Your Local Broker for Medicare Insurance Needs
Jay Looft Owner/Agent
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Smaller company, bigger benefits
Medicare beneficiaries usually just let their current Medicare plan autorenew, and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, the well-known, larger Medicare insurance carriers prefer that!
But, if you looked at some of the smaller Medicare insurance carriers for 2025, you would notice richer benefits versus what the “big guys” will be offering.
What do richer benefits look like for 2025?
Generous amounts of allowances for:
• Food • Utilites/Gas
• Dental • Hearing Aid
• Vision Correction • Mobility
And lower medical copays to boot!
These levels of “extras” could really make a difference in your monthly budget and lifestyle. Do note that some of these benefits would require
you to have a Chronic Condition like Heart, Diabetes, Lung, Kidney, Cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc. But a number of these benefits are included in the plan regardless of a chronic condition.
I know many of you are thinking, “well I probably have to have a low income to qualify, right?”. No, these extras and low copays are built right into the plans.
For those of you who have a Medicare Advantage plan currently, that is not ending or terminating, your final day to make a change is December 7th, 2024, for January 1st effective plans. If you are on a non-renewing or “exiting” plan, you will get through December 31st to make a change for January 1st effective plans.
If you are unsure which of the above dates apply to you, or would like to check out some of the smaller carriers, give us a call today at (770) 913-6464 or email me directly at Jay@SeniorSourceMedicare. com.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period ends on December 7th, 2024. There is no time to waste, call us today!
Brought to you by - Senior Source Medicare
Transplant Medicine and Dermatology
Our immune systems are our defense against the outside world’s infections – viruses, bacteria and all manner of pathogens ready to run amok.
And our immune systems are also our defense against the rebels within our own bodies – cells that have mutated and have turned into cancer.
One only needs to observe the effects of suppressing the immune system to know just how important the immune system is. Transplant doctors are in the unfortunate position of having to intentionally suppress a patient’s immune system. When a patient receives a new kidney, heart, lung or other organ, the patient is placed on medicine that suppresses the immune system. Without those medicines, the immune system would attack the transplanted organ, treat it as foreign, and “reject” it – attacking it until it perished.
Suppressing the immune system comes at a great cost. Organ transplant recipients have an approximately 200-fold increase in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), which is the most common type of skin cancer in this group of individuals. A 200-fold increase means a 20,000% increase. When a SCC occurs in such a patient, the mortality is nearly ten times higher than that of someone with a normal immune system.
For these reasons, regular skin exams are critical in the transplant population. Oddly, the importance of skin exams has sometimes seemed to be a bit of a blind spot. Many patients with organ transplants have told me that they were counseled about many of the problems that they could face after receiving a transplant but that the risk of skin cancer was either not mentioned or not particularly emphasized.
For organ transplant patients, immunosuppression is only part of the story. Unfortunately, some of the transplant medications are not only immunosuppressive but also mutagenic. There is evidence that some immunosuppressants (such as tacrolimus and mycophenolate) can cause mutations. These immunosuppressants may increase the rate that cancers occur independent of their immunosuppressive effects. To avoid this double whammy, dermatologists managing skin cancers in transplant patients often discuss whether alternatives can be employed.
Compounding the problem, some organ transplant recipients, particularly lung transplant patients, sometimes contract fungal infections that must be treated with voriconazole or its cousins. Voriconazole can directly and indirectly increase skin cancer risk in a population that is already vulnerable.
Science marches forward, and hope abounds as new strategies and treatments continue to be developed for skin cancer in the setting of organ transplantation. Increasingly effective “blue light therapy” regimens, topical chemotherapeutics and prompt skin cancer surgery keep almost all skin cancers in check. Trials are exploring injecting new immunotherapy medicines directly into skin cancers to reverse immunosuppression at the site of the cancer without reversing the immunosuppression at the transplanted organ.
Organ transplants are a miracle of modern science. However, like all gifts in medicine, organ transplants require maintenance, time and attention and come with risks. Dermatologists are instrumental in helping to manage these risks, and timely Mohs surgery is critical to prevent progression of skin cancers from operable lesions into much harder to manage tumors.
What is the lesson for the reader who doesn’t have a transplanted organ? Transplantation shows us the extremes of immunosuppression, but any amount of immunosuppression can be dangerous. If a patient has CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia), rheumatoid arthritis or any disease that results in a weakened immune system, then be on the lookout for skin cancer, and consider seeing a dermatologist regularly.
As we get into our 60s and older, “immunosenescence” kicks in, which is to say our immune systems get weaker as we get older, so it becomes increasingly important to treat skin cancers quickly the older we are.
Cherish a healthy immune system and protect it. Even topical steroids prescribed for conditions like eczema can be dangerous if used too long and in the wrong setting. Topical steroids like hydrocortisone and triamcinolone suppress the immune system where they are applied and should usually be avoided in heavily sun-damaged areas.
Make sure to do your part in keeping your immune system healthy. There’s no great secret – it’s exactly what you’ve heard before: Get plenty of rest. Laugh often. Avoid stress. Take wonderful vacations and do lots of what makes you happy. It’s just what the doctor ordered.
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 22 years experience as a Dermatology PA 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.
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
Brought to you by – Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta
Pre-op dental visit
Hogan M.D.
It is very important to prevent surgical infections from occurring, particularly immediately following joint replacements or in fact any orthopedic surgery. The oral cavity is a large biological reservoir for bacteria, some of which is found in the synovial fluid taken from infected joints. The bacteria enters the joint via the bloodstream. Having dental procedures or untreated periodontal disease are examples of when bacteria is released into the bloodstream. A simple and very effective way to ensure your mouth is healthy is to have a thorough dental examination that is completed about
six weeks prior to any surgical procedure. Six weeks allows for the dental problems to be resolved ahead of the surgical procedure. An infection following orthopedic surgery can result in failure of the procedure, especially if an implant (knee or hip replacement) was placed. Serious problems can occur requiring extensive and possible multiple surgeries to eliminate the invading bacteria from the joint. Orthopedic surgeons will almost universally give intravenous antibiotics during surgery to prevent local contamination. It is strongly recommended that you see your dentist first to avoid the possibility of secondary infections, or the need for emergency dental care immediately following surgery.
Smaller company, bigger benefits
Brought to you by - Senior Source Medicare
Medicare beneficiaries usually just let their current Medicare plan autorenew, and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, the well-known, larger Medicare insurance carriers prefer that!
But, if you looked at some of the smaller Medicare insurance carriers for 2025, you would notice richer benefits versus what the “big guys” will be offering.
What do richer benefits look like for 2025?
Generous amounts of allowances for:
• Food
• Utilites/Gas
• Dental
• Hearing Aid
• Vision Correction
• Mobility
And lower medical copays to boot!
These levels of “extras” could really make a difference in your monthly budget and lifestyle. Do note
that some of these benefits would require you to have a Chronic Condition like Heart, Diabetes, Lung, Kidney, Cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc. But a number of these benefits are included in the plan regardless of a chronic condition.
I know many of you are thinking, “well I probably have to have a low income to qualify, right?”. No, these extras and low copays are built right into the plans.
For those of you who have a Medicare Advantage plan currently, that is not ending or terminating, your final day to make a change is December 7th, 2024 for January 1st effective plans. If you are on a nonrenewing or “exiting” plan, you will get through December 31st to make a change for January 1st effective plans.
If you are unsure which of the above dates apply to you, or would like to check out some of the smaller carriers, give us a call today at (770) 315-8145 or email me directly at Jay@ SeniorSourceMedicare.com.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period ends on December 7th, 2024. There is no time to waste, call us today!
Paige Gorman Agent
Brought to you by - Dr. Sarah Miles
DMD and Dr. Michael
Importance of skin checks for mature skin
Brought to you by -
Dr. Kehinde Olumesi of Epiphany Dermatology - Brookhaven
As skin matures, it undergoes various changes that necessitate regular skin checks to ensure overall skin health. Differentiating between age spots, healthy moles and potential skin cancers is crucial. Age spots, often appearing as flat, brown, or black spots on sun-exposed areas, are generally harmless but can be mistaken for more serious conditions. Early detection of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. Therefore, routine skin examinations are essential for mature skin to maintain health and catch any issues early.
Addressing
skin conditions and rejuvenation procedures
Dermatologists can assist with a variety of skin conditions and rejuvenation procedures for mature skin. Common issues such as dryness, age-related pigmentation and conditions like rosacea, psoriasis and eczema, which can persist or develop with age, are also addressed with specialized care plans.
In addition to treating conditions,
dermatologists offer rejuvenating procedures to enhance the appearance and health of mature skin. Treatments such as chemical peels, laser rejuvenation
Cosmetic and dermal fillers can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin texture and promote collagen production. These procedures not only rejuvenate the
well-being. Establishing a relationship with a dermatologist ensures that your skin receives comprehensive care tailored to its evolving needs, promoting long-term skin
Thank you for voting us the Best in Eyecare!
Brought
to you by
– Mount Vernon Eye Care
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our patients and friends for voting us the My Dunwoody Best Eye Care for the second year in a row! As a family-owned business proudly serving the Dunwoody community for nearly 40 years, we are honored to be your trusted choice for comprehensive family eye care.
At Mount Vernon Eye Care, we provide exceptional service for all your health and fashion eyecare needs, and we look forward to continuing to serve you for many years to come.
Wishing you and your family a joyful and healthy holiday season. Stay safe, happy, and well! Please visit us at mountvernoneyecare. com or call us at 770.393.0003.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
While covering Milton election operations, Appen Media analyzed historical voter data and identified possible disenfranchisement.
This reporting caused a statewide watchdog to get involved and, eventually, the city moved to add a polling place to the area. Later in the year, Appen discovered that the feasibility report the City Council used when voting to run their own elections was not the original document. Two residents on a working committee had altered it after city staff had completed it and before its presentation to council. Appen Media reporters identified all of the differences between the two documents and then created an interactive digital document. Readers and officials were able to scroll through the materials and read notes from the newsroom explaining the differences. You can find this document at appenmedia.com/electionsreport.
