Treating psoriatic arthritis (PsA) isn’t like treating strep throat. You don’t just take one medicine for a few days and feel better. PsA is a complex, chronic disease that stays with you and affects many parts of your body — skin, joints, nails, heart, and lungs.

Many medications slow PsA and relieve symptoms, but the first treatment you try won’t always be the right one for you. Click here to continue reading.

We’re half-way through the year, and this is the best time to make sure that you and your business are doing the right things to save every possible dollar.  As a business owner, one of your many jobs is to maximize the tax code to minimize your tax dollars.  And as an individual, you need to make sure every dollar possible goes to your family, your entertainment, your investments and your retirement.

Have a plan.  Meet with your tax professional at least twice a year in addition to tax time.  When you are pulling documents and working towards filing a return, it’s not a good time to make changes and plans.  So set up a time to meet after the return is done, and again before the year is over.  Make sure you’ve discussed and checked off all these items:

• What taxes do I need to pay quarterly to avoid penalties?
• Have I maximized my non-taxable retirement contributions?
• Is my accounting system up to date and reconciled?
• If I’m an S-Corp, did I pay my own payroll?
• Am I on track to file all quarterly and year end reports?
• Do I need to/should I purchase capital items this year?
• How am I maintaining proof of all expenses?
• If I am a cash basis taxpayer, should I delay client invoicing? Make contractor payments before the end of the year?
• Have I maximized my healthcare costs for tax purposes?

Finally, mid-year is a good time to take a hard look at your financials and make adjustments.  With your accountant, partner(s), business mentor, your spouse, or all of the above, look at your profit-and-loss statement.  Compare your results to last year, adjust your marketing efforts and get rid of unnecessary expenditures.  Look at your balance sheet to understand where you are:  Is your business always ready to sell?  Is your borrowing in line with your revenues?  Are you compensating yourself enough? 

If it sounds overwhelming, it’s because you are the expert in your business, but maybe not in accounting and tax planning.  So ask the experts.  Make an appointment today with your tax professional and your accountant.  Spend an hour with each of them, let them help you plan. Your wallet will thank you. 

Article submitted by DeeAnne McClenahan, Enrolled Agent with  MCC Tax Experts.   Text or call  602.214.4608 or make an appointment here for a free consultation.

Check your medical records once a year! It’s very important for you to review the records due to mis-information being reported which can affect your ability to qualify for some health and life insurance policies. Request your report by visiting the Medical Information Bureau at https:www.mib.com or call 866-692-6901.

When COVID-19 shut down many doctors’ offices, the virtual visit, also called telemedicine, became a much more common way to receive medical attention that may be been received in an urgent care or a visit to the doctor’s office.

How it works…typically you will pre-register when you subscribe to a telemedicine plan to create your log-in and password. You will also set up a personal portal with any regular medications you are taking or allergic to.

The following tips can help you prepare for and maximize a telehealth visit with your doctor.

Prepare for a telehealth visit the same way you would for an in-person visit: Make a list of your symptoms, your questions and your current medications. For certain types of appointments – if you have a rash or a wound, for example – your doctor may ask you to take a photo and upload it to a patient portal first.

Avoid bulky clothing in case your doctor needs to watch you breathe or see where something hurts.

If technology intimidates you, the telemedicine programs are very user friendly and come with full instructions. Or, if your personal doctor offers telehealth, call the office and they can walk you through it.

Log in 10 minutes before our appointment time to deal with any possible glitches. In case your video or log-in doesn’t work at first, connecting early can avoid problems.

Above all, be ready for the call from the doctor. If you miss it, you may lose your appointment and have to reschedule.

Telemedicine/telehealth is here to stay. It is safe, convenient and can be less expensive than going to urgent care or a doctor’s office. If you need an affordable telemedicine plan, contract me.