Doing Business In Michigan

As the weather starts to cool down and the crisp fall breeze fills the air, pool owners slowly begin to close them until the following year. Perhaps any ideas of renovating a pool go by the wayside; once the pool is closed, there might not be a second thought about it until spring. As the weather warms up and the pool is reopened in spring, many owners are suddenly reminded of the renovations they thought about last year. Instead of missing out on valuable pool time, they push the idea off another year…and the cycle repeats itself.

Thankfully, there is a way to remedy this trend. Instead of suffering through deferred maintenance, autumn is the ideal time to give your pool a facelift. Why? Read on…

First, a fall pool remodel minimizes the amount of time lost using your pool during peak season. When a pool is under construction, it’s decommissioned until the project is completed. In Michigan, outdoor pools are generally not in use during the winter anyway, so it’s a win-win.

Home improvements of any kind are typically anticipated to be quick and seamless, but that’s not always the case. In the summer, construction crews can sometimes be pressed for time due to several circumstances. The fall relieves many of those weights as the pool will not be in high demand, and the construction team will have time to focus on the project at-hand. The best part? The pool will be beautiful and ready to use in the spring – like magic!

Lastly, many homeowners replace or refresh plants, shrubs, and other landscape features around their pools in the fall. If the homeowner is considering refreshing the green area around the pool, a fall-time renovation is a perfect opportunity to ensure everything coexists beautifully. Minor pool updates such as tile and coping usually do not affect the landscape, but that might not be the case with a more extensive remodel. With potential heavy machinery and crews on the premises, it’s wise to schedule both backyard updates simultaneously; the refreshed landscaping and pool renovation will complement each other nicely.

Looking to renovate your pool this fall or thinking about how it can be updated before next season? Contact the experts at Pound Pool to schedule a consultation today.

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. 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.

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Congress and the Trump administration implemented a record number of legislative, regulatory, and sub-regulatory changes to the Medicare program. These alterations allow for unprecedented flexibility to healthcare providers, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Part D plans. Some of the changes waived Medicare participation conditions, allowing patients to be treated in alternative care settings. Other changes allow for telemedicine services to be eligible for Medicare reimbursement to physicians and other healthcare providers.

Significant COVID-19 changes that include telecommunication reimbursement include telephone visits, physician supervision services, urban and rural areas, and new sites (including patient homes). Hospitals can now provide alternative services at locations, including other healthcare facilities, expansion sites (hotels or community facilities), and specific services at patients’ homes. Moreover, licensed providers can provisionally offer services outside of their enrollment state. 

Both the benefits and unintended consequences of these policy actions should be carefully analyzed by policymakers and stakeholders to provide patients access to healthcare, and so providers can offer high-quality care. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, stakeholder input and analyses should inform the regular rulemaking process to guarantee any permanent governing adaptations improve the Medicare program. The effects of these policies should be meticulously studied to determine the most efficient way to prepare for future public health emergencies.

Want to know more about the new regulations or need some assistance navigating through Medicare terminology, plans, policies, etc.? Look no further; Senior Health Medicare is here to help you find your path through the Medicare world. Click here to read more information about regulatory changes. 

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 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.

Glaucoma is a condition that causes buildup from fluid and pressure inside the eye. If untreated, it can eventually lead to blindness. Over 70 million people worldwide are diagnosed with glaucoma. Therapies to help remediate pressure include eye drops (which help reduce fluid produced by the eye) or surgery to unblock the eye’s drainage system.

Thanks to a study conducted by the University of Missouri School of Medicine and MU Health Care, a non-invasive treatment called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) might provide glaucoma relief. This process uses a laser to modify eye tissue and release fluid, which allows drainage to occur.

The MSM and MUHC research teams reviewed 252 SLT procedures on 198 patients diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma. Following surgery, 33.6 percent of patients achieved a 20 percent or higher reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) after two months. At six months, 38.5 percent of patients had diminished IOP. Overall, patients with a higher baseline IOP had considerable reductions in pressure.

“There’s been a lack of evidence about how well SLT works, how safe it is and the ideal candidate,” said senior author Jella An, MD, an assistant professor of ophthalmology and a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist at MU Health Care’s Mason Eye Institute. “Because so little is known about SLT, there is a lot of apprehension among specialists about using it as a first-line treatment for glaucoma. Our research findings have helped me redefine the ideal patient for this procedure.”

Rohr Eye & Laser Center specializes in eye laser treatment therapy. Our goal is to get you the best vision possible. For more information regarding laser treatment success in glaucoma patients, read this article by Science Daily.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology 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 www.michiganlasik.com to schedule an appointment today.

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

Flint residents affected by the toxic lead water crisis will be eligible to receive payments from a $600 million preliminary settlement. A court-monitored victim compensation fund will allow Flint water crisis victims to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in payments. The parties involved in the settlement include the state of Michigan, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and all individual state defendants, including former governor Rick Snyder.

Almost 80 percent of the settlement fund will be divvied out to children who were under 18 when the crisis began in April 2014. The effects of lead are especially poignant in children, as the mineral impacts brain development. An earmarked $12-million fund will be created in escrow to offer special education and other services for children who suffer chronic health/behavioral impacts as a direct result of lead poisoning. Another $35 million will be placed in a trust for “forgotten children” who cannot file claims within the required time frame and will be eligible to do so when they reach adult age.

“The residents of Flint were victims of horrendous decisions by the state, its employees, and other defendants that have resulted in tragic and devastating consequences,” said Florida attorney Ted Leopold. He was appointed by a federal judge along with Royal Oak attorney Michael Pitt, to lead a class-action litigation combining scores of individual lawsuits. “While we can never undo the damage that occurred to the citizens and community of Flint, we are pleased that today we were able to secure a measure of justice for the Flint community,’ Leopold stated.

As for the US Environmental Protection Agency and other private organizations involved in the shift of Flint’s drinking water source from (safe) Lake Huron to the (toxic) Flint River, litigation will continue.

Concerned about toxins, minerals, and/or contaminants in your drinking water? The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning are committed to solving your water needs. We offer several services to ensure your water is the best it has ever been…chemical-free. For more information about the Flint Water Crisis, read the full Detroit Free Press article.

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.

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. 

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.

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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