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  • How to Avoid Repair Scams Amid Connecticut’s Historic Flooding

    How to Avoid Repair Scams Amid Connecticut’s Historic Flooding

    At Lawley, we want to help protect what you’ve worked so hard to build.

    With historic flooding throughout Connecticut, we encourage homeowners to stay diligent and to be aware of the potential increase in fraudulent repair scams during this vulnerable time. As stated in the Connecticut Insurance Department Consumer Alert, “severe weather events often attract scammers who prey on vulnerable homeowners in need of urgent repairs.” Taking precautions and ensuring that a contractor is legitimate can prevent further financial loss.

    Tips for Recognizing Repair Scams:

    Avoid Red Flags

    There’s a few telltale signs that indicate a contractor may be fraudulent:

    1. Asks for payments in cash or by wire transfer
    2. Does not provide a written contract
    3. Offers a special price off of a repair, before providing the final estimated price
    4. Solicits business directly at your door, without prior contact
    5. Unable to provide references or proof of credentials

    Take Precautions

    1. Do your research and compare multiple contractors. You can confirm if a contractor is appropriately licensed and registered. In Connecticut, you can check this information by going to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection website here.
    2. Retrieve estimates from several licensed and reputable contractors before committing to the best option for you. Ask for references and contact previous clients to discuss if work was done in accordance to contact price and work expectations.
    3. Ensure you receive a detailed written contract, review all aspects, and ask questions if needed before signing.

    Lawley has several locations in Connecticut including Darien, North Haven, Norwalk, Shelton, and Stamford as well as 10+ locations throughout New York and New Jersey.

    To learn more about our personal insurance options, contact us today.

  • Lawley Named in Business Insurance’s Annual Best Places to Work in Insurance

    Lawley Named in Business Insurance’s Annual Best Places to Work in Insurance

    Buffalo, NY, (September 9th, 2024) | Lawley, an independent family-owned insurance broker and employee benefits firm, has been named to Business Insurance’s annual Best Places to Work in Insurance list, which recognizes employers for their outstanding performance in establishing workplaces where employees can thrive, enjoy their work, and help their companies grow.

    “This recognition represents the great teamwork that is needed to create our culture, where we share one voice and one vision,” says Lawley Principal, Bill Lawley, Jr. “We’re so proud of our associates, our greatest asset, who work diligently to deliver exceptional service to our customers.”

    Established and headquartered in Buffalo for over 65 years, Lawley’s story has been one of steady, well-managed growth with deep community involvement. We protect assets and minimize risk to help our customers avoid financial hardship and understand that being a partner of choice is dependent upon all of us working together. Lawley’s core values – relationship building, respect & integrity, passion, accountability, and community partners – are in action each and every day collectively shaping our culture of inclusion.

    Best Places to Work in Insurance is an annual sponsored content feature presented by the Custom Publishing unit of Business Insurance and Best Companies Group that lists the agents, brokers, insurance companies, and other providers with the highest levels of employee engagement and satisfaction. Harrisburg, PA-based Best Companies Group identifies the leading employers in the insurance industry by conducting a free two-part assessment of each company. The first part is a questionnaire completed by the employer about company policies, practices, and demographics. The second part is a confidential employee survey on engagement and satisfaction.

    The program divides employers into the categories of small, 25-249 employees; medium, 250-999 employees; and large, 1,000 or more employees. This year’s report features 100 companies of various sizes, from 25 employees to more than 4,000.The ranking and profiles of the winning companies will be unveiled in the November issue of Business Insurance Magazine and online at BusinessInsurance.com.

    Lawley strives to be the partner of choice for customers, insurance carriers, and employees looking for long-term relationships built on a foundation of trust. This recognition signifies our efforts to actively and continuously work to build and grow a diverse and equitable team of associates who will strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients and the communities we serve.

    “We are so proud of the commitment to teamwork and honored to create an environment where all can succeed across our footprint,” says Director of People Strategy and Recruitment, Kim Navagh.

    “As we continue to expand across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and beyond, it’s amazing to see the collaboration and shared focus on our core values and vision so that we can serve our clients in the best possible way, says Director of Operations, Reggie Dejean.

  • Inside Medicare: How will I know the cost of my medications next year?

    Inside Medicare: How will I know the cost of my medications next year?

    Lawley Medicare Solutions Learning Center:

    Ask Janell!

     

    QUESTION:  I know what my medications cost me this year, but how will I know how much it will be next year?

     

    ANSWER:  Each year we have insurance, the cost structures change. It doesn’t matter if we have employee health insurance, retiree coverage, Medicare coverage or a Marketplace plan. Insurance almost always changes year to year. As we approach the last quarter of 2024, we all begin looking to 2025 with anticipation.

    I want to focus on Medicare, since that is my specialty. In 2025 there are some major changes to Medicare Part D Standard Coverage. These changes have been widely anticipated and I hope will save many of those on Medicare a significant amount of money.

    In 2025 Medicare Part D standard coverage moves from four phases of coverage to just three phases over the calendar year. You start off the year with a $590 deductible. Plans can offer a lower deductible, but the deductible cannot be any higher than $590. Once that deductible has been met, your medication coverage moves into the Initial Coverage phase. During this phase of coverage, most plans offer a Tiered system. The medications that each plan covers (listed in each plans’ formulary) are divided into Tiers. Usually there are 5 Tiers, but some plans offer 6 Tiers. The lower the Tier, the lower your copay structure is. Some plans offer a dollar figure in the Tier, like $0, or $5 or $45 or $90, and some plans offer a percentage in their Tiers, like 28% or 33%.

    One significant change coming in 2025 is that there is no more Coverage Gap (sometimes called the “donut hole”). In 2025, when your medication copays reach $2000, you automatically move into the Catastrophic phase of coverage and all your copays for the remainder of the year are $0. In 2024, moving into that Catastrophic phase of coverage required spending closer to $3400.

    For those individuals who take expensive medication, this will be a significant cost savings.

    The second significant change in 2025 is that each plan is required to offer all those who take medications a “Medicare Prescription Payment Plan” (sometimes called M3P). Each individual can decide whether they want to enroll in this option. If you do enroll, you will not pay for your medications at the pharmacy, but instead you will receive a monthly bill (payment plan) from your Part D plan that reflects your spending at the pharmacy, spread across all 12 months of that year. Note that you will be able to apply for M3P online, over the phone, or by mail – and if you can benefit from M3P you should sign up using one of these methods early, as you will NOT be able to apply in person at the pharmacy.

    M3P will be a significant benefit to those individuals who take expensive medications, because they won’t have to shell out that $2000 in January & February – instead they’ll pick up their medications at the pharmacy and spread out that $2000 bill over the year. If you don’t enroll into the payment plan until later in the year, then your copays will be paid at the pharmacy until you opt to enroll into the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, and then any further medication copays will be spread over the remaining months of the year according to the amount of your copays.

    To illustrate this in dollars, if you enroll in M3P in January and you spend up to your catastrophic amount of $2000 immediately, your monthly payment will be $167 ($2,000 divided by 12 months). There is NO interest paid on this debt. If you enroll in March with a $2000 copay, your monthly payment would be $223 ($2,000 divided by 9 months). Those numbers are much easier to meet in monthly budget, than $2000 immediately. Also, many individuals were putting this really high copay charge in past years on a credit card and then paying significant interest for the amount of time it took to pay it back, which put many of those in Medicare into financial hardship through no fault of their own!

    You all know how much I look forward to learning what Medicare coverage will become each year! We are fast approaching the Annual Enrollment Period, when you get to evaluate your coverage for the coming year, 2025!! It is already here! I am getting excited. Watch your mail for your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). That is the document that tells you how YOUR product will be changing for 2025. I will be talking about it a lot in the coming months. You will be seeing commercials, and getting mail, getting phone calls, and emails. All of these will encourage you to switch to another product. You don’t HAVE to switch, but you are allowed to switch, between October 15 and December 7.

     

    Read all Inside Medicare articles HERE.

     

    LAWLEY HAS A TEAM DEDICATED TO MEDICARE INSURANCE!

    Our licensed Medicare & Individual Health Insurance team can help clients understand the details of Medicare insurance plans, assist with choosing the right benefits and coverage, and provide guidance when life events that affect health coverage occur.

    For questions, concerns, or to reach Lawley Medicare Solutions, fill out the contact form below or call 716.849.1540.

  • Lawley expands across footprint. Welcomes Phil Scaffidi, Joe Moran, and new role for Carl Belizaire.

    Lawley expands across footprint. Welcomes Phil Scaffidi, Joe Moran, and new role for Carl Belizaire.

    Lawley, an independent family-owned insurance brokerage and employee benefits firm, continues its growth across the Northeast by welcoming Phil Scaffidi, Employee Benefits Consultant in Buffalo, NY, Joe Moran, Insurance Advisor in Florham Park, New Jersey, and Carl Belizaire, Insurance Advisor in Buffalo, New York. These additions aid in several growth initiatives across the agency.

    Skilled in creating meaningful relationships with clients, Scaffidi will serve as an advisor providing employee benefit solutions. Prior to Lawley, Scaffidi held leadership roles in business sales in the Western New York community for 10+ years. He will use his previous software industry experience to help clients navigate the various benefits administration solutions that Lawley offers. He holds a Life, Accident, and Health License, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Nazareth University.

    Lawley is also growing their Property & Casualty sales division by adding Joe Moran to Florham Park and Carl Belizaire to Buffalo. Both Moran and Belizaire will provide creative solutions to meet the needs of their clients and help them understand the various business insurance solutions Lawley offers.

    With nearly a decade of experience, Moran brings vast industry expertise, which will enable him to effectively work with clients and streamline the insurance evaluation and implementation process. Moran was previously a Property & Casualty Vice President and held several roles in the insurance industry. Moran was inducted into the Top Producer’s Club, is a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), a Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS), and earned a bachelor’s degree from The State University of New York at Fredonia.

    Bringing his skillset to the sales team, Belizaire will transition from Surety Specialist to Insurance Advisor serving the Buffalo community. Through his previous role, Belizaire built strong relationships with agents, brokers, and carriers, and assisted with strategies for Lawley’s surety and bond business. Belizaire possesses diverse leadership experience and will continue to develop relationships with clients to minimize their cost of risk. Belizaire holds a NYS Property & Casualty Brokers License, a NYS Notary License, and earned degrees from Medgar Evers College and Baruch College.

    With 15+ locations and continued growth efforts across the footprint, Lawley protects assets and minimizes risk to help customers avoid financial hardship. Lawley provides more than 50 specialized services, including business insurance, home and auto insurance, Medicare insurance coverage, retirement planning, wealth management, and employee benefits administration.

    “We’re excited for Phil and Joe to join our team and welcome Carl to the sales division. Their industry knowledge and expertise makes our team even stronger and will greatly benefit our clients in WNY and across our entire footprint,” says Mike Lawley, Principal of Lawley.

  • Inside Medicare: How does my spouse’s Medicare benefit impact the coverage my employer provides us?

    Inside Medicare: How does my spouse’s Medicare benefit impact the coverage my employer provides us?

    Lawley Medicare Solutions Learning Center:

    Ask Janell!

     

    QUESTION: I am currently on my employer’s High Deductible Health Plan, which includes an HSA, and my husband is turning 65. How does his Medicare benefit impact the coverage my employer provides us?

     

    ANSWER: Turning 65 and becoming eligible for Medicare insurance is an important threshold for your husband, and your health insurance coverage could be impacted.

    The first issue I want to address is your HSA (Health Savings Account) contribution. These contributions are pretax dollars which can be used to pay medical expenses and premiums at a later date. When you have a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) you often have the option of contributing to an HSA. In some situations, your employer contributes to this HSA on your behalf as well. This HSA has contribution limits each year, and in 2024 you can contribute up to $4,150 for most individuals, $8,300 for a family. If you are over 55 years of age, you can add an additional $1,000 to your HSA. This HSA money accumulates over time, and continues to be your money EVEN AFTER the insurance coverage ends.

    When evaluating your coverage, it is important to look at what you are contributing to the HSA. The first thing I could ask you to evaluate is the amount you and your employer are contributing to the HSA. If you are currently contributing the maximum for a family + the additional amount due to your age, that could be as much as $10,300, if you are both over 55. Note that once you become Medicare eligible, YOU CAN NO LONGER CONTRIBUTE INTO AN HSA. So once your husband turns 65 and thus becomes eligible for Medicare insurance, you and your employer can no longer contribute to the HSA on his behalf. Then you will be the only one contributing to the HSA, and your new maximum contribution will be $5,150, if you’re over 55.

    Your HSA contribution amount may need to be adjusted to reflect the rule against contributions. This is because the rule relates to the IRS tax code and could have income tax ramifications if your contribution amount is not adjusted. If you evaluate your HSA contribution and find you and your employer are putting into the HSA is less than $5,150 (if you are over 55), there is nothing you need to do regarding your HSA, you may continue to contribute to it and keep it as your health insurance. If you are contributing more than that, you must reduce your amount to less than that.

    The second issue worth reviewing is the cost of the HDHP with regard to the premium you pay for you and your husband’s coverage. Medicare Part A (Hospital Coverage) has no premium for most enrollees. For those individuals with less than 10-year work history there is a monthly premium. Medicare Part B has a monthly premium of $174.70 for most individuals. Individuals with an annual income over $103,000 and married couples with income over $206,000 pay a higher Medicare Part B premium. Medicare Part A has a deductible of $1,632 for each hospital stay of up to 60 days. Medicare Part B has a deductible of $240 per year and then Medicare Part B pays 80% with 20% of covered services left for the individual to pay. Then your husband also needs to add on a Prescription Drug Plan of some type.

    There are over 70 different plan options available (to those in Western New York with Medicare insurance), which means there are many options available to your husband if he were to leave your employer provided HDHP. He should investigate his Medicare insurance options and review those cost structures to compare them to your HDHP coverage. He may find coverage that would be appropriate for his situation. His health, his medications, his providers, and his pharmacy are all parts of that evaluation process.

    If he decides to enroll into Federal Medicare program, aka Parts A & B, he would contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to sign up. When he’s approved and his Medicare ID card arrives, he could stay on your plan and keep the Federal Medicare plan, or he could drop off your plan and choose his own Medicare insurance coverage. Your employer provided HDHP might reduce your premium if he leaves and it starts to cover just you. His Medicare insurance coverage would provide his health insurance. Moving forward, every single year he can adjust that coverage as necessary for his health needs during the Annual Open Enrollment period of October 15 to December 7.

    You are smart to consider the options that Medicare insurance offers your husband and impacts your employer provided HDHP.

     

    Read all Inside Medicare articles HERE.

     

    LAWLEY HAS A TEAM DEDICATED TO MEDICARE INSURANCE!

    Our licensed Medicare & Individual Health Insurance team can help clients understand the details of Medicare insurance plans, assist with choosing the right benefits and coverage, and provide guidance when life events that affect health coverage occur.

    For questions, concerns, or to reach Lawley Medicare Solutions, fill out the contact form below or call 716.849.1540.

  • International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31st

    International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31st

    Opioids: Addiction, Escalation and Overdose

    Opioids, a class of prescription medications that are all derived from the same plant as heroin, are a particularly powerful—and particularly dangerous—class of prescription painkiller, and one that’s become especially prominent as a treatment for injuries. In fact, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the number of opioid prescriptions written has nearly tripled in the past three decades, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down.

    In certain circumstances, opioids are a powerful tool that can ease a patient’s pain or aid in a speedy recovery from a traumatic injury. However, the risks associated with opioids—addiction, escalation to heroin or other drugs, and overdose—mean that patients, doctors, and loved ones need to remain vigilant about this pervasive, and potentially lethal, risk.

    Dependence and Addiction

    Patients who are prescribed opioids are often susceptible to dependence and addiction. Because the prolonged use of opioids results in a higher tolerance, the body’s endogenous opioids (which are opioids, like endorphins, that occur naturally in the body) become insufficient to stave off the physical symptoms of withdrawal. Doctors are aware of and even expect many patients to develop a physical dependence if prescribed opioids for a prolonged period of time. Fortunately, doctors can account for this and create interventions that allow patients to break their dependence, usually by gradually lowering the dosage.

    Unfortunately, physical dependence is often a precursor to addiction. Addiction occurs when a patient develops uncontrollable cravings for a drug and engages in risky or self-destructive behavior in order to acquire it. It’s worth noting that not all people who develop an addiction have a physical dependency on the drug, just as not all those who have a dependence on the drug will necessarily become addicted.

    Heroin Use

    One especially disturbing trend has been the rapid increase of both heroin use and heroin overdose. These increases coincide with the increased prevalence of opioid use and overdose in the United States. Though it is a disturbing trend, the correlation isn’t altogether surprising. Prescription opioids are chemically very similar to heroin, which is a naturally occurring drug derived from the opium poppy.

    Two factors—the chemical similarity between heroin and prescription opioids and the increased availability of more potent forms of heroin flooding the country in recent years—have created an environment in which people see and use opioids and heroin interchangeably. When opioid users transition to heroin, either as a supplement to or as a cheap replacement for opioids, they then assume all of the risks associated with unregulated, illegal drugs. Unknown levels of purity can make it hard to ascertain the amount of heroin the body can tolerate, and additives used to “cut” the drug might themselves be lethal.

    Overdose

    Overdose is an especially complicated risk when it comes to opioids. Most overdoses are usually the result of a patient taking a combination of drugs that can depress the central nervous system and depress breathing, resulting in suffocation. Case law has been varied, depending on both the state and circumstances of overdose.

    But, even in cases where other drugs aren’t in play, patients can and still do overdose. One of the side effects of opioid use is impaired judgment and confusion. It’s not uncommon for a patient to take a dose and find him- or herself taking an additional dose, having forgotten about the earlier dose.

    3 Ways to Curb Opioid Abuse

    Fortunately, there are measures that doctors and loved ones can take to decrease the abuse of opioids amongst patients. Taken together, they represent a robust, comprehensive strategy for keeping patients safe and free from substance abuse.

    1. Education: The best way to combat drug use is to stop it before it starts, and the best way to prevent opioid abuse is through education. The good news is that a number of surveys show that patients are becoming more invested in their health care treatment plans and are looking for more information.
    2. Speak with Health Care Providers: Talk to doctors about overprescribing opioids. Sometimes, when dealing with severe acute pain or chronic pain for which other interventions have failed, opioids might be an appropriate treatment. Often, though, doctors may prescribe opioids to patients who might do just as well, or better, with other, less dangerous pain relievers. Make sure the doctors that you work with are aware of all treatment options and are diligent about preventing opioid abuse.
    3. Gather Thorough Patient Histories: Certain risk factors—like depression, high blood pressure or obesity—radically increase the likelihood of dangerous side effects from opioid use. Gathering patient histories can alert doctors to these risk factors and allow them to alter treatment plans so that patients with a high risk are closely monitored for those ill effects.

    Mitigate the Risks

    Opioids can be a powerful tool to assist in the healing process, so eliminating them completely isn’t an option. For more information on how to mitigate the risk of opioid abuse, contact Lawley today.

  • The Gut-Brain Connection

    The Gut-Brain Connection

    Scientific research indicates that gut health may play a bigger role in overall well-being than many people realize. In fact, research published in the National Library of Medicine shows that there is a nervous system in the gut that produces approximately 95% of the body’s serotonin, which regulates mood, sleep, digestion and other critical functions. Commonly referred to as a “second brain,” the gut’s nervous system contains over 100 million nerve cells that line the gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the rectum, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. This nervous system is likely the reason for feelings like “butterflies” in your stomach and explains why people sometimes feel nauseous when they’re anxious or excited.

    Crucially, the relationship between your mind and gut also impacts your mental and physical health. An unhealthy gut can contribute to mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression, and vice versa. It can also contribute to the development of certain diseases. This article explains the gut-brain connection and provides guidance for improving your gut health.

    Understanding the Gut-brain Connection

    Both the brain and the gut have neurons that tell the body how to behave. They also have neurotransmitters, which control feelings and emotions. Communication occurs through the vagus nerve, which connects the gut and the brain through the gut-brain axis. Scientists don’t believe that the “second brain” in your gut is capable of thought; however, they’ve shown that it can communicate with your brain, producing significant results. For example, people with irritable bowel syndrome often experience big emotional shifts, such as mood changes, depression and anxiety.

    Signs of an Unhealthy Gut

    The National Library of Medicine reported that gut health is linked to the following conditions:

    • Mental health issues
    • A weak immune system
    • Autoimmune diseases
    • Cardiovascular diseases
    • Endocrine diseases
    • Gastrointestinal diseases
    • Cancer

    An unhealthy gut can impact your immune system, weight and hormones. It may also make you more susceptible to disease. Gut health can be negatively impacted by stress, lack of sleep, antibiotics and diet.

    Improving Your Gut Health

    A healthy gut may be associated with improved mental and physical health. Promote gut health with the following practices:

    • Manage your stress. Chronic stress is hard on your gut. Reduce stress by meditating, spending time with family and friends, limiting alcohol consumption and getting counseling.
    • Get enough sleep. Insufficient sleep can negatively impact your gut, which can cause more sleep issues. Prioritize getting seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night.
    • Drink plenty of water. Hydration can increase the diversity of healthy bacteria in your gut and reduce the type of gut bacteria that cause gastrointestinal infections.

    Eating for a Healthy Gut

    Processed, sugary and high-fat foods can irritate your gut and cause poor gut health. Instead, focus on eating foods that are high in fiber and contain micronutrients called polyphenols, such as fruits, vegetables, coffee and tea. Eat plenty of the following foods to promote gut health:

    • High-fiber foods (e.g., beans, vegetables and fruits)
    • Garlic
    • Fermented foods (e.g., sauerkraut, yogurt and kefir)
    • Collagen-rich foods (e.g., citrus fruits, meat, eggs and nuts)

    You can also take prebiotics or probiotics to promote the growth of beneficial growth in the gut. Such products should be used with caution, as not all products are high quality or good for your gut. Additionally, people with severe illnesses or a weak immune system shouldn’t take these supplements without consulting a health care professional.

    Conclusion

    The connection between your gut and your brain has a significant impact on your overall health. With certain lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and adequate stress management, you can reap the benefits of a healthy gut. Speak to your health care provider for more information on gut-healthy foods.

    Contact Lawley today to learn more.

  • Understanding Psoriasis: Symptoms, Triggers, and Management

    Understanding Psoriasis: Symptoms, Triggers, and Management

    Psoriasis affects more than 8 million people in the United States, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. The disease occurs equally in men and women, and people typically have their first outbreak between the ages of 15 and 25. Psoriasis most often occurs on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, face, palms and soles of the feet.

    Normally, skin cells mature and shed from the body after about a month. If you suffer from psoriasis, cell maturation increases, taking only three to four days. This causes dead skin cells to accumulate in thick patches resulting in lesions, which can itch, burn, crack or cause restricted movement.

    Types of Psoriasis

    Psoriasis is chronic and unpredictable. Symptoms can come on suddenly and disappear just as quickly. There are five common types of psoriasis, each with its own characteristic skin lesion:

    • Plaque psoriasis—Raised, inflamed, red lesions covered by a silvery, white buildup of dead skin cells primarily affecting the trunk, elbows, knees, scalp, fingernails and toenails. This is the most common form of psoriasis.
    • Erythrodermic psoriasis—Red, swollen lesions that appear on large areas of skin.
    • Guttate psoriasis—Small, drop-like lesions that appear on the trunk, limbs and scalp.
    • Inverse psoriasis—Large, dry, smooth, red lesions that appear in the folds of skin.
    • Pustular psoriasis—Small, blister-like lesions that contain white pus found either all over the body or confined to the palms and soles. This form of psoriasis occurs most often in children.

    Causes

    The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it seems that the immune system somehow mistakenly triggers T cells in the skin. T cells trigger excessive skin cell reproduction, speeding up the growth cycle. Your genetic makeup may determine if you are likely to develop psoriasis, but not everyone with a genetic predisposition will develop the condition. Instead, certain triggers seem to awaken and activate the disease in those with a genetic predisposition, including:

    • Emotional stress
    • Injury to the skin
    • Immune system response to disease
    • Some types of infections
    • Reactions to certain drugs

    People suffering from psoriasis may also notice that there are times when their skin worsens and then improves for no apparent reason. Some factors that may cause flare-ups include:

    • Changes in climate
    • Dry or sunburned skin
    • Alcohol
    • Medications
    • Infections

    Treatment

    There is no cure for psoriasis, but there are things you can do to help control your symptoms:

    • Keep the skin lubricated.
    • Use a humidifier in colder, dryer months.
    • Do not get too much sun.
    • Use mild soaps or soap-free cleansers.
    • Eat a nutritionally balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight.
    • Do not scratch, rub or pick the lesions.
    • Bathe daily to soak off the scales.
    • Use soaps, shampoos, cleansers or ointments containing coal tar or salicylic acid.
  • Inside Medicare: How do I join Medicare?

    Inside Medicare: How do I join Medicare?

    Lawley Medicare Solutions Learning Center:

    Ask Janell!

    QUESTION: I am turning 65 later in the year and wondering how I join Medicare. Does it happen automatically?

    ANSWER: Medicare coverage eligibility begins at age 65. Individuals with disabilities may get Medicare coverage earlier. Historically, at age 65, individuals were eligible for Full Social Security Benefits, but now Full Retirement age is based on your year of birth, and probably starts after age 66. You can receive early retirement benefits from Social Security at age 62. These eligibility rules for Social Security benefits has changed the Medicare enrollment procedures. If you are collecting Social Security in some form (widow’s benefits, early retirement benefits, or disability) then Medicare will start automatically at age 65. Medicare will send you a packet of information with your Medicare ID Card three months before your 65th birthday month. If you accept the benefits, you do nothing. You simply tear off the card, and put it in your wallet. Your coverage will begin automatically the first of your birthday month.

    When you receive this Medicare packet and you do NOT want to enroll in Medicare Part B (which costs $174.70 monthly for most Americans) then you send back the card and have JUST Medicare Part A. To return the card, you must sign the refusal statement on the back and mail it back to Social Security Administration using the yellow envelope enclosed in that packet. In order to refuse Medicare Part B, you must have insurance coverage from a current employer plan from either yourself or your spouse.

    If you are NOT collecting Social Security benefits, you MUST contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to begin receiving Medicare benefits at age 65. If you do NOT enroll when originally eligible, you will have some restrictions as to when you can enroll and incur premium penalties when you enroll later.

    In thinking about when to contact SSA, remember that there have been some difficulty in getting through to the staff there. You can go to the local SSA office or call 1-800-772-1213, or use the SSA.gov website. If you go in person or call the office, they will schedule an appointment in approximately six weeks to sign up for the benefits, so you want to go earlier rather than close to your birth month. Ideally three months before your birthday month. Your login at SSA.gov provides a way to sign up directly, which may be quicker for you.

    When you contact Social Security, they will review your situation and help you determine whether or not you need Medicare Parts A & B. You may choose to enroll in Part A and NOT Part B. They also will explain the billing procedure for paying for Medicare Part B premium (since you are NOT collecting Social Security, you can’t have it deducted from that check). You will receive an invoice every three months ($174.70 X 3 = $524.10) to pay the Part B premium amount directly.

    If you have insurance from another source you may NOT NEED to enroll in Medicare at age 65. The other source must be an employer plan of either yourself or your spouse’s full-time active employment. Most retiree plans require you to join Medicare at age 65 if you want to continue to receive coverage from their plans.

    I cannot stress enough how important this decision is with regard to refusing Medicare or not signing at the correct time. If you have any doubts or are not sure what to do, contact the Social Security Administration three months prior to your 65th birthday and find out what you should do. If you receive the packet automatically, you will probably receive it three months prior to your 65th birthday month. If you have questions or think you may have lost or destroyed your packet, go to your local Social Security Administration office, or call 800-772-1213, to clarify your particular situation.

    In some situations, if you wait until after your 65th birthday to contact Social Security and you don’t start Medicare at the appropriate time, you may have time without coverage, or penalties to pay.

    It is YOUR 65th birthday! Let’s celebrate it early by visiting Social Security and getting your Medicare situation straightened out ahead of time.

    Read all Inside Medicare articles HERE.

     

    LAWLEY HAS A TEAM DEDICATED TO MEDICARE INSURANCE!

    Our licensed Medicare & Individual Health Insurance team can help clients understand the details of Medicare insurance plans, assist with choosing the right benefits and coverage, and provide guidance when life events that affect health coverage occur.

    For questions, concerns, or to reach Lawley Medicare Solutions, fill out the contact form below or call 716.849.1540.

  • 2024 Midyear Market Outlook – Commercial Property Insurance

    2024 Midyear Market Outlook – Commercial Property Insurance

    The commercial property insurance segment has been characterized by ongoing premium increases for much of the past decade.

    In 2024, these difficult market dynamics have somewhat eased; however, most insureds are still experiencing double-digit rate increases. Looking toward the second half of 2024, existing segment challenges will probably press on, so insureds who conduct high-risk operations, have poor property management practices, or are located in natural disaster-prone areas may remain susceptible to continued rate hikes and coverage limitations.

    Developments and Trends to Watch

    Natural disasters

    According to a recent report from professional services firm, Aon, global natural disasters caused $17 billion in insured losses during the first quarter of 2024, representing a major increase from the median of $12 billion for this time period over the past 20 years.

    In the United States, these losses were largely driven by secondary perils, including severe convective storms (e.g., thunderstorms, hailstorms, and tornadoes), winter weather events, and flooding. The growing intensity of these catastrophes has posed concerns in the commercial property insurance segment and these trends are only expected to worsen as the year goes on. In particular, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is projecting that unusually warm land and sea temperatures will keep spawning severe storm systems throughout 2024, leading to more tornadoes in an already record-high season and contributing to “above normal” hurricane activity along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.

    Consequently, natural disaster trends will likely continue to exacerbate commercial property losses and create market difficulties in the future.

    Parametric coverage

    As natural disasters become more severe, parametric coverage has risen in popularity. Contrary to the reimbursement method of standard commercial policies, parametric insurance offers protection based on a predetermined, measurable characteristic tied to a covered event.

    Under such coverage, the amount a policyholder is compensated isn’t decided by the exact cost of damages sustained but rather by the calculated intensity of the covered event itself. For instance, if a hurricane caused damage to a commercial property, a parametric policy might reimburse a set dollar amount linked to the storm’s wind speeds.

    Key advantages of this coverage include the ability to remedy possible property insurance gaps posed by large-scale natural disasters, more timely payouts (often less than three weeks) through the use of simplified proof-of-loss protocols, and greater policy flexibility and transparency. According to industry data, submission volume in the parametric segment has jumped by 500% over the last year, with the market projected to nearly triple in value by 2031.

    Tips for Insurance Buyers

    1. Keep your commercial property in good condition at all times and immediately address building issues that could lead to losses and subsequent claims. Provide all relevant loss control documentation to your insurer.
    2. Analyze your organization’s natural disaster exposures. If your commercial property is located in an area more prone to certain types of weather and climate events, implement adequate mitigation and response measures.
    3. Discuss with insurance experts how parametric coverage can complement traditional insurance offerings.

    At Lawley, we understand what it means to protect businesses in the real estate industry. We have a dedicated real estate team who understands specific risks and will work will you to help you protect what you’ve worked so hard to build.  To learn more, visit our real estate page or call us at 716.849.8618.