U3-Sebastian South Living-Vol.561

For What It’s Worth by

It appears that my last two columns regarding the di culty which many patients are facing when attempting to make an appointment with their physician, or attempting to get someone to call them back regarding their medical issues, from doctors who are employed by the large hospital(s) in our communities have struck a nerve. I am used to receiving responses (thank you very much) from some of my articles, but never have I received so many at one time, and they keep coming. I thought this was a big problem for me personally, but apparently, it is an even larger problem than I thought. e emails that I have received are upsetting and at times heartbreaking. Elderly people without a doctor, when their physician of many years suddenly takes a leave of absence or retires, with no one to replace them. People who have to wait months, some nearly a year, to get on their physician’s schedule for treatment, some without the resources to know where to turn, and without guidance from the very institution with which they placed their trust.

In my opinion, and the opinion of others, the system is broken. We all deserve better than this. When people are sick, when people are hurting, when people expect to be treated, and are turned down, they feel abandoned, lost, bewildered, and angry. What’s worse, many of you have asked me to help. I wish I could, but like you, I don’t know where to turn. Still, since I have some public

Dr. Melfi, Ph.D.

voice, and a conscience that realizes we all have to do our part to help, I reached out to the hospital to see if they employed a patient advocate who could eld all the calls/complaints and frustrations, and guess what? I found a department that allegedly can help. It is known as the Patient Experience O ce, and the phone number is 772-223-4995. A er two phone calls and several hours later, my call was returned by a very nice woman who was willing to give me the opportunity to voice my concerns. She said she understood the frustration of having to wait for appointments for months, or having a doctor who no longer works there, nor replaced, leaving patients without a physician. She told me her o ce is open to any and all concerns, and she does what she can to allay those concerns, and will contact individual physician o ces to attempt to get earlier appointments.

When I asked her why there is such a long wait to get appointments, even for long-standing patients with doctors of record, she said that with the growth of the community and the large in ux in the population coming to Florida, there are simply not enough doctors to see patients. I nd that answer truthful, but frankly, unacceptable. She also stated that many doctors have le this facility, and have not been replaced, but that they are “working on it.” I don’t doubt what she says is true, but why are doctors’ leaving, and by leaving, I mean leaving our community unattended? Something has to change. is should not be accepted

as the new normal. Sick people need to get well, it’s as simple as that. e question is, how can we do that without appointments or physicians? I am all for nurse practitioners. I am a nurse, rst and foremost, but nurses are not doctors, regardless of how intelligent they are (and they are!).

As well, I reminded the woman I spoke with that at the least, the front line of sta workers elding calls should be held to a higher standard of professionalism, by being kind, considerate and courteous, not rude and dismissive, like some of you have encountered. She agreed. So how much can she help? I don’t know, but personally, I still have to wait until the end of August to see my physician, even though I have been a patient of his for the past ten years.

For What It’s Worth, l appreciated her empathy on behalf of all of us, but it didn’t get me into my doctor any sooner. Maybe a few letters to the administration would be the incentive for change. en again, maybe not.

2.) Danny Howes is an Enrolled Agent (EA), which is the highest credential awarded by the IRS. This designation means that he is unrestricted as to which taxpayers he can represent, which IRS offices he can represent clients before, and what types of tax matters he can handle.

3.) East Coast Tax & Financial Planning is a year-round tax firm, meaning that if you ever have questions about or issues with your taxes, then you can get in touch with the actual person who completed them... no matter the season!

WILLIAM WILSON HAS, NBC-HIS

Bill has been board certi ed in Hearing Instrument Sciences. He has a true passion for Hearing Healthcare and is so thankful to have changed the lives for thousands of his patients in Sebastian, FL. Bill has an amazing memory which helps with his personalized approach to solving problems for his patients by matching technology with lifestyle. He is constantly researching and digesting new information to nd speci c ways that it can bene t his own patients. Mr. Wilson goes above and beyond in his daily interaction with patients.

His number one goal is to improve the quality of his patient’s lives, whether it is in his of ce,over the phone or inhome care.

EAST COAST TAX & FINANCIAL PLANNING

Your Accountant, Financial Advisor, & Insurance Agent...

By Gabby Gregory

When was the last time you sat down with your accountant, nancial advisor, and insurance agent all in one room or on a conference call to talk about you, your money, and your goals? If you’re like most other people, then your answer is “never.”

At East Coast Tax & Financial Planning, however, you receive comprehensive advice about all three — accounting and taxes, insurance, and investment/ nancial management — during each and every meeting. After all, as the owner and CEO of the business — Danny Howes, EA, RFC — says, “You can make the best nancial investment decisions in the world, but if you’re giving most of it to Uncle Sam, it’s not a good investment strategy.”

Discovering the Dangers & Disconnect

For the past 20+ years, Danny has been working in the nancial services industry with a speci c mission in mind: to prevent people from going through the same unfortunate scenario that his family did.

Indeed, Danny’s father had no plans in place when, suddenly, he died of a heart attack at 60 years old. This tragedy led to a dif cult and challenging journey to put the pieces back together and ensure his mother and family were taken care of properly. In response to the experience, Danny transformed his whole approach to nancial planning and went to the drawing board, designing a planning process to help others avoid similar situations.

As he spent more time in the nancial industry, Danny realized that there was a “huge disconnect” between taxes, insurance, and investments. He decided the best solution would be to bridge those gaps himself, as he had the training, experience, and licenses for each.

All in One!

Comprehensive Financial Planning for Everyone

East Coast Tax & Financial Planning is a full-service accounting rm and insurance agency that offers investment management and nancial advice. Even if the experts at East Coast Tax & Financial Planning aren’t providing services in all three of these areas, they are happy to collaborate with your other providers to ensure that the advice and guidance given in any of these areas is accurate.

Danny and his professional team strive to educate and empower their clients to make smart nancial choices, whether they are business planning, saving for retirement, or already retired. Their process meets their clients where they’re at now, and they work together to develop a plan and a strategy to help their clients get where they want to go.

“It’s essential to look at potential pitfalls that can derail your plan and then proactively add measures of protection and maneuvers to navigate through the ‘what-ifs’ in life.

Like in science, we look at your nancial plan and apply pressure. We want to see what your plan looks like in alternative environments. For example, economic downturn, disability, premature death, long-term care, etc. Planning for these things makes it much easier to handle them when they arise, instead of dealing with them in real-time with no clear plan in place.”

— Danny Howes, EA, RFC

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” —

Benjamin Franklin

Visit East Coast Tax & Financial Planning sooner rather than later to make the proper plans to protect yourself, your family, and your loved ones! Danny attests that his clients have expressed that they wish they had started the process much sooner.

Danny Howes, EA, RFC

Wealth Management and Investment Advisory Services are offered through Truvestments Capital LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor.