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Medicare is confusing. Add annual enrollment into the mix and it easily starts to feel like you are walking through a maze blindfolded.  I know that if you are Medicare eligible, you are currently receiving countless calls at mealtimes, mail from everywhere and multiple promises that any and all your Medicare problems can be solved during this Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).

The truth is there is no “one size fits all” solution when it comes to Medicare. It is important to talk one-on-one with a credentialed individual that will get to know you and your specific situation. Only then, can a plan be customized that is right for you and your family.

Throughout the year, I am asked all kinds of questions about Medicare Part A & Part B, Medicare Supplements, Part D Prescription Drug Plans, Advantage Plans and Enrollment Periods.  The opportunity to help others navigate all the questions surrounding Medicare is the favorite part of my job. So, I thought I would share answers to the three most common questions I am asked during AEP.

Question 1:  Why would I need anything other than Medicare Part A, Part B & Part D (prescription drugs)? 

The simple answer is this:  If you have Medicare Part A & B only, then you will be responsible for the 20% of your healthcare costs that Medicare Part A & B does not pay.  Medicare will be faithful to pay their 80%, but that 20% will follow you the entire year with no out-of-pocket maximum.  The 2020 Medicare & You Handbook tells us on Page 7 in bold letters “there’s no yearly limit on what you pay out-of-pocket, unless you have supplemental coverage.”   This means that your potential financial exposure could be significant if you were to have a major medical event.  Having supplemental coverage protects you and your family financially.

Question 2:  What if I cannot afford a Medicare Supplement? What can I do? 

There are a wide variety of plans and Medicare options available to fit all budget sizes, whether you are still working or living on a fixed income. Which brings me back to the importance of what I said earlier. Speaking with an individual that specializes in Medicare is so important. Good agents will take the time to meet with you in person (if desired), walk you through all your available options, answer your questions and ensure that the choices or changes you make go as smoothly as possible.

Question 3:  What can I do during this year’s AEP (Annual Enrollment Period) of October 15 – December 7, 2021? 

 First and foremost:  Remember, any changes you make during AEP become effective January 1st of the following year. They do not go into effect immediately or the following month.

Second:  If you make a change during this time, and then decide you want to make a different choice, you can do that. But, remember the last choice you make by December 7th is the choice that will go into effect on January 1, 2021. So make sure that the decision you make during AEP is one you are willing to live with for the coming year.

Third. There are many things you can do during AEP:

1. If you are on original Medicare Part A & Part B only, you can change to an Advantage Plan.
2. If you are on an Advantage Plan, you can change and go back to original Medicare.
3. If you are on an Advantage Plan, you can change to a different Advantage Plan.
4. If you are on a Supplement, you can change to an Advantage Plan.
5. If you are on an Advantage plan, you can change to a Supplement.
6. If you are on original Medicare and do not have a Part D prescription drug plan, you can select one.
7. If you are on a Part D prescription drug plan and want to change to a different Part D plan, you can do that.
8. If you are on a Part D prescription drug plan and do not want it any longer, you can cancel it.  Be careful here. If you go without a Part D prescription drug plan, you may incur a penalty based on the months you do not have one.

If you have any questions or would like to get together for a review, my door is open and phone readily available to help. It is so important to make good decisions over the next couple of months. The goal of all our White & Associates agents to is ensure you can sleep soundly knowing you had your questions answered by a credentialed professional.

Rick Brubaker, Senior Specialist
731-288-1604

This is an advertisement. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

With October being National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the following statistics are ones you need to know. Cyber attackers do not discriminate. Businesses of all sizes, in all industries and all across the US are finding themselves victim to attackers.

1. The average ransom payment in Q3 2021 was $139,739.
2. 83% of ransomware attacks involved the threat to leak exfiltrated data.
3. Average days of downtime stemming from ransomware: 22 days
4. Company size of ransomware targets:
   • 11 to 100 Employees: 35%
   • 101 to 1,000 Employees: 44%
5. Top industries targeted by ransomware:
   • Professional Services: 24%
   • Public Sector: 15%
   • Health Care: 13%

        *Coveware: https://www.coveware.com/blog/2021/10/20/ransomware-attacks-continue-as-pressure-mounts

It is a good practice to keep an ongoing dialogue within your business team of the threats out there and best practices for mitigation. At a minimum, every employee should know:

• What business and personal use is permitted for emails
• How to treat business information at the office or at home
• What to do if a cybersecurity incident occurs

Because email threats are so prevalent, many organizations will send “testing” email viruses within their organization to gauge how well their staff is able to identify threats. This can be a great way to identify training needs and prevent future attacks.

Check out the resources below for more info:

• Global Cyber Alliance’s (GCA) cybersecurity toolkit for small businesses with free cybersecurity resources
• What Small Business Owners Need to Know About Cybersecurity, Entrepreneur Magazine
• 3 Biggest Cybersecurity Threats Facing Small Businesses Right Now, Entrepreneur Magazine
• Free training materials, security configuration guides from Internet Security Alliance
• Symantec Security Solutions for Small Business
• McAfee Security Solutions for Small Business
• Microsoft Cybersecurity Tips and Technology for Small Businesses
• Small Business Solutions from StopBadware
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Internet Security Essentials for Businesses 2.0
• FICO and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Assessment of Cyber Security Risk Report
• FICO Cyber Risk Assessment Score
• “Small Business Big Threat” from the Michigan Small Business Development Corporation

-Tommy Allmon, President
White & Associates Insurance 

Ingredients

2 tbsp. unsalted butter

8 eggs

3/4 cup pumpkin

1 medium yellow onion (caramelized)

6 strips turkey bacon (cook in microwave until really crisp and then crumble all 6 strips)

6 fresh sage leaves (chiffonade)

½ cp. heavy cream

½ cp. Parmesan cheese

Topping or on the side:

Arugula, lemon juice, white wine vinegar and olive oil to taste (topping).

Instructions

I like to buy the walnut and pecan pie crusts at Walmart for making quiches. They are  tasty and easy!

Mix all the ingredients together (apart from the toppings) and pour into your pie crust. Cook for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Be careful not to cook it too much because quiches can easily dry out. I let mine sit for a little bit before serving as the quiche continues to cook after you take it out of the oven.

Toss your arugula with a little lemon juice, white wine vinegar and olive oil to serve on top or on the side. Perfect for Thanksgiving morning – enjoy!

Rector, Arkansas

The White & Associates Insurance Crancer Agency is accepting applications for a full-time Client Services Specialist in Rector, Arkansas.  The candidate must be comfortable with heavy computer use.  Onsite training will be provided. The position will offer opportunities for career development and advancement.

Established in 1976, White & Associates Insurance is a locally owned and operated insurance agency with 11 locations in West Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas. White & Associates strives to provide a “doing more” approach to all aspects of operation including enhancing employee job satisfaction, providing clients with innovative insurance packages and improving the communities in which they serve. White & Associates has been named to the national Best Places to Work in Insurance list by Business Insurance magazine five years running.

Candidate Requirements:

Candidates who meet the following requirements will be considered. No prior experience or skill-set is required.

• Possess strong communication skills
• Possess strong computer skills including Excel, Word
• Be customer service minded
• Be detail oriented
• Be able to work in a team environment and maintain a positive attitude

Full-Time Employee Benefits Include:

We recognize that our employees are essential to the success of the company. We value each employee and believe that it is our obligation to offer more than just a paycheck. Our company full-time employee benefits include:

• Major medical insurance, dental insurance, long-term disability, short-term disability and life insurance
• Company match 401k
• Rewards health & wellness program
• Fitness center membership reimbursement
• Reimbursement for work related certifications and training
• Highly visible leadership & open-door company culture
• Incentives for community volunteer work
• 12 Paid holidays
• Annual company-wide recognition event
• 5-Day employee appreciation
• Employee birthday gifts

To Apply:

What is a fire protection class rating?

If you are the market for a new home, especially if you are trying to choose between two different homes, the home’s fire protection rating may help you make your decision. Every home has a fire protection rating from 1 (best) to 10 (worst). This ranking is provided by ISO (insurance Services Office) and evaluates a county’s fire suppression capabilities – essentially how quickly they can put out a fire. Your home’s protection class rating is used by insurance companies to determine how likely it is for a fire to do severe damage to your home before help arrives.

What determines my Protection Class rating?

• 50% comes from the quality of your local fire department, including staffing levels, training and proximity of the firehouse.
• 40% comes from availability of water supply, including the prevalence of fire hydrants and how much water is available to put out fires.
• 10% comes from the quality of the area’s emergency communications systems (911).
• An extra 5.5% can come from community outreach, including fire prevention and safety courses.

Below you can see that most homes in the U.S. fall between classes 4-6, followed by class 9.

         Source: 2018 ISO Public Protection Classification Report

How does my protection class rating effect my insurance rate?

Fire and lightning claims are historically the most expense insurance losses for companies. The longer a home burns before the fire department or volunteer fire department is able to arrive, the more the insurance carrier will likely end up paying to repair or rebuild the property. For this reason, insurance companies charge more for homes with higher protection class ratings. An important step in buying a home is to pre-determine your annual cost of homeowners insurance. If you are debating between a home near a fire department or one that is miles from the nearest water supply source, the fire protection rating, and subsequent insurance cost, may help to make that decision for you!

Additionally, some carriers choose to only insure homes with a fire protection class rating of 1-8.  Fire ratings do change, so it is our job as your agent to monitor our community ratings and ensure that you are classified by your insurance company correctly.

If you have questions about your current rating, or if you would like us to check a protection class rating for a home you are considering purchasing, we are absolutely here to help!

Information in this article is sourced from the Insurance Risk Management Institute, Inc (IRMI) and ISO Public Protection Classification Report .

Ingredients

4 cups cauliflower florets
2 Poblano peppers seeded and diced
2 tbs. canola oil
1 cup rice flour
2 cups of brown rice bread crumbs
1 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup water (only if needed to loosen the batter)
1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt (optional)
Garnish: chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds and chopped cilantro

For The Sauce

3 tbs. low sodium soy sauce
2 tbs. rice vinegar
2 tsp. sesame oil
2 tbs. hoisin sauce
2 tbs. Truvia brown sugar
2 tbs. water
1 tbs. dark soy sauce
1 tbs. grated fresh ginger
4 cloves garlic, grated
1 tsp. corn starch

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place the cauliflower in a large mixing bowl. Whisk the canola oil, rice flour, milk, pepper, salt (optional) and water (as needed) together in a small bowl. Pour over the top of the cauliflower and toss well to coat. Toss coated cauliflower in the brown rice bread crumbs. Transfer the cauliflower to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast in the pre-heated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once halfway through until tender and golden.

Prepare the sauce by whisking together all of the sauce ingredients.

Heat a large skillet or wok over low heat. Add the Poblano peppers and toast for 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Pour in the sauce and bring to a boil over medium heat until the sauce thickens. Add the baked cauliflower and toss well until coated. Transfer the cauliflower back onto the parchment lined
baking sheet. Bake another 10 to 15 minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds and chopped cilantro, as desired.  Drizzle a little extra sauce over the baked cauliflower for an extra kick.

Homeowners insurance claims are on the rise, up 3.2 percent in 2018 according to a January 2021 study by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. According to the Insurance information Institute, about one in 20 insured homes has a claim each year, with an average cost per claim reaching as high at $78,838. See the statistics below.

CLAIM STATISTICS

 Homeowners Insurance Claims Frequency*

• About one in 20 insured homes has a claim each year.
• About one in 40 insured homes has a property damage claim related to wind or hail each year.
• About one in 50 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year.
• About one in 365 insured homes has a property damage claim related to fire and lightning.
• About one in 425 insured homes has a property damage claim due to theft each year.
• About one in 1,440 homeowners policies has a liability claim related to the cost of lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that the policyholder or family members cause to others.

Average Cost Per Claim, 2015-2019

With the likelihood of a claim occurrence on the rise, there are some important steps you can take to minimize your losses: 

1. Record a Home Inventory Video
   Use your cell phone to take a tour of the interior and exterior of your home. Open your closets and drawers to view what is inside. A complete list of all your things will be so important if you have lots of damage after a fire or tornado. If you have to rely on just your memory, it is likely you will forget some items and fail to include them in the claims process.
2. Review Your Policy OFTEN
   If you are not covered correctly, you could be in a significant financial deficit after a claim. Check your policy to see if your possessions are covered for their replacement value or actual cash value (value minus depreciation). Ask your agent if your roof will be covered at replacement cost. Be certain that any high value items like jewelry, firearms and art are listed on your policy.
3. Maintain Your Property
   Your property insurance policy is intended for unexpected damage, not neglect. For example, damage from a pipe that suddenly malfunctions is an unexpected and covered event. But damage from a leaky roof that you have been aware of could be denied because you didn’t take any action to stop the damage it was causing.
4. Wait to Post on Social Media
   Social media is the golden ticket for home invaders. Not only can a burglar see that you are headed on a weeklong vacation via your social media post, they also can scope your pictures to see where all the high value items are located in your home. Best to wait until your return to share your vacation memories.
5. Document the Damage
   As soon as a claim occurs or is discovered, pull out your phone and start taking pictures of the damage. This can pay dividends when the insurance carrier is accessing your payout.

If you have questions about your coverage, how a claim is handled, or ideas for a secure place to store your home inventory video, do not hesitate to give us a call.

Duncan McKinnie
W&A Bodiford Agency – Bolivar, TN 

*Insurance Information Institute calculations, based on ISO®, a Verisk Analytics® business, data for homeowners’ insurance claims from 2015-2019

DYERSBURG, TENNESSEE, August 13, 2021 – White & Associates Insurance today announced it has awarded $100,000 in employee wellness rewards. Established in 2015, the White & Associates [W&A] wellness program has grown into a large part of company culture and boasts a 94% staff participation rate.

The program started small, with points logged for exercise, water intake and obtaining an annual wellness exam. Within the first year, W&A saw the need to automate the way employees were logging points and built a website internally to keep track. Each year, new options are added including challenges like no sweets for a month, screen-free nights and carbonation elimination for 30 days. Employee points equate to cash and paid time off each month. In 2020, the average cash earned per employee equaled $356 and 52 days off were rewarded.

“Making the decision to dedicate reward dollars to our employee health program was an easy one,” said White & Associates chief executive officer Larry White. “I believe that taking strides towards healthier living is an essential part of operating a successful business today. Our people are our greatest asset, and we owe it to them and their families to do everything possible to encourage health and wellness.”

“Surpassing the $100,000 milestone is something I could not picture seven years ago,” said Amy Ladd, White & Associates group benefits sales manager. When our committee first began planning our wellness program, we were hopeful to make a positive impact and create a long-term health insurance cost savings program. It is wonderful to see the program come to fruition, and our group health insurance costs benefiting as well,” said Ladd.

Successes include an employee losing over 100 pounds, an employee quitting all tobacco products after 35 years of use and several team members weening themselves off pre-diabetic, cholesterol and blood pressure medications. The program celebrated its five-year anniversary in 2020 with a week of mental health encouragement and will continue to incorporate education, challenges and incentives for employees.

WELLNESS PROGRAM STATISTICS

Statistics show that healthy behaviors lead to lower health risks and lower health risks lead to less chronic diseases. Less chronic diseases allow employees and employers to experience lower health care costs. Among 22 different studies that reviewed wellness programs, Harvard Health Affairs reports the average return on investment for an effective program to be 3.27%.

POINT OPPORTUNITIES

Our program includes incentives for:

1. Annual wellness exams
2. Participating in wellness activities including two-mile walks, 5ks and ½ marathons
3. Recording body mass index metrics
4. Consistent exercise
5. Monthly challenges

FAVORITE CHALLENGES

1. No Fried Food Month
   Earn 1,000 points if you eliminate fried food from your diet Monday – Friday.
2. Screen-Free Nights
   Earn 2,000 points for refraining from “screen time” from the time you leave work until you return the next morning 2 days a week. Screen time includes television, computer, tablet and cell phone use with the exception of speaking on the phone and responding to a text.
3. Water Month
   Earn 500 points for drinking 64 ounces of water every day of the month.
4. Sweet Free Month
   Earn 1,000 points for eliminating sweets from your diet Monday – Friday.
5. Thankful Month
   Send 5 thank you cards to people you know.

SUCCESS STORIES

1. An employee losing over 100 pounds at age 59.
2. An employee quitting ALL tobacco products after 35+ years.
3. Several employees off medications including pre-diabetic, high cholesterol and high blood pressure medications.
4. An employee suffering from daily headaches, neck stiffness and backaches now pain-free after the removal of soda from their diet.
5. Staff participation in more than 40 community 5k events.

For more information about the White & Associates Wellness program, contact Amy Ladd at amy.ladd@whiteins.net or 731-288-3532.

Ingredients

1 ½  lbs. boneless chicken breast or thighs cut into bite size pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion diced
2 poblano peppers stemmed, seeded & chopped
3 cloves of garlic minced
1 tsp cumin
¾ cp chicken broth
2 cps cauliflower rice
½ cp fresh cilantro chopped

Instructions

Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.
Season chicken with pepper (salt is optional).
Place chicken in the skillet and brown on both sides for 5 to 6 mins and then transfer to a plate.
Add the other tbsp. of olive oil to the skillet.
Add the diced onion and poblano peppers and sauté for 4 to 5 mins or until soft.
Add the garlic and cook one more minute.
Add chicken broth, cauliflower rice, cumin and salt & pepper to taste and stir to combine.
Place the cooked chicken on top of the rice and reduce heat to medium-low.
Cover and cook 15 to 20 minutes stirring occasionally until the chicken is completely cooked through and the cauliflower rice is soft.
Remove from heat and stir in the cilantro.
Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 cup fork-mashed over ripe bananas (3 medium
bananas should get it)
3 whole eggs (free range is best)
½ cup almond butter (no peanut butter substitute
because peanuts are not Paleo)
¼ cup coconut oil (Melted)
1 tsp vanilla
½ cup coconut flour
½ cup almond flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp sea salt
½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line the bottom of your loaf pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl combine first 5 ingredients. Use a hand mixer not a blender. In a separate bowl combine all of the dry ingredients. Add the dry mixture into the banana mixture and mix until well blended. Fold in the walnuts. The batter will be thick, so make sure you spread it evenly when you pour it into the loaf pan. Take a knife and run it through the batter to release any air bubbles because you don’t want any air pockets in the bread. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted. Cool the bread on a rack until completely cool before slicing.

Note:  The bread will not be smooth looking on the top after baking, but don’t stress.  It is supposed to be irregular in appearance.