Category Archive for : ‘COVID-19’

President Joe Biden’s administration recently extended access to the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to Aug. 15, from the previously announced end date of May 15.  

This direction comes after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opened this SEP for the Health Insurance Marketplace on Feb. 15, resulting in over 200,000 enrollments in the first two weeks. 

American Rescue Plan ACA Subsidies

This extension comes shortly after increased ACA subsidies were included as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which temporarily increases

To stop this pandemic, we need to use all of our prevention tools.

Vaccines are one of the most effective tools to protect your health and prevent disease. Vaccines work with your body’s natural defenses so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed (also known as immunity). Other steps, like wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth and staying at least 6 feet away from other people you don’t live with, also help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are

The holidays are hard for many people and if you are among them it’s important to remember you aren’t alone in your feelings this time of year. Overwhelming stress, seasonal expectations, and personal loss all do a deceptively good job of creeping in amidst the snow and lights. Taking steps to identify and acknowledge your feelings, before responding with a coping strategy that works for you, can give you the control to feel empowered.

Coping Strategies

Consider the following strategies to help cope with the loneliness and disappointment that comes with celebrating

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidelines for safely celebrating Thanksgiving this year.

These updated guidelines focus on remaining safe during small gatherings, which the CDC points to as being a contributor to the current increase in COVID-19 cases.

As a reminder, the CDC’s guidelines are not meant to replace—but rather supplement—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules and regulations with which all gatherings must comply.

What’s the Safest Way to Celebrate?

The guidelines reiterate that the

The arrival of the fall and winter months signals many things, including flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity peaks between December and February. It’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter.

The flu vaccine is your best chance of preventing the illness, and it’s more important than ever this year. Currently, the CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for anyone over 6 months of age.

In addition to getting your vaccine, there are some

Understanding Pandemic Fatigue

An unintentional phenomenon is on the rise—pandemic fatigue. People are tired of staying at home. People want to be the social creatures they inherently are. People want their “normal” back. This collective fatigue is making some people — consciously or unconsciously — disregard pandemic guidance such as social distancing and mask wearing. Others may be reaching a mental health breaking point.

Alarming data from a U.S. Census Bureau survey revealed the psychological toll taken by the pandemic. American adults were asked typical mental health screening questions. Twenty-four percent showed

Insurance Is Essential

The lives and community we have built always need protection, which is why throughout the pandemic insurance has been considered an essential industry. Homes, cars and businesses still need coverage, and our communities still need our expertise. While our Agency has made the decision to keep our offices closed to the public our team has remained committed as ever  to exceptional service and meeting our client’s needs.

As we head into the autumn months, families are busy with the hustle & bustle of back to school, while as a

There’s no denying that virtual meetings have become a workplace norm. Several factors fueling that growth include access, price and need.

The demand for virtual meetings increased as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic closed offices, introduced social distancing and halted business travel. As the COVID-19 threat shifts and offices reopen, virtual meetings will continue to be a viable way to conduct business with employees, customers and other stakeholders.

Virtual meetings require more planning than in-person meetings to be effective. Here we explore the common challenges and best practices to help meeting leaders drive

No one enjoys going to the RMV on a good day and the “Stay at Home” mandate only adds to the difficulty of interacting with the Registry. Here’s what you need to know to plan your visit:

Appointments only

The RMV is by appointment only and are operating under a strict “no walk-in” policy. These appointments can be booked online and there is no same day availability. We have had reports of not seeing any time slots available. Time slots are limited and reportedly fill up quickly. Don’t panic, the misconception that