questions to ask, the precise time to submit contracts (avoiding late fees), and so much more.

Time
Planning any type of event can be overwhelmingly time-consuming. Between work, shuffling kids to and from activities, school, bar/bat mitzvah classes, etc. the day will be over before you know it, making it difficult for you to find spare time. Without prior experience, planning a successful bar/bat mitzvah is a tremendous feat. Countless hours are required for researching, discussing options with vendors, details, and answering questions. All of that deadline and time-inducing stress can be remediated simply by hiring an event planner. He/she will keep you on track, ensuring a successful bar/bat mitzvah will be had by all.

Sanity
Aside from time constraints, planning a bar/bat mitzvah can be stress-inducing on so many levels. These parties affect our emotions, both physically and mentally. Spiritually, they are magnificent for not only the child but also the family. During this sacred time, the last thing you need to be is worried. While you are welcoming guests and enjoying the special day with your family, an event planner will meet vendors, orchestrate layouts, and ensure the occasion runs efficiently, making it look effortless. Leave the stressful worrying and planning to them – after all, that’s their job!

Looking to schedule a bar/bat mitzvah for your son or daughter? Event Planning DC is your expert bar/bat mitzvah planning solution. We have experience in full or partial, intimate/micro, virtual design, and planning, along with month-of-event management and design consulting. Don’t wait – contact us and start planning today!

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.

If you walk up to a particular Whole Foods storefront in Brooklyn, New York, expecting to walk around and shop, think again. Amazon opened its first “permanent online-only” warehouse to meet the growing demand for grocery delivery. Whole Foods was bought by Amazon in 2017 for $13.2 billion.

This isn’t the first Amazon and Whole Foods store, however. Amazon Fresh, a traditional supermarket with “smart” technology such as an Amazon Alexa shopping assistant and high-tech grocery carts, was launched recently in California. Amazon also opened a smaller grocery store that uses checkout-free technology called Amazon Go Grocery. Several other online grocery delivery services have already been in use for quite some time, such as Amazon Fresh, a grocery delivery service, and Prime Pantry, where consumers can shop for everyday household items in single quantities.

In a recent blog post, Amazon stated, “Grocery delivery continues to be one of the fastest-growing businesses at Amazon. In fact, online grocery sales tripled year over year in the second quarter this year, indicating that more customers than ever before are turning to Amazon for grocery delivery options. Together, we’re thrilled to increase access to grocery delivery. It’s never been more important.”

Thinking of taking your brick-and-mortar business online? Creative Programs & Systems can help you with that! We customize websites using the latest technology – never templates – including CRM, barcode apps, UX design, e-commerce, web analytics, digital marketing, and much more. Check out this article for further information regarding the online-only Whole Foods.

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.

Chances are, you have a bottle of hand sanitizer sitting in at least one area of your house, your car, and maybe even your office. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been buying and stocking up on hand sanitizer, causing a spike in the industry. Despite being sold in everyday stores for millions of consumers to purchase, numerous hand sanitizer brands make false and misleading claims. Countless hand sanitizers on the market cannot pass standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some even contain poisonous ingredients such as methanol ranging from 1 to 80 percent.

Since June, the FDA has unmasked 160 alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing toxic chemicals. The irony lies in the fact that hand sanitizers have one goal: to keep people safe. The fake, chemical-laden hand sanitizers disguised as safe can actually be deadly; several people have died after ingesting them. Other consequences of using these noxious sanitizers include hospitalizations for blindness, cardiac arrest, nervous system effects, and more.

A direct result of the COVID-19 global pandemic, shelves across the world became bare as people began to stock up on invaluable items. Shortages were – and still are – prevalent in countless countries. Hand sanitizers were no exception; simultaneously, the ingredients (ethanol, isopropanol, and glycerin) used in most (safe) hand sanitizers also became scarce. In an effort to provide sanitizers to the public, non-traditional manufacturers such as perfumeries, small businesses, and breweries began to produce the liquid gold people were desperate to find. However, without prior experience or proper knowledge, they unknowingly began to create and sell toxic hand sanitizers.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA had a small hand in the industry; now, they analyze it with a magnifying glass. The agency said in a statement, “Almost all of the hand sanitizer manufacturers [with contaminated products] are newly registered facilities.” Hand sanitizer is not controlled or standardized in many countries. Without regulations, new products can effortlessly enter the market despite manufacturers’ lack of knowledge regarding the product. The absence of regulations combined with the overwhelming need for hand sanitizers created a perfect-storm scenario.

Curious to see whether your hand sanitizer is safe or potentially deadly? Check out the FDA’s hand sanitizer guide to determine whether your product is on the list. As always, the best way to prevent the spread of disease – including COVID-19 – is to wash your hands with soap and water.

Chemical composition should never be a guessing game. At Apex Measurement Systems, we measure a broad range of chemical compounds such as raw materials, industrial minerals, and feedstocks using elemental and compositional analysis. Click here for more information about faux sanitizers. 

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

A Louisiana State University (LSU) radiologist joined with an evolutionary anatomist to create revolutionary 3D models of COVID-19 patients’ lungs by implementing the same techniques used for reptiles and birds. Emma R. Schachner, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Cell Biology & Anatomy, and Bradley Spieler, MD, Vice Chairman of Radiology Research and Associate Professor of Radiology, Internal Medicine, Urology, & Cell Biology and Anatomy at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, created the models from CT scans of COVID-19 patients.

Three patients underwent contrast-enhanced thoracic CT when their symptoms worsened. Two tested positive for COVID-19; another was presumed a false-negative based on the symptoms they experienced combined with compelling imaging. Since false-negative tests are a known diagnostic challenge, CT can be beneficial for establishing a COVID-19 diagnosis. The lungs’ form and structure appear to correlate to disease progression, which allows for the 3D segmentations to model airflow patterns or quantify lung tissue volumetrically.

Spieler said, “The full effect of COVID-19 on the respiratory system remains unknown, but the 3D digital segmented models provide clinicians a new tool to evaluate the extent and distribution of the disease in one encapsulated view. This is especially useful in the case where RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 [current testing system] is negative but there is a strong clinical suspicion for COVID-19.” 

This combined technology is a novel discovery as there has never before been accurate models of the COVID-19 disease progression in the lungs. Previous models published include volume-rendered models and straight 2D screenshots of CT scans and radiographs (X-Rays). The 3D models are vastly more detailed but do require some more effort.

Schachner explained, “Previously published 3D models of lungs with COVID-19 have been crated using automated volume rendering techniques. Our method is more challenging and time-consuming, but results in a highly accurate and detailed anatomical model where the layers can be pulled apart, volumes quantified, and it can be 3D printed.”

The in-depth view rendered by this model makes it easier for the broader medical audience to understand the severity and extent of this disease.

Check out the original report for a detailed look at the 3D models of COVID-19 patients’ lungs.

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No one could have predicted the impact COVID-19 would have on the world when it first started spreading in late 2019. Millions of businesses and corporations ceased operations for a period of time, some never recovering. Unfortunately, most events scheduled for the spring/summer of 2020 in the United States were cancelled due to state mandates. Event planners and individuals resorted to virtual get-togethers, which was a new idea at the time, but is now the norm. As many states open back up and allow small gatherings, event planners and hosts face an important decision. There are three options for future events; how do they take place, you ask? Look no further; we’ll explain it all here:

Live
Events can still be held in-person, using models that have worked in the past, including a few modifications. Hand sanitizer placed throughout the area is imperative to maintain cleanliness. Reducing the number of handheld items when at all possible will help curb cross-contamination. Some events recommend guests be tested for COVID-19 prior to attending, and wellness/temperature checks are performed at the door. Reducing the number of invitations to decrease overall headcount is also a popular choice. Lastly, social distancing, in addition to proper mask precautions, are proven ways to lower guests’ chances of becoming infected with the virus.

Virtual
A large number of events have gone – and stayed – virtual in 2020. Despite being entirely virtual, a great deal of planning still goes into these events. One problem with virtual events is that the technology varies greatly. For example, one person might fully understand a platform (utilities and applications) like “Zoom,” while others are more used to “FaceTime.” Moreover, these platforms are usually not significantly robust enough to handle large numbers of participants. The question of whether they will be monetized is still up for debate, as well.

Hybrid
This type of event combines live and virtual, which is a growing choice for many people. Oftentimes, a small group of “virus-free” guests get together while others (perhaps those at high-risk for infection, or guests who do not want to travel long distances) join virtually. This can be accomplished using a few modalities including webcams, phones, etc. In-person guests can communicate with the virtual guests as though they are all in one area.

Planning any type of event can be overwhelming, so let an experienced event planner help you decide what format is best for you.

Check out this article for more information, including questions to ask yourself for each format.

Event Planning DC offer 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 today.

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

Pools don’t need to be completely torn out and re-designed to update their aesthetic. There are plenty of ways to change the look of a pool – even on a budget. If you are searching for ideas, read our list below for some inspiration.

Swim-up bars: These drink bars are installed on the inside of the pool. If your pool is the neighborhood or family hangout, guests will enjoy refreshing, cold drinks while relaxing in the water.

Dark pool interior: There are a few reasons dark pool trends are on the rise. First, they are a nice contrast to waterfalls, rock arrangements, and other landscape fixtures. Second, dirt and debris are not quite as noticeable compared to pools with lighter finishes. Lastly, dark pools absorb and retain sunlight, making them more heat-efficient.

Shallow areas: Some people enjoy pools by sitting on the edge and letting their feet dangle in the water. Installing a foot-deep shallow depth area will allow people to relax on beach chairs, for example, while refreshing water flows beneath them.

Smart lighting: Many people enjoy their pools in the evening, which usually requires some sort of lighting. Beyond flipping light switches, you can now control where the lights are placed, in addition to adjusting the color. Some smart lights even have apps that can be accessed from smartphones. The ambiance of your pool will surely improve with specialized lighting.

Saltwater pools: We all know pools contain chlorine, but did you know some pools are made up of saltwater? Saltwater pools require far less maintenance and aren’t as harsh on the eyes or skin as chlorine pools typically are.

Want to discuss options and look into renovating your pool? Pound Pool staff are pool renovation experts. Contact us today at 248-476-4544 or poundpool@sbcglobal.net.

Pound Pool 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.

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

NFL Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston is the latest pro athlete to undergo LASIK eye surgery. The QB said he could read license plates and street signs following the surgery. He said, “I think precision in the vision is the biggest difference.” Previously nearsighted in addition to having astigmatism, which is a curvature in the eye or lens, Winston’s vision is now corrected.

A growing number of professional athletes are choosing to undergo LASIK eye surgery. Some famous athletes include Tiger Woods, Tiki Barber, Dwayne Wade, Carson Wentz, Lindsey Vonn, Kirk Cousins, LeBron James, Wilson Ramos, Greg Maddux, Patrick Ewing, and Chris Paul.

Vision is integral to an athlete’s performance. Without strong vision, performance on the athletic field is diminished. Quarterback football players are continually shifting their eyes by calculating depth, distance, and rapidly-moving players. The quick decisions he makes based on his vision capabilities are what could win or cost the game.

Glasses or goggles can impair and even be potentially hazardous to athletes due to their susceptibility to damage and inability to protect their eyes during rain or snowstorms. LASIK eye surgery is a perfect option for athletes and other individuals who move quickly or are frequently in the elements.

Read the full article for more information about Winston’s LASIK experience.

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.

PFAS, known as “Forever Chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and human body indefinitely, saturate the water supply in Michigan. These highly toxic chemicals have been linked to cancer; liver, thyroid, and pancreas conditions; ulcerative colitis; hormone and immune system interference; high cholesterol; and a host of negative issues for pregnant women and children. PFAS are found at some level in public water serving about 1.9 million people and more than 11,000 sites. A Detroit Free Press article stated, “PFAS contamination is Michigan’s biggest environmental crisis in 40 years.”

Michigan groundwater is saturated with PFAS chemicals at levels which exceed standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Seventeen rivers, lakes, streams, and ponds have “do not eat” advisories for fish; at least one county issued the same warning for deer due to PFAS. The entire country is dealing with an emerging crisis regarding PFAS contamination.

In an effort to regulate this toxic chemical, the state of Michigan issued enforceable standards to limit the amount of PFAS allowed in drinking water. These standards took effect on August 3 and are among the nation’s strictest. This article by The Detroit News explains the new regulations in-depth. Typically, the EPA develops nationwide standards based on states’ adaptations. States like Michigan, New Jersey, and New Hampshire have taken the lead and created their own standards without the EPA’s involvement.

Since PFAS are emerging toxins, many consumers are unfamiliar with the chemicals and unsure about how to protect themselves from ingesting them. Thankfully, household filters – specifically reverse osmosis and two-stage – are the most effective way to remove PFAS from drinking water. Activated carbon filters are also beneficial for PFAS filtration. Don’t have a reverse osmosis or two-stage filter? No problem! Call Reynolds Water Conditioning Co. at 800-572-9575. Reynolds Water was established in 1931 and is Michigan’s oldest water conditioning treatment company. www.reynoldswater.com