Your Local Broker for Medicare Insurance Needs
Specializing in Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement Plans
Jay Looft Owner/Agent
Serving North Atlanta Seniors for More Than 15 Years Representing Most Medicare Insurance Companies
• Experienced Medicare Insurance Broker
• Provides Personalized Plan Analysis
• Annual Plan Updates, Including Upcoming Trends
• No Cost to Use Our Services
• Individual Health Coverage for those under 65
Call today to schedule your Medicare Annual Enrollment appointment!
770.913.6464 www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com
“We
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period ending
December 7th. Are you all set for 2026?
Brought to you by – Senior Source Medicare Solutions
Just a few weeks left until Medicare beneficiaries are locked into their 2026 Medicare Plans.
Have you reviewed your coverage?
Have you verified your doctor will still be in-network?
Is the dental coverage still as strong as it has been?
Are you on the best plan for your expensive brand-name prescription?
These are just examples of questions you should ask every year of your Medicare Advantage and stand-alone Prescription Drug Coverage.
Medicare Supplement plans are not subject to the December 7th cut-off, but Medicare Advantage and stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are.
Sizeable Dental Benefits, Grocery Allowances and Over-The-Counter Allowances are being offered with certain Medicare Plans, does your plan have these extras?
Remember, if you do nothing, your Medicare Advantage plan and StandAlone Prescription Drug Plan will auto-renew (unless permanently ending,
which is very few and far between this year).
Please review your ANOC (Annual Notice of Change) booklet from the insurance company. If you do not have one or you have misplaced it, give us a call at (770) 913-6464.
Have a Medicare Supplement plan? You should “shop the market”.
If you are on a Medicare Supplement, and have been for a while, it’s worth getting a quote from us. Medicare Supplement plans go up in price every year, but if you are still in good health chances are you would pass the health underwriting section of a less costly Medicare Supplement plan. It’s worth checking out!
To verify if you are on the best Prescription Drug Plan for next year, visit Medicare.gov, enter your prescriptions into the “Finder Tool” and follow the prompts.
For any questions regarding Medicare Advantage, stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, and Medicare Supplement plans we can be reached at SeniorSourceMedicare.com/ contact-seniorsource or by calling us at (770) 913-6464.
The Brilliance of Poison Ivy
If you are one of the 85% of the population allergic to poison ivy, you might feel some resentment, indignation or even dare I say animosity toward this plant. However, the scientist in you might take a moment to marvel at just how effectively it has managed to discourage us from touching it – let alone eating it.
Urushiol is the reason you won’t find poison ivy for sale at the local grocery store or in your Caesar salad. Urushiol is an oil found within poison ivy, and it makes one’s immune system go haywire.
Many plants attack us with thorns, stinging appendages, a hail of coconuts or verbal insults. Not poison ivy. Poison ivy uses our own immune systems against us to pack a delayed but far more powerful punch. The oil of poison ivy is a relatively simple and small ringshaped molecule that can easily penetrate our skin. The oil is so small that it can slip in easily and undetected. Once in our skin, urushiol chemically reacts with and attaches to our own cell’s proteins. In so doing, the oil stealthily plants a flag on our cells that tells our immune system that our own cells are enemies.
Our bodies have a type of white blood cell called a T cell whose job is to circulate and look for viruses, bacteria and other foreign invaders. T cells have proteins on their surface that detect whether what they contact is “self” or “non-self.” In general, T cells assume that “non-self” needs to be attacked. The T-cell doesn’t recognize your own healthy cells as “self” when those cells have reacted with urushiol. Your own T cells start attacking your otherwise healthy skin. Itching, blisters and misery result.
The brilliance of poison ivy’s strategy is that the oil doesn’t depend on
a certain protein or certain molecule being present in our bodies. If that were the case, our bodies might have easily learned how to avoid a poison ivy reaction. Instead, poison ivy oil can theoretically react with just about any protein that your cells contain, and every one of these combinations is going to look different and dangerous to the T cell. It’s a strategy that has defied effective solutions. Once the oil has had time to be absorbed into your skin, your goose is cooked.
When a small molecule can attach to a larger molecule and result in a combination that elicits an immune response, the small molecule is called a “hapten.” So poison ivy oil is a “hapten.” Most examples of haptens are accidental haptens. For example, penicillin is made by certain mold species to help them fight off bacteria. When we use penicillin as an antibiotic, a small number of people will develop an allergy. Rarely, when penicillin breaks down, it reacts with some of our proteins and creates a hapten-self protein combination similar to that of urushiol and a self-protein. But this is not penicillin’s purpose.
In contrast, poison ivy oil is a hapten by design. The plant developed a chemical that flags our own cells for destruction and turns our immune system against us.
Scientists are working on a vaccine to poison ivy. A compound similar to urushiol is being studied by researchers at the University of Mississippi and by a company called “Hapten Sciences.” Perhaps one day people can frolic through poison ivy without the next day regret.
Until a vaccine comes to fruition, avoidance is your best bet. Learn to identify poison ivy and poison oak. Wash with soap and water immediately and change your clothes if you think you have accidentally had contact with these plants. And if you do develop a rash,
Insist on the BEST
Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.
He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.
Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 23 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.
Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
Brought to you by – Premier Dermatology
LIFT YOUR SPIRITS
At Alto Johns Creek, living beautifully lies in the details. We provide curated experiences, which lead to moments that enrich your life. From tailored wellness to gourmet dining, we design a lifestyle as unique as you are. It’s elevated living, inspired by you.
Call 706.252.3848 to request information or schedule your visit.
Healthcare through a Medical Home
ensures that you, the patient, are at
the
center of your health care journey
Brought to you by – Comprehensive Internal Medicine
Primary care spans all health care needs from the annual wellness exam, sports and preop clearance, vaccinations, through the management of chronic conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, Fatty Liver, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, COPD. In the realm of men’s and women’s health, a focus on each stage of life is tailored to the individual.
The team of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, medical assistants, and staff focus on each detail of your care experience: from the first phone call to schedule your appointment, to checking in with familiar staff you come to know well, through the doctor’s visit and after care. Results of labs or X-rays are communicated in a timely manner and there is coordination of administrative issues, including prescription management, and prompt referrals.
Same day appointments when you
are sick ensure you are cared for by your regular doctor, vs an urgent care and someone unfamiliar with you. In short, a medical home becomes a patient’s point of care committed to helping you live healthier, longer, and better.
Continuing to Grow to Meet Your Healthcare Needs.
Dr. Shruti Patel is a board-certified Internal Medicine Physician with a special interest in geriatric care, hypertension, and diabetes management. She is passionate about providing comprehensive, patient-centered care with a focus on chronic disease management and preventative health.
With over a decade of experience, Dr. Patel is eager to help patients achieve healthier and more fulfilling lives through evidence-based practices and compassionate guidance. Her clinical approach emphasizes building strong patient relationships, empowering individuals to take an active role in their health and addressing the unique needs of patients.
Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring wellness practices that integrate mind and body.
Welcome Shruti Patel, M.D.
PROVIDED
Mobility Plus Alpharetta celebrates a 3rd year in the Winner’s Circle!
Brought to you by – Mobility Plus Alpharetta
Mobility Plus Alpharetta is humbled by earning a top spot in the Best of North Atlanta rankings during its’ third year in operation!
This family-owned small business, owned by Scott and Mary Block of Alpharetta offers a customer-focused experience for those needing powered or manual wheelchairs, mobility scooters, stairlifts, lift recliners, walkers, portable and modular ramp systems or home health items.
Mary, a former Fulton County teacher, was led to working with seniors after caring for her father. She quickly realized how difficult it was to find informational resources, products and support services. When seeking a professional change, she wanted to address some of the deficits that she had previously encountered by offering as many products as possible under one roof, and by serving as a community educational resource.
The Blocks partner with local experts like move managers, senior living placement specialists, and occupational therapists to be as informed as possible about the variety of needs that their customers have. They host lunch and learns in their 3500 sq. ft. Space on a variety of topics once a quarter. “No one that comes in for a wheelchair, stairlift, or ramp, needs just that one item. Our customers are seniors, children supporting aging parents, or those living with chronic degenerative diseases. There are always other needs besides a product purchase” says Mary.
They look forward to serving the North Atlanta community for many years to come and are so grateful for your votes, and support!
Mobility Plus Alpharetta 4020 Nine McFarland Drive Alpharetta, GA 30004
470-545-1827
Mon-Fri. 10:00am-5:00pm Sat. 9:001:00pm www.mobilityplus.com/alpharettaGA
Refresh and protect your skin throughout November
Brought to you by – Dr. Kehinde Olumesi, Epiphany Dermatology
As we move deeper into fall here in Atlanta, many patients notice that their skin feels different—and not always in a good way. The cooler, drier air of November often intensifies dryness, making skin feel tight, flaky, and more sensitive. At the same time, fine lines, wrinkles, and areas of pigmentation tend to look more noticeable when the skin is dehydrated and lacking its natural glow.
This is the perfect time to check in with your skin and give it the care it deserves. A visit with your board-certified dermatologist can help identify
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period ending December
7th. Are you all set for 2026?
Brought to you by – Senior Source Medicare Solutions
Just a few weeks left until Medicare beneficiaries are locked into their 2026 Medicare Plans.
Have you reviewed your coverage?
Have you verified your doctor will still be in-network?
Is the dental coverage still as strong as it has been?
Are you on the best plan for your expensive brand-name prescription?
These are just examples of questions you should ask every year of your Medicare Advantage and stand-alone Prescription Drug Coverage.
Medicare Supplement plans are not subject to the December 7th cut-off, but Medicare Advantage and stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are.
Sizeable Dental Benefits, Grocery Allowances and Over-The-Counter Allowances are being offered with certain Medicare Plans, does your plan have these extras?
Remember, if you do nothing, your Medicare Advantage plan and StandAlone Prescription Drug Plan will auto-renew (unless permanently ending,
which is very few and far between this year).
Please review your ANOC (Annual Notice of Change) booklet from the insurance company. If you do not have one or you have misplaced it, give us a call at (770) 913-6464.
Have a Medicare Supplement plan? You should “shop the market”.
If you are on a Medicare Supplement, and have been for a while, it’s worth getting a quote from us. Medicare Supplement plans go up in price every year, but if you are still in good health chances are you would pass the health underwriting section of a less costly Medicare Supplement plan. It’s worth checking out!
To verify if you are on the best Prescription Drug Plan for next year, visit Medicare.gov, enter your prescriptions into the “Finder Tool” and follow the prompts.
For any questions regarding Medicare Advantage, stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, and Medicare Supplement plans we can be reached at SeniorSourceMedicare.com/contactseniorsource or by calling us at (770) 315-8145.
Your Local Broker for Medicare Insurance Needs
Paige Gorman Agent
Don’t miss out on the stories that matter most to you –join us on your favorite social media platform to stay connected with everything that’s happening. Together, let’s build stronger, more informed communities!
