Why an Insurance FMO Can Help Your Business

A Field Marketing Organization (FMO) can help market, sell, and distribute various insurance products; at Omega, we focus on Medicare Advantage and Supplement plans. To provide our clients with the best possible service, we focus solely on the Medicare realm.

Carriers have added efficiencies and are often offered contracts by agents that they might not otherwise be able to access. When you choose to work with an FMO, you are essentially selecting a business partner to help grow your company. There are countless aspects of managing your company; from training and certification to carrier contracting and enrollment processing, you will surely have plenty to learn and do as an insurance agent. To help ease some of your stress and mitigate the learning curve, read on to discover how partnering with an FMO can help your business:

Enrollment Processing: A significant benefit of using an insurance agent’s services, this process can be more complex than initially thought. It’s essential to have the most recent carrier enrollment forms, complete client information, and supplemental information for specific plan changes. You should be able to update carrier forms, checklists, and guides effortlessly. Most FMOs provide back-end support to process and submit enrollment applications.

Training and Certification: Annual AHIP certification and staying current with yearly changes and new products is vital for success as an insurance broker. These tasks require a lot of training. A solid FMO should provide you with all the resources necessary to get – and stay – certified, take on new products, educate your clients, and remain successful in your arena.

Carrier Contracting: Most FMOs have existing contracts with multiple carriers and products to make the process more streamlined for you to provide a greater number of plans and benefit options to your clients. It is possible to work directly with carriers and obtain individual contracts for each one.

Compliance: To help your clients understand all the available options, you must be knowledgeable about each product and abide by the guidelines. To get clients their best coverage at the best rate, it’s paramount to work with a well-established FMO.

Office Support: Insurance agencies have almost never-ending case management, enrollment tracking, payment processing, etc. A strong FMO will provide the back-office support you require. You’ll quickly learn how to manage your book of business, claims, track paperwork, and handle overall office duties.

Marketing Services: Multi-level marketing can be a complex creature, but a good FMO will have that under control. To approach new targets, stay connected with your existing customer base, and become more of an authority, an experienced FMO will provide marketing support across all channels.

Get started with a trusted FMO like Omega Benefit Strategies today. We can help take your company to the next level.

Omega Benefit Strategies provides seniors who are affiliated with credit unions, labor unions, and associations 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.omegabenefit.org or call 888-404-5049.

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

Artificial Intelligence Could Be Answer for Mass Power Outages

While some hospitals were forced to use snow water to flush toilets, some homeowners used fence wood as firewood to heat their homes. The power outages in Texas and the southeast wreaked havoc on the area, creating a tragic situation that consequently pushed the nation’s fragile energy grids into the spotlight.

Energy planning has become somewhat of a pipe dream thanks to unexpected cold fronts, heat waves, snowstorms, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding. These natural disasters cause power fluctuations and unpredictable availability of green energy sources.

While solutions are varied and complex, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can optimize energy distribution across the grid and is aimed to help the utilities instantly know how much of what type of energy to deliver where.

In Texas, grid operators planned a worst-case scenario where 67GW of electricity was used. As the cold front swooped in, the state rapidly used that energy. The unusually freezing weather deactivated green energy sources and fossil fuels alike, such as thermal power plants, windmills, gas-powered generators, and more. While reserves were quickly depleted, temperatures plummeted, forcing energy demand to spike, which caused rolling blackouts across Texas.

AI technology exists and can help utilities manage energy distribution and demand, preventing rolling blackouts. Nationwide, we should be investing in alternative fuels, grid optimization, and resilience to avoid millions of people being affected by fragile systems.

With AI-based grid modeling happening in real-time, alternative power sources could be ready when needed. These sources could stem from other states, autonomous microgrids, or behind-the-meter battery storage. These systems can continuously learn the environment and clean energy sources on the grid, updating when necessary.

Millions of data points can be continuously collected by AI, predicting the weather, supply, demand, energy prices, etc. This data is useful in building optimal energy models for grid devices such as solar inverters, batteries, wind turbines, and more. These models can be used by utility providers to effectively dispatch energy and control clean energy sources.

In areas that need critical services, such as hospitals, schools, police, and fire departments, these microgrids would always have power, even if disconnected from the primary grid.

Beyond emergencies, AI can be used to process massive amounts of real-time data for ongoing energy management for utility services. This will enable them to route energy to residences and businesses efficiently, reliably, and at the most cost-effective price. With AI, real-time weather, load forecasting, economics, rules, and grid learning can be implemented, which would otherwise be too difficult for people to make, let alone execute.

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

Five Fun Mortgage Facts

The process of obtaining a mortgage can be daunting and time-consuming. However, for the amount of work involved – the reward in getting your mortgage pays off in the end. We’ve compiled a few fun facts about the mortgage process to give yourself a break from the daily grind. Read on!

‘Till Death Do Us Part
The word “mortgage” originates from the old French words “mort,” meaning dead, and “gage,” or pledge. Your “dead-pledge” will cease to exist (read: die) once you pay it off, hence the name.

What’s with Red?
If you’ve ever been to Scotland, you might have noticed an excess of red doors. Traditionally, when a homeowner paid off their mortgage, they paint their front door red. Seen as a sort of announcement, the bright color is noticeable to passersby.

Flying High
In the United States, we have our own version of the quirky home exterior tradition. When a homeowner became debt-free, a winged eagle plaque was placed over the front door. While this tradition has already peaked, some homes still bear the metal remnants.

30-Year Mortgages are New
Before the Great Depression, mortgages had short maturity times and usually required a significant down payment. According to “The American Mortgage Historical and International Context,” pre-Depression mortgages had variable interest rates and were negotiated yearly.

More Value
In some countries, mortgages can be taken out for a higher home valuation. In the United States, the maximum value of a mortgage is 97- to 100 percent of the home’s valuation. In the Netherlands, borrowers can take out loans for as much as 115 percent of the home’s value; in the United Kingdom, they can borrow up to 110 percent.

To learn more information regarding a home or commercial mortgage, contact the experts at EB Mortgage today.

EB Mortgage is a locally-owned mortgage company with experts in new home purchase, refinancing, and commercial loans. Our wholesale rates can’t be beaten. We offer more products, more options, and more solutions. Our “3C” Process is simple: complete our pre-approval request, consider options based on your requirements, and choose the offer that suits your needs best. Call us at 866-246-0516 or e-mail contact@ebwmtg.com today.

How to Use Microsoft Office for Free

Microsoft Office is usually a necessity for most people, yet the suite isn’t exactly considered budget-friendly. Subscriptions are between $7 a month or $70 annually, and stand-alone versions of the set start at $150. Despite the fee, there are (thankfully) ways to use the software for free.

Without using the professional version that has all of the bells and whistles and latest features, there are plenty of ways to save your wallet.

Use The App: There’s a free online Microsoft app store where you can sign in (or signup) and use the functionality with other apps as well. Follow the on-screen instructions to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Calendar, and other Office suite apps. A few less-popular apps are available too, such as Sway, an interactive report/presentation app; People, an advanced contact list; and OneDrive, a cloud storage service allowing you to save and access files effortlessly. These apps are limited to basic functionality but are still useful. To use the apps, you will need to be connected to the Internet.

The School Advantage: If you are a student, faculty, or staff member at an educational organization, you are eligible to use Office for free. As long as your school is signed up for the program, you can reap the benefits of using the Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) along with other apps such as Microsoft Teams, Access, and Publisher. If you are a recent graduate, you can obtain the programs at a low cost. The alumni discount program enables post-grads to use Microsoft 365 Personal for only $1 per month for 12 months.

Use that 30-day Trial: For a month, you can use Microsoft Office for free, no strings attached. Up to six users can be added across Windows, Mac, and smartphones. One TB of OneDrive cloud storage is included, which boasts the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more. When your trial expires, Microsoft will automatically charge you for the full version, as they require your credit card information before you can sign up initially.

Get an Evaluation: For $30, Microsoft’s Evaluation Center program lets you test certain Office apps. This is essentially another free trial, but it provides specific, full-featured software for Office 365 ProPlus. It’s not ideal as a long-term solution, but it is a great temporary option. Since this is a test service used by Microsoft developers, you might encounter a few glitches.

Valid Alternatives: There are plenty of free alternatives that work well and transfer features over to Office seamlessly.

For all your computer needs, contact the experts at Creative Programs and Systems today.

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.

FDA Authorizes New Device That Protects Athletes’ Brains During Impact

The United States Food and Drug Administration recently authorized a novel product that recent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) shows might protect athletes’ brains from traumatic injury.

A c-shaped, non-invasive device dubbed the “Q-Collar” goes around the neck and applies compression, which increases blood volume, therefore reducing brain movement.  

Several FDA studies proved the effectiveness and safety. One such study included a long-term analysis of 284 participants, age 13 and older. A total of 139 athletes wore the collars, and 145 did not; both underwent head MRI before and after the season.

To compare structural changes after a season of play, researchers also generated diffusion tensor imaging of the brain. Significant differences were noted in the deep tissue involved in transmitting electrical nerve signals in 73 percent of the collarless group. Those who were equipped with the Q-Collar showed no change in white matter throughout 77 percent of the group.

“These differences appear to indicate protection of the brain associated with the device use. No significant adverse events were associated with device use,” The FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health reported.

An estimated 3.8 million sports-related traumatic brain injuries occur in the United States yearly, according to The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Along with the Q-Collar manufacturer Q30 Sports Science, FDA officials hope the device will lower this number, reducing “slosh” by creating a tighter fit of the brain in the skull through increased blood volume.

The Q-Collar should not be used in place of helmets or other protective devices. Athletes with a history of seizure disorders, brain blood clots, or problems with blood clotting, in general, should not use the device.

For more information, read the full FDA report.

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.

Radio Communication Options

In crisis situations, internet and cellphone service might be unreliable. Your best bet is to communicate through radio. That’s right, the old “walkie-talkie” type radios will come in handy during times of duress. There are several different kinds of radio communication options, which we’ve outlined below.

Citizens Band Radio
Also known as CB radios, these were quite popular in the 1970s and ‘80s. Widely used for communication during that time, they are just as easy to use today. They are readily available, but have a limited range, with low attendance in terms of users. Around one to ten miles are covered through CB radio, and if your correspondents aren’t within your range, you won’t be able to communicate. Groups that plan to stick together are perfect candidates for CB radios.

Family Radio Service
FRS might be the most popular type of radio communication option and they are available in most sporting goods stores throughout the United States. Most brands like to boast a long range, but in general, ten miles is their maximum communication range, especially in forests, mountains, or cities with buildings. While hiking, backpacking, or on camping trips, these walkie-talkies are great options.

Multi-Use Radio Service
The range is one to three miles, but the Very High Frequency (VHF) band allows for external antennas to be added for an additional range. Channels are clear, but finding radios in the same band might be challenging. Finding other receivers on different bands is effortless, however. In environments where radio interference is cluttered, this radio is a great option for a clear channel.

General Mobile Radio Service
In the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band spectrum, the range starts at two miles, with a higher-wattage radio power which also translates to a greater range. Elevated, clear areas can reach up to five miles of coverage. They can also be connected to external antennas along with repeaters to gain more range. With these added, five to eight miles of coverage is easily achieved, with an additional six to ten with a mobile base. Roughly five to 25 miles of coverage can also be achieved with mobile bases added. The “catch” with this radio is that it requires a license to operate legally.

Amateur (ham) Radio
Emergency response services, search-and-rescue organizations, and other emergency groups utilize amateur radios. They are the most versatile, can cover the most distance, and are used to communicate not only voice, but also images, text, and data. A license is required to operate, and there are different levels of licenses available. The Technician Class is an entry-level permit easily obtained. Many preppers are also avid amateur radio users, and a somewhat large network of support is available to newbies.

Radio: check. Food, clothing, and other supplies: … ? Check out Wolf Survival Gear today and fill in the blanks to ensure you’re prepared for the next natural or man-made disaster.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all of your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

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

Medicare Coverage After a Stroke

Yearly, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. The significant problems resulting from a stroke can include problems with balance, hearing or vision, paralysis, decreased mobility, and more. To fully understand what Medicare covers during recovery, read on.

Rehabilitation Services
Medicare will cover hospital, rehabilitation center, or skilled nursing facility care for those who have suffered from a stroke.

Medicare Part A will cover any inpatient rehabilitation necessary, as long as the patient’s doctor deemed it necessary. Stroke recovery care is factored into the requirements and costs associated with a typical skilled-nursing-facility. 

Medicare Part B will cover any needed outpatient rehabilitation such as physical therapy as long as the patient’s doctor noted it is necessary.

Medical Equipment
Medicare Part B will cover durable medical equipment as long as it is medically necessary for stroke survivors. Items on this list include wheelchairs, walkers, lifts, canes, etc.

If you have high risk factors for stroke, be vigilant and discuss your Medicare coverage with your provider. It is crucial to understand your costs fully, should you suffer from a stroke in the future. Take note of equipment, charges, services, and more in the event you will need to utilize your coverage.

To speak with one of our expert representatives regarding Medicare and coverage for stroke victims, contact Senior Health Medicare today.

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 evaluation in order for the member to retain the most cost-effective plan. 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.

How Wearable Technology is Affecting Medicare

An emerging trend in the healthcare industry is wearable technology, which is reshaping how Medicare brokers advise their clients. Major carriers are not adopting policies that incorporate wearable technology.

Just what exactly is wearable technology? These devices are commonly worn as bracelets or rings and can monitor or track major health concerns among Medicare beneficiaries. Activities such as sleep health, eating habits, exercise, and more disease precursors are all monitored by the individual (and the app) who pays attention to trends and spikes.

Rosamaria Marrujo, a board member of the Sacramento Association of Health Underwriters (SAHU), says, “These factors could theoretically bring down insurance premiums and therefore change how clients choose their Medicare policies.”

Regulations on wearable technology are underdeveloped relative to the expansion they are seeing. Despite a rising concern for public health due to possible privacy violations, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) does not classify wearable technology as medical devices. In California, the Consumer Privacy Act went into effect in January 2020, allowing people to stop companies from selling their information upon request. With this implementation, a movement could be sparked, igniting stricter regulations for wearable technology in the health insurance market.

“Both the advancement in wearable tech and these new privacy chances are influencing how older clients are deciding on healthcare plans. The bottom line is, this trend is not stopping; it has already reached Medicare beneficiaries who have questions. The successful Medicare brokers will be able to anticipate this and explain the impact to their clients,” said Marrujo.

For more information about offering Medicare to your clientele, contact the experts at Omega Benefit Strategies today.
 

Omega Benefit Strategies provides seniors who are affiliated with credit unions, labor unions, and associations an educational resource for Medicare. Our turnkey marketing packages seamlessly integrate 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.omegabenefit.org or call 888-404-5049.

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

Link Between COVID-19 and Endophthalmitis Found

A possible link between COVID-19 and endophthalmitis has been suspected for quite some time; now, researchers have established a connection between the two diseases, with a further investigation being conducted.

In only two months, three COVID-19 patients in New York’s Northwell Health Hospital succumbed to extreme vision loss from keratitis. Endophthalmitis resulted, and in one instance, a patient’s eye was removed. This occurrence of keratitis leading to endophthalmitis is exceedingly rare. Typically, cases of endophthalmitis from keratitis are associated with trauma or surgery.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology 2020 virtual conference released the findings. Researchers hope to gain more support from the medical community to conduct eye evaluations when assessing the role of anti-infectious treatments.

All three endophthalmitis patients were in their 60s, reside in the same relative area, and showed signs of the disease within a two-month period, while testing positive for COVID-19. Two were outpatients, and one was an in-patient at the time of diagnosis. One of the outpatients later passed away in a hospital. The culture results all came back from each individual with different organisms: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, and Candida parapsilosis.

A 2012 study reported that out of 9,934 eyes, only 27 throughout a 15-year period experienced endophthalmitis stemming from keratitis. Having three patients express symptoms while being diagnosed with COVID-19 is alarming, and suggests an association between the two.

Sonal S. Tuli, MD, said, “The findings do not suggest that COVID-19 causes endophthalmitis but that there is some relationship between the two. It is possible that some aspect of the health of these individuals made them more liable to get infected with COVID-19 as well as a severe infection in their eye, such as poor immune system or nutritional deficiencies. It is also possible that these findings are incidental because of the large numbers of COVID-positive patients presenting to New York hospitals during the peak of the pandemic.”

For further reading, refer to the article from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. To schedule an 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.

Hacker Tried to Poison Town’s Water Supply

In Oldsmar, Florida, a city of 15,000 people in the Tampa Bay area, a hacker remotely accessed the water treatment plant and adjusted the lye levels in the city’s drinking water, raising it to more than 100 times the normal level.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said, “It’s a bad act. It’s a bad actor. It’s not just a little chlorine, or a little fluoride – you’re basically talking about lye.”

A remote access software program called TeamViewer was used to infiltrate the water treatment facility. The intruder entered the system twice: 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. It is unclear whether the hacker entered the system by the use of a password, though it is required to use the system remotely, according to the assistant city manager Felicia Donnelly.

The hacker’s efforts were immediately caught by the system’s operator, who reduced the levels within the system. No significant changes were noted in the city’s water supply; the public was never in danger. The intrusion lasted between three and five minutes, according to the sheriff. 

Senator Marco Rubio, R-FL, said the attempt to poison the water supply should be treated as a “matter of national security.”

The incident highlights how critical infrastructure systems are to hackers due to online and remote-use programs. Experts have warned that these programs can be exploited by hackers looking to harm or inflict bioterrorism. Nationwide, water plant operators (including those at dams, oil, and gas pipelines) have welcomed the digital technology transformation, allowing contractors and engineers to monitor temperature, pressure, and chemical levels from remote work stations.

During the 2020 coronavirus lockdown in Israel, officials reported hackers affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps made a failed attempt to hack the country’s water supply and adjust the chlorine levels. Such attacks date back to 2007, when the United States and Israel conducted a joint attack on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, disabling nearly 1,000 uranium centrifuges.

The former director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Chris Krebs, said, “Unfortunately, that water treatment facility is the rule rather than the exception. When an organization is struggling to make payroll and keep systems on a generation of technology created in the last decade, even the basics in cybersecurity often are out of reach.”

Gualtieri said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Secret Service are involved in the investigation, but the county itself is using an in-house lab for the forensic analysis. Officials stressed it would have taken 24 to 36 hours for the water to be fully contaminated. When levels are out of limit or range, a number of alarms will sound, alerting staff.

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 offering 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.