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Hurricane Florence: What to watch out for during recovery

2018-09-25T13:01:00

(BPT) – Hurricanes threaten lives and cause widespread property loss, flooding and damage to infrastructure. While there’s little we can control about the actual storm, we can be prepared and vigilant during the recovery phase to ensure greater stability in the rebuilding process.

Hurricane Florence has come and gone, but its aftermath has left many to face their worst fears — losing their most precious and memorable belongings. These steps — while they won’t help bring back what has been lost — will give homeowners a better idea of what they can do next to recover.

1. If you need to relocate, keep the receipts of your expenses.

Keep records of all additional expenses. Homeowners insurance generally provides coverage for additional living expenses if your home is damaged by an event that’s covered by your policy. Review your policy coverage and review and update your contact information, especially if you’re at a temporary address or using a different phone number.

2. Report your claim.

If your home or automobile has suffered damage, you can file a claim in a variety of ways. For example, USAA customers can use the USAA Mobile App, usaa.com/help or mobile.usaa.com, or call 800-531-USAA. Customers can check coverage, report or view the status of a claim, submit photos, schedule an appraisal of a damaged vehicle or reserve a rental vehicle.

3. Secure your home and make temporary repairs.

* First, make sure you and your loved ones are safe. Then:

* Take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage, but don’t make permanent repairs until a claims adjuster has assessed the damage.

* If it’s safe, photograph debris or damaged items before you have them removed or repaired.

* Save receipts for what you spend and submit them to your adjuster for possible reimbursement.

4. Prepare for the adjuster’s visit.

Because of the large number of claims after a catastrophe, insurance companies prioritize inspections by the severity of the damage to the insured properties. To help in scheduling inspections, provide complete information about the damage to your property. Include a description of damaged or destroyed items, dates of purchase and what it would cost to replace or repair them.

5. Hire a contractor — with care.

You may need help with getting your home back to normal, but be on the lookout for people who may take advantage of you.

* Require contractors to produce a license or other identification that can be confirmed by a third party such as the Better Business Bureau.

* Do not pay upfront for any repair or cleanup work, even for a portion of the total fee. Legitimate contractors will bill you when the job is complete.

* Take photos of your contractors and the license plates on their vehicles.

* Call your insurance provider if you suspect that you’ve been approached by a fraudulent contractor.

For more information on insurance coverage and to request a quote, visit USAA.com/help.


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Me, myself and eye: 5 common behaviors that could be hurting your eyes

2018-09-25T14:31:00

(BPT) – If you’re like many Americans, you’re diligent about maintaining your health by eating right, exercising and regularly seeing your doctor. But even the most health-conscious people are often unaware of daily behaviors in their lives that could be straining or even damaging their eyes. That’s surprising, given that 21 percent of Americans believe severe vision loss would negatively impact the quality of their lives.

The good news? Taking steps to protect your eyes isn’t difficult. Guarding yourself against these potentially damaging behaviors should be part of your regular health routine.

* Not wearing sunglasses. Sun wear does more than just block glare. The same harmful rays that can burn your skin can also damage your eyes over time, sometimes leading to vision-reducing issues such as cataracts and macular degeneration. As a precaution, ophthalmologists recommend wearing sunglasses anytime you’re outside, seeking lenses that block out at least 99 percent of UVA and UVC rays.

* Failing to visit your eye doctor annually. Seeing an eye doctor once a year to check on any prescription changes is important, but a visit can also help detect other serious eye issues. Alarmingly, one survey found 64 percent of Americans notice signs of trouble such as red, watery eyes, light flashes, blurry or double vision, difficulty seeing at night or difficulty reading up close, yet only 13 percent follow up with eye exams. Fortunately, taking that step is easier when you’re covered by solid eye care insurance with a provider such as VSP Individual Vision Plans, which could save you literally hundreds of dollars a year in eye exams, glasses and contacts.

* Staring at your smartphone. If your eyes are often sore or tired at the end of the day, you may be spending too much uninterrupted time zeroing in on your phone. To avoid that strain and even worse symptoms such as blurred vision, dry eyes, dizziness or nausea, enlarge your font, always keep your phone at least 16 inches away from your face and take screen breaks every 20 minutes.

* Overusing eye drops. Some people form a dependency on the over-the-counter whitening drops that reduce redness by temporarily restricting blood flow to the eye’s blood vessels. Repeat users often notice that their eyes “rebound” and get red again as oxygen returns to those deprived capillaries, creating a vicious cycle. As a rule, non-prescription eye drops should not be a long-term solution to any eye issue.

* Using old or borrowed eye makeup. You should replace your makeup every three months to keep from introducing new and potentially harmful bacteria into your eye area. Avoid other people’s makeup for the same reason. Eye care experts also warn against applying eyeliner to your inner eyelids, which can be especially vulnerable to infection.

Getting in the habit of caring for your eyes need not be time consuming, and it doesn’t have to be expensive if you think ahead by enrolling in a vision plan with VSPDirect.com, the provider with the largest network of independent doctors nationwide. Call for more information at 800-785-0699.


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Rats! How these rodents can ruin your day

2018-09-25T07:07:00

(BPT) – Say you’ve just gotten home after a long day. All you want to do is put your feet up, but you notice what looks like rodent droppings on the floor, find evidence of something having nibbled at the food in your kitchen and … what is that scrabbling sound coming from inside your walls? You may feel like panicking at the thought of rats in your home, but a little knowledge about these rodents can go a long way toward preparing you for what to do in the event of an infestation. The experts at Terminix have the answers to some important questions homeowners might have about these particular pests.

Are all rats the same?

While they can all cause damage to your home, not all rats are created equal. The main difference lies in their behavior and general geographic location. Roof rats, for example, are found mainly along the coastal regions and port cities in the U.S. These rats are excellent climbers, and are known to use overhanging tree branches or vines to get into a house. Norway rats are a separate species that are more likely to enter your home from the ground floor.

Where do rats hide?

Rats don’t need an open door to make their way into your home. In fact, they can fit through a hole as small as a quarter. Don’t start measuring holes with coins, though — a rat can use its strong teeth to widen a hole that’s too small to fit through. Once inside, the type of rat you’re dealing with impacts where the rodents will hide. Norway rats are more likely to nest on the ground floor of your home or inside crawl spaces, while roof rats are more likely to be found nesting in attics. But rats aren’t picky, and you could find them in stranger places such as chimneys or in old furniture.

What dangers does a rat infestation present?

Make no mistake — the rat that winds up in your house isn’t the cute-but-cunning character of cartoons and imagination. In reality, the rodents present multiple dangers to your health and to your home. Not only can rats damage electrical wiring, wooden beams, insulation and food stores, they can also carry pathogens that may transmit diseases to humans, such as hantavirus. These pathogens can be transmitted and even become airborne through urine and droppings, meaning that you could be exposed to disease without ever seeing the rat itself! Because of this, you should never disturb a rodent nest, and instead allow a rodent control professional to handle it.

How can you get rid of a rat infestation?

Ideally, you’ll prevent rats from entering your home in the first place through methods such as inspecting possible entry points and trimming back trees and shrubbery. But prevention isn’t always possible, even for the most diligent homeowner. If rats do make it into your home, contact a pest control provider such as Terminix. Trained technicians can help diagnose what kind of rat you’re dealing with and come up with a treatment plan.


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National Seafood Month: 5 reasons to choose sustainable seafood

2018-09-24T12:39:00

(BPT) – October is National Seafood Month, and one of the best ways to keep the world’s waters full of life is to choose certified wild, sustainable seafood. Not only is it better for the environment, but it helps ensure a steady supply of an important natural resource that people around the globe depend on for sustenance as well as for their livelihoods.

We’ve all seen the headlines about the concerning state of our oceans — from pollution to overfishing — so it is no surprise that, according to a recent GlobeScan survey, nearly two-thirds of American seafood consumers think we need to consume seafood only from sustainable sources.

But knowing that sustainable seafood is the right choice is just half the battle. The other half is understanding which seafood products really fit the bill. GlobeScan reports that about seven in 10 American seafood consumers think sustainable claims by supermarkets and brands need to be verified independently.

Fortunately, some key labels can empower consumers to make smart and sustainable choices. For instance, the Marine Stewardship Council’s blue fish label indicates that not only does the product meet its stringent standards for wild caught, sustainable seafood, but certification has been determined by an independent third party, addressing one of the top concerns of consumers head on.

If you have two choices in front of you at the seafood counter, in the freezer or in the canned goods aisle, why pick the one with the blue fish label?

1. It’s better for the oceans.

Certified sustainable seafood ensures that whole ecosystems remain healthy and thriving with marine life. In working to ensure sustainability of fish populations, some certification programs look for minimal ecosystem impacts and effective management practices that adjust with changes in the environment. Good management can help ensure fish stocks and habitats thrive while ensuring the oceans continue to provide a variety of sea life. Today, our oceans support the livelihoods of a tenth of the world’s population.

2. It’s good for the whole family.

Seafood is a high-protein option that provides good nutrients, vitamins and essential omega-3 fatty acids. “To get the most nutritional benefits, leading health organizations recommend consuming at least eight ounces of seafood per week,” explained Linda Cornish, president and founder of the Seafood Nutrition Partnership, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of the nutritional benefits of seafood. “A good rule of thumb is to eat seafood twice a week and try to include fatty fish in those servings.” Fatty fish — such as salmon, trout, black cod and mackerel — has higher amounts of omega-3s, which are beneficial for the brain, heart and eyes as well as overall health and wellness.

3. It’s a way to drive change with your shopping habits.

By buying seafood verified as sustainable, you’re supporting fishermen committed to operating in an environmentally friendly manner and supporting their efforts as protectors of a natural public resource. What’s more, your dollars may motivate other fishermen to change their own practices and get certified. With some effort, sustainable seafood could become the norm — not the exception.

4. It’s available at every price point.

Although some consumers may believe they need to pay a significant premium to include sustainable seafood in their diets, that’s not accurate. According to Brian Perkins of the MSC, “The MSC blue fish label is on nearly 30,000 products (and counting) around the globe, and it is featured on everything from fresh, frozen, canned and preserved seafood to supplements and even pet food!” Whether you’re looking for healthy, affordable school lunch options or a way to celebrate a special occasion, sustainable seafood is a viable option.

5. It’s a way to ensure seafood for generations to come.

Along with fisheries, retailers and restaurants around the globe, we all have a part in protecting the productivity and health of the oceans and the livelihoods of people who depend on them. By seeking out sustainable seafood, consumers have the power to protect and nurture the fishing industry, ensuring that generations to come will continue to enjoy seafood as part of a healthy diet.

Start celebrating

In celebration of National Seafood Month, start paying closer attention to the labels on your seafood and start exploring the vast array of options available. You might find it easier than you ever imagined to make a choice that’s good for you and the oceans, too.


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13 moving hacks that could save time, money and sustainability

2018-09-24T09:01:00

(BPT) – Changing households can be a time for new beginnings, fresh perspectives and boundless opportunities.

But those good things tend to come after the moving process itself, which can take a lot of planning, organizing and old-fashioned elbow grease. And many people start the process unprepared.

Fortunately, the experts at Penske Truck Rental have some great advice for orchestrating a move that won’t waste your time or money. Consider the following suggestions.

1. When possible, create a timeline for your move weeks or months ahead, detailing the resources, time and labor you’ll need. Establishing a written plan will save you from hurry and indecision and help ensure you’ve thought through every stage.

2. Reserve your rental truck at least two weeks ahead, choosing the size that corresponds to the number of rooms in your home. For the greenest choice, pick an environmentally conscious company like Penske that ensures up-to-date emission-control technologies, optimal tire inflation, recycled packing materials and fuel-efficient diesel engines.

3. Think about renting or borrowing helpful moving equipment such as dollies or furniture sliders. Such tools can reduce your risk of injury as you load and unload your bulkiest belongings.

4. Recycle (and save on transport costs) by minimizing your unwanted belongings through garage sales, online sales, donations or giveaways to friends. These days, many services come directly to your house to whisk away your unwanted items. Find approved electronics recycling centers through the EPA.

5. Start packing as soon as you can, beginning with infrequently used items — perhaps those stored in your garage, basement or attic. Spending an hour or two a day can make the overall job seem less grueling.

6. Prepare for the eventual unpacking process by pre-labeling boxes by their contents and intended room. You’ll thank yourself later.

7. In addition to using cardboard boxes, utilize packing space inside your own dressers, chests, baskets, wastebaskets, suitcases, duffel bags and other household containers.

8. To cushion breakable belongings, optimize your own blankets, pillows, linens, clothing and tarps in addition to bubble wrap and packing blankets.

9. Non-breakable items such as clothing can be packed in large garbage bags that can fill odd spaces in your moving vehicle then be repurposed after your move.

10. Map out a strategy for packing and loading your large and/or unwieldy possessions to optimize space. For example, your heaviest items should go in the back of your truck, and you might wish to strap in vertical “walls” of boxes and upend your couches vertically. Remember to load your most frequently needed items last and keep crucial items such as financial documents in your front seat.

11. To safely and efficiently move appliances, carefully read your owners manuals and do prep work (such as defrosting refrigerators or disconnecting gas for stoves) well ahead of time.

12. Pack food for your journey to your new home to avoid unnecessary breaks in unfamiliar areas.

13. After unpacking at your new home, recycle, sell or repurpose any packing materials you’ll no longer need.

As long as you plan ahead, your moving process need not be a huge waste of time, money and resources. For more tips on conducting an efficient and cost-effective transition to your new home, contact Penske Truck Rental.


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Protect yourself: Learn the truth behind 4 common myths about life insurance

2018-09-24T07:01:00

(BPT) – Because September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, now would be a good time to consider investing in a policy that could protect you and your family in your time of need, plus protect your loved ones in your absence.

Given the importance of life insurance, it’s astounding that 37.5 million American households lack such a policy, according to the 2016 Facts About Life study by the industry group LIMRA. That may be because many people misunderstand how such policies work and how much it costs. For example, recent Insurance Barometer studies by LIMRA and Life Happens found 63 percent of Americans cite expense as the reason they don’t carry term insurance, yet 80 percent overestimate the cost — millennials by 213 percent and Gen Xers by 119 percent.

While some Americans hope to rely on other sources to protect their families, they may not realize all the benefits life insurance offers. Every family has different needs, and some life insurance products are flexible enough to offer customizable options to provide a measure of financial security to your spouse and children — the people that matter most.

Some other common myths about life insurance of which you should be aware:

Myth: Life insurance is only available through financial advisors. In fact, quality, strong-valued policies for your entire family are often available through your employer or your spouse’s employer. For example, Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company offers a wide range of workplace solutions paid for by employers, employees or both, including permanent life, term life, critical illness, accident and disability insurance. Talk to your company’s HR department about the process involved in securing comprehensive coverage for your family.

Myth: Workplace policies can’t offer enough options for your needs. You’ll find that well-established life insurance companies understand the market well enough to offer a range of flexible products, including policies that are payroll deductible, stable in cost regardless of your age, portable when you’re changing jobs and available with add-on riders or other insurance types through the same carrier.

Myth: Young, healthy people don’t need life insurance. The truth is, your health can change at any time and it’s best to expect the unexpected. Further, uninsured people can easily leave behind personal, medical or mortgage debts and/or funeral expenses that end up burdening family members or executors when they die.

Myth: Your life insurance policy only covers you, not your family. Not true. Some products protect you, your spouse, your dependent children and even your grandchildren, often at one affordable cost. That’s why marriage and becoming a parent can be excellent reasons for buying new policies.

Investing in life insurance is a crucial step to take when it comes to protecting yourself and your family from unexpected losses. But it doesn’t have to be confusing or complicated. Find more detailed information about life insurance options for you and your family at www.BostonMutual.com.


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One woman’s struggle with sickle cell disease and 3 things she wishes you knew

2018-09-24T07:01:00

(BPT) – When Tosin Ola was a baby, she cried a lot. It wasn’t because she was hungry or cold. Tosin cried a lot because of something much worse, and her parents had no idea what it was. They thought she was simply a cranky toddler.

But Tosin was not a cranky toddler. Instead she was a child with sickle cell disease (SCD).

A grim diagnosis

Tosin was born in Nigeria, a country without infant screening for the disease at the time. SCD, a lifelong, inherited blood disorder, impacts the flow of blood and oxygen to the body due to a genetic mutation that leads to the damage and destruction of red blood cells. This causes chronic anemia, leading to fatigue, and inflammation, leading to severe pain. Over time, the cumulative effects of living with this chronic disease can cause organ and tissue damage, stroke and premature death. People with SCD typically live until their mid-forties.

Tosin learned this early on. She was not diagnosed with SCD until the age of 4 when her parents took her to a military hospital. The prognosis was grim, with the doctors telling her parents that she would likely die in childhood.

Tosin was in the room during this conversation and the rage she felt at hearing her own predetermined fate motivated her to fight to live. With her family, she moved to the United States a few years later, where she was hospitalized once or twice a year for bouts of severe pain during her childhood.

Finding a voice

It was a hospitalization in 2005 that changed Tosin’s life. She had been in the hospital for two weeks, and as the only person in her family with SCD, felt very isolated. As she looked for resources online about self-management of SCD, she found nothing. Tosin knew that had to change, and from her hospital bed she started Sickle Cell Warriors, the largest online patient-run community for SCD in the world.

With the support of her family, and in particular her mother, what started as a simple blog now has more than 22,000 members around the globe, and it all started with a woman who followed her voice.

Continuing to teach

These days Sickle Cell Warriors is larger than ever, but Tosin, a registered nurse and mother of twins, never passes up the opportunity to share information about SCD with anyone who will listen, including rideshare drivers. For those who know very little about the disease, Tosin says these are the three most important things to know.

1. You can help eradicate the disease just by finding out if you have the trait. An SCD test is not run on adults unless you ask for it, but you can request it as part of your annual blood work. While it’s most common among people of African descent, SCD can also affect people with Latin American, Mediterranean or Middle Eastern heritage, no matter how distant the genetic link. If you do have the trait, educate yourself on how you can avoid passing the trait or the disease on to the next generation.

2. SCD patients are not pain medication seekers. Tosin likens the pain to prolonged episodes of throbbing, deep pain, similar to when you break a bone or have a severe migraine. Tosin was in labor to give birth for 12 hours before she realized it, as it paled in comparison to an SCD pain episode. There is no approved treatment for the underlying cause of SCD so many patients end up in the emergency room during pain episodes. As an “invisible” disease, the lack of objective methods to measure pain means that emergency room staff are often skeptical and assume SCD patients are addicts. Tosin has faced disbelief and judgment while trying to get help, to the point where she sometimes avoids the emergency room. At these times, she prefers to suffer at home than deal with the staff which can worsen the long-term damage of the disease.

3. SCD is more than just pain. While pain is commonly associated with SCD, pain is just one of many symptoms of the disease. In addition to the pain, the ongoing shortage of red blood cells leads to chronic hemolytic anemia which causes a cascade of symptoms including hypoxia, vascular injury, progressive end-organ damage and premature mortality. Tosin suffered strokes as a child, is prone to jaundice and infection, and has necrosis in her hip due to ischemia, which will require the replacement of both hips in her late thirties.

Moving forward

Tosin’s SCD is a part of who she is, but she is quick to point out it isn’t all of who she is, nor should anyone with SCD be judged based on their condition. “We are regular people just living our lives,” she said. “We aren’t always the patient in the bed.”

Instead, they are warriors with a mission.

To learn more about the Sickle Cell Warriors, visit www.sicklecellwarriors.com.

Sponsored by Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.


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From deductibles to donuts, key terms to know about Medicare Part D

2018-09-21T12:11:00

(BPT) – Navigating the ins and outs of Medicare can be an intimidating experience if you’re not familiar with certain terms.

Medicare Part D, which helps cover prescription drugs, has its own terminology. Medicare Annual Enrollment runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, so now is the time for a refresher on key words to inform your coverage decisions for 2019.

Deductible, copay and coinsurance

A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket in a given year for eligible prescription drugs before your plan’s coverage kicks in. The deductible can vary from plan to plan.

Some plans charge a copay, a flat fee, each time you fill a prescription. For example, a plan may require you to pay $2 when you fill a prescription for generic drugs and a higher amount for brand-name drugs.

With coinsurance, you pay a set percentage of the cost of the drug instead of the flat fee associated with a copay.

Formulary

Part D plans are offered by private insurance companies, and each plan has what’s known as a formulary, a list of the prescription drugs covered under the plan.

“When considering a Part D plan, review the formulary to make sure your medications are covered,” said Kent Monical, senior vice president for Part D at UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement.

And keep in mind that plan formularies can change from year to year, so don’t assume that the prescription drugs covered under your current plan will carry over in 2019.

Drug tiers

A Medicare Part D plan’s formulary is made up of tiers, depending on the cost of the medications. The lower tiers generally include preferred generic drugs, and many plans cover these medicines with low or no copay or coinsurance.

Higher tiers generally include brand-name drugs and specialty medications and tend to have higher copays or coinsurance. So, talk to your doctor to see if the brand-name prescription you take can be replaced with a generic version.

Preferred pharmacy network

A Part D plan may designate a preferred network of pharmacies, and if you use these pharmacies, you can save money on prescriptions.

“Make sure the plan offers access to pharmacies that are convenient for you,” Monical said. “Some plans also have mail-order pharmacy benefits, and you may be able to get prescriptions delivered to your home for a lower cost than purchasing from a retail location.”

The donut hole

The majority of Part D plans have a coverage gap known as a “donut hole.” For example, in 2019, you enter this donut hole once your out-of-pocket costs (including deductibles, copays and coinsurance) for prescription drugs reach $3,820. While you’re in the donut hole, you will pay a percentage of the cost of the drugs.

In 2019, once your out-of-pocket costs reach $5,100, you exit the donut hole and pay a smaller coinsurance. But, the days of the donut hole are numbered. Under a provision of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, the coverage gap has been steadily shrinking. Beginning in 2019, the maximum you will pay in the coverage gap for a branded drug is 25 percent of a drug’s cost. For generic drugs, it is 37 percent, but in 2020, that will be reduced to 25 percent as well.

To learn more about Medicare or Medicare Annual Enrollment, visit UHCOpenEnrollment.com.


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Take a second look at your homebuying options

2018-09-21T14:31:00

(BPT) – Buying a home is an exciting process, but for many people it can also seem out of reach. While many renters would like to buy, there are several factors that may lead potential homebuyers to believe they may not be ready. These include credit score requirements, income and debt levels, and the common myth that a 20 percent down payment is needed. Here is some good news: Qualifying for a mortgage may not be so far out of reach.

While it is true that borrowers with stronger credit profiles — FICO scores of 720 and higher, low debt-to-income (DTI) ratios, and cash reserves — generally receive better mortgage terms, there are products in the market that can enable access to affordable, prudently underwritten mortgage financing.

Down payment is routinely cited by prospective homebuyers as the largest hurdle to homeownership, but low down payment mortgages are widely available in today’s market. These include conventional loans with private mortgage insurance (MI) and government-backed loans like those insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

Many borrowers incorrectly believe that they need a 20 percent down payment to buy a home, but with private MI a borrower can qualify for a conventional home loan with as little as 3 percent down. In addition to the competitive pricing of mortgages backed by private MI, private MI can be canceled when a borrower reaches 20 percent equity in his or her home. This added perk often makes private MI a more affordable option over other home loan programs — such as FHA-backed home loans — which require mortgage insurance premiums for the vast majority of borrowers for the entire term of the mortgage, which is often 15 or 30 years.

For more than 60 years, more than 30 million homeowners have used private MI to successfully buy homes and build the long-term wealth associated with home equity. In 2017 alone, private MI helped more than one million borrowers nationwide purchase or refinance a mortgage. According to a study by U.S. Mortgage Insurers, 56 percent of those borrowers who received purchase loans were first-time homebuyers and more than 40 percent had incomes below $75,000.

For decades, millions of homeowners and prospective homebuyers have relied on private MI to help them affordably and responsibly buy a home. Based on median home prices, it can take an average of 20 years to save for a 20 percent down payment. And with home prices dramatically on the rise, this wait time will only increase. Luckily, private MI can help you get into the home of your dreams sooner.

When making homebuying decisions, it is important to take a second look to make sure you are aware of all your options. Check out lowdownpaymentfacts.org to learn more.