Appen Media Group
December Special Section
PEXELS
2 | December 2023 | AppenMedia.com
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Your Local Broker for Medicare Insurance Needs
Specializing in Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement Plans Serving North Atlanta Seniors for More Than 10 Years Representing Most Medicare Insurance Companies • Experienced Medicare Insurance Broker • Provides Personalized Plan Analysis Jay Looft Owner/Agent
• Annual Plan Updates, Including Upcoming Trends • No Cost to Use Our Services
770.913.6464
www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
Getting ready for the new year! Brought to you by – Jay Looft, Senior Source Medicare
for help. We can easily get a new ID card ordered for you.
With the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period behind us, you have already chosen to either stay on your current plan and allow it to auto-renew, or you are about to embark on a new chosen plan. Either way, we want to offer up a few recommendations before the 2024 plan year arrives!
Don’t be surprised with deductibles: Every January, I receive at least a few phone calls asking, “Why are my brandname prescription drugs so expensive?!” Whether you are on a Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan, many insurance companies will require you to pay up to the first $545 (for 2024) of your brand-name drug cost. This is your annual deductible on prescriptions. Remember, this is usually only for higher-cost prescription drugs (brandname medicines) and is a one-time per year dollar amount. It accounts for all your brand-name medicines and is not a per-prescription deductible. The information above gives you a few things to think about, but you may have questions when your Medicare plan starts fresh in 2024. We are here to help! SeniorSource Medicare Solutions is an independent insurance agency representing most insurance carriers for Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Stand-Alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plans. Call us at (770) 913-6464 or visit our website at www.Senior SourceMedicare.com.
Get a new insurance ID card: Every November or early December, you should receive a new plan ID card. It is important that you have the most up-todate ID card for the upcoming year. Why, you ask? Doctor copay dollar amounts (Primary Care and Specialist) are listed on your Insurance ID card, if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan. For many 2024 Medicare Advantage plans, these flat-dollar copays have lowered. I’ve seen too often where Medicare Advantage clients hold onto their previous year’s ID cards and end up paying too much when showing older ID cards to the front desk at a doctor’s office. Save more money by having the most up-to-date ID card! If you need help getting a new ID card for your plan, I recommend either calling your insurance carrier or contacting us
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AppenMedia.com | December 2023 | 3
Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery • Medical Dermatology Vein Care • Cosmetic Services
Honored to be Voted: Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist
FAIRFAX COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
Fourteen-year-old wins science award for soap that treats skin cancer Brought to you by – Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta Young innovator Heman Bekele recently won 3M’s Young Scientist Challenge by creating a bar of soap that might be able to treat skin cancer. Starting out, he wanted to invent a treatment for skin cancer that could be used in developing countries. Such a treatment would need to be inexpensive and stable outside of air-conditioned environments. He wondered if medicated soap could fit the bill. Heman’s soap combines four ingredients: salicylic acid, glycolic acid, tretinoin and a medication called imidazoquinoline. Tretinoin is commonly known as Retin-A® and is the main ingredient in many anti-acne and anti-wrinkle creams. Salicyclic acid and glycolic acid are common antiwart treatments. Together, tretinoin, salicyclic acid and glycolic acid can disrupt a person’s skin barrier so that other medicines can better penetrate the skin. This strategy could allow imidazoquinoline to better enter the skin and perform its job. Imidazoquinoline is an activator or “agonist” of toll like receptor (TLR) number 7. TLR’s are a family of proteins on the surface of many cells of our immune system. When these proteins are activated, the immune system becomes more active. TLR7, the protein targeted by Heman Bekele’s soap, is normally activated by certain viruses. TLR7 stimulates a part of the immune system that is important for fighting infections and cancer. Given that some skin diseases such as HPV-related squamous cell carcinoma are both an infection and a cancer, targeting TLR7 has been a winning strategy for fighting certain cancers. In fact, Aldara® (generic
name “imiquimod”) is a toll like receptor 7 agonist (activator) that has been FDA approved since 1997 and is used for the treatment of superficial basal cell skin cancers, certain types of warts, and pre-cancers called actinic keratoses. Aldara®’s clearance rates for superficial basal cell carcinoma are reasonable at approximately 75%. Unfortunately, Aldara® is known to be a relatively fragile cream. It is supplied in boxes of 12 or 24 singleuse packets. Common wisdom is that a partially used packet may be refrigerated overnight and used the next day. However, the package insert says that they are single use and must be stored at 39 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit and should not be frozen. These restrictions are reasonable in the United States but are not conducive to use in developing countries without access to refrigeration and temperature-controlled transportation. Heman Bekele’s soap could be ground-breaking if clinical trials take place and if they prove that imidazoquinoline can stand up to acids, heat, cold, water and repetitive use. Furthermore, potency with short application time might be an issue – how long would someone need to leave the soap on their skin for it to work? If successful, a hardy soap could be a useful vehicle as a topical cancer treatment. His research is likely at an early stage, but regardless, it is encouraging to read about young innovators problemsolving, thinking globally and trying to make the world a better place. Congratulations Heman! We hope that you enjoyed this article. If you or a loved one has skin cancer or any dermatologic or aesthetic need, please consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta.
Insist on the BEST Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care. He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables. Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 18 years experience as a Dermatology PA. We are excited to welcome her, as she brings with her experience in general dermatology and cosmetic dermatology. Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care. WINNER
WINNER
WINNER
WINNER
Dr. Brent Taylor
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
WINNER
WINNER
WINNER
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
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Best Of Best Of Best Of Best Of Best Of Best Of Best Of North North North North North North North Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta
Accepting new patients. We accept Medicare. Schedule your appointment with Premier Dermatology today. 3180 North Point Parkway, Suite 420 • Alpharetta, GA 30005 PremierDermatologyAtlanta.com • 678-345-1899
4 | December 2023 | AppenMedia.com
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ISTOCK
Healing together: understanding and supporting those with PTSD Brought to you by - Alexa Mellman, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Summit Counseling Center
Understanding the biological effects of PTSD can help loved ones provide appropriate support.
Understanding the far -reaching impacts of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is crucial for both those directly affected by it and their support networks. When a person experiences trauma (through experiences such as military combat, accidents, abuse, or assault), their body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. In individuals with PTSD, this stress response can become dysregulated, resulting in disproportionate reactions even in safe situations. PTSD’s effects on the brain can lead to heightened alertness or edginess, sleep issues, difficulty controlling emotions, and more. Beyond mental health, PTSD affects the body, increasing the risk of health issues including heart problems, immune and stomach issues, and chronic pain.
Here are a few additional tips if your loved one is experiencing PTSD: • Practice open communication. Assure your loved one you’re ready to listen when they’re ready, and try to remember that it’s often not personal when someone suffering with PTSD lashes out or becomes depressed (setting boundaries where necessary). • Prioritize self-care and seek support if needed. Engage in activities that promote your well-being, allowing you to be more resilient and supportive to your loved one. • Encourage your loved one to seek professional help from mental health experts who specialize in trauma and PTSD. For expert assistance and guidance, consider reaching out to Summit Counseling Center at summitcounseling.org.
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AppenMedia.com | December 2023 | 5
ASK APPEN What do you want to know about the community? Submit questions at appenmedia.com/ask or scan QR code.
Getting ready for the new year! Brought to you by - Jay Looft, Senior Source Medicare
for help. We can easily get a new ID card ordered for you.
With the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period behind us, you have already chosen to either stay on your current plan and allow it to auto-renew, or you are about to embark on a new chosen plan. Either way, we want to offer up a few recommendations before the 2024 plan year arrives!
Don’t be surprised with deductibles: Every January, I receive at least a few phone calls asking, “Why are my brandname prescription drugs so expensive?!” Whether you are on a Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan, many insurance companies will require you to pay up to the first $545 (for 2024) of your brand-name drug cost. This is your annual deductible on prescriptions. Remember, this is usually only for higher-cost prescription drugs (brandname medicines) and is a one-time per year dollar amount. It accounts for all your brand-name medicines and is not a perprescription deductible. The information above gives you a few things to think about, but you may have questions when your Medicare plan starts fresh in 2024. We are here to help!
Get a new insurance ID card: Every November or early December, you should receive a new plan ID card. It is important that you have the most up-todate ID card for the upcoming year. Why, you ask? Doctor copay dollar amounts (Primary Care and Specialist) are listed on your Insurance ID card, if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan. For many 2024 Medicare Advantage plans, these flat-dollar copays have lowered. I’ve seen too often where Medicare Advantage clients hold onto their previous year’s ID cards and end up paying too much when showing older ID cards to the front desk at a doctor’s office. Save more money by having the most up-to-date ID card! If you need help getting a new ID card for your plan, I recommend either calling your insurance carrier or contacting us
SeniorSource Medicare Solutions is an independent insurance agency representing most insurance carriers for Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Stand-Alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plans. Call us (770) 315-8145 or visit our website at www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com.
Your Local Broker for Medicare Insurance Needs
Specializing in Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement Plans Serving North Atlanta Seniors for More Than 10 Years Representing Most Medicare Insurance Companies • Experienced Medicare Insurance Broker • Provides Personalized Plan Analysis Paige Gorman Agent
• Annual Plan Updates, Including Upcoming Trends • No Cost to Use Our Services
770.315.8145
www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
6 | December 2023 | AppenMedia.com
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Revolutionizing fitness: The Exercise Coach's cutting-edge approach Brought to you by – The Exercise Coach Alpharetta At The Exercise Coach, we’re not just changing workouts; we’re redefining how people age. Our unique blend of innovative Exerbotics equipment and expert coaching creates a fitness experience like no other, specifically designed for individuals who value quality, efficiency, and personalized attention. Innovative Exerbotics: The Future of Fitness Our state-of-the-art Exerbotics equipment sets us apart. This isn’t your typical gym machinery. Each piece is engineered to adapt to your strength and capabilities, ensuring the most effective and safe workout possible. With Exerbotics, we can measure your performance in real time, providing instant feedback to optimize your training. It’s smart technology that evolves with you, ensuring every session is challenging yet achievable, regardless of your fitness level. Expert Coaches: Your Personal Fitness Guides
The heart of The Exercise Coach experience is our team of expert coaches. They’re not just trainers; they’re your personal fitness guides, equipped with deep knowledge of our Exerbotics technology and a passion for helping you achieve your goals. They understand that every body is unique, and they specialize in creating personalized routines that yield real results. Our coaches are your partners in fitness, dedicated to your success and well-being. Changing the Way We Age Our mission extends beyond fitness. We’re dedicated to changing the way people age. With The Exercise Coach, aging doesn’t mean slowing down; it means getting stronger, healthier, and more vibrant. Whether you’re in your 30s or well into retirement, our approach is designed to improve your quality of life, boosting not just physical strength, but confidence, energy, and longevity. Join us at The Exercise Coach and experience the future of fitness – a place where technology meets expertise to transform your health and redefine aging. It’s not just a workout; it’s a lifechanging journey.
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AppenMedia.com | December 2023 | 7
There’s a Podcast for Everyone!
In his long-awaited return to the airwaves, Caddy partners with his new co-host – and wife! - Donna, to bring his loyal listeners everything they’ve come to expect and love from Cadillac Jack.
Available for free wherever you listen to podcasts.
The Georgia Politics Podcast focuses on all things under the gold dome. Show host Preston Thompson covers the most noteworthy updates to the legislative session of Georgia’s House of Representatives and State Senate.
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8 | December 2023 | AppenMedia.com
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Delivering Readers Award-Winning Newspapers 2023 Georgia Press Association 1st Place – News Photograph 1st Place – Feature Writing 1st Place – Business Writing 1st Place – Serious Column 1st Place – Food Ad 1st Place – Newspaper Promotion Ad 1st Place – Classifieds Section/page
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