Newsletter February & March 2023



GET A HEALTHY START TO THE NEW
YEAR
Happy New Year! Looking for a way to stay on top of your health in 2023? Medicare covers
many preventive and screening services. These services can help keep you from getting
sick, and can help find health problems early when treatment is most likely to work best.
Talk to your doctor about which ones might be right for you.
If you have Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B), sign in to your secure Medicare
account to see a personalized list of current and upcoming preventive services. If you don't
already have an account, it's free — and easy — to sign up.
If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan, contact your plan for a list of covered preventive
services. MA Plans must cover all the same preventive services as Original Medicare, and
some may offer additional services.
Good news: Now people with Medicare Part D drug coverage will pay nothing out-of-
pocket for even more vaccines, including the shingles vaccine, that are recommended by
the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
Preventive & screening services
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
covers:
* Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
* Alcohol misuse screenings & counseling
* Bone mass measurements (bone density)
* Cardiovascular disease screenings
* Cardiovascular disease (behavioral therapy)
* Cervical & vaginal cancer screening
* Colorectal cancer screenings
o Multi-target stool DNA tests
o Screening barium enemas
o Screening colonoscopies
o Screening fecal occult blood tests
o Screening flexible sigmoidoscopies
* Depression screenings
* Diabetes screenings
* Diabetes self-management training
* Flu shots
* Glaucoma tests
* Hepatitis B shots
* Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection screening
* Hepatitis C screening test
* HIV screening
* Lung cancer screening
* Mammograms (screening)
* Nutrition therapy services
* Obesity screenings & counseling
* One-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit
* Pneumococcal shots
* Prostate cancer screenings
* Sexually transmitted infections screening & counseling
* Shots:
o COVID-19 vaccines
o Flu shots
o Hepatitis B shots
o Pneumococcal shots
* Tobacco use cessation counseling
* Yearly "Wellness" visit

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HOW MUCH WILL GAS COST IN 2023?
National average price of gas in 2023 projected to drop, though high levels of uncertainty remain
After a tumultuous year for gas prices, some relief may be on the way in 2023. The yearly
national average price of gas in 2023 is forecast to drop nearly 50 cents per gallon from that of
2022 to $3.49, according to GasBuddy’s 2023 Fuel Outlook released today. Continuing
improvement in refinery capacity will help alleviate gasoline and diesel prices, though high
levels of uncertainty remain amidst Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine and continuing economic
concerns. A $4 national average remains possible ahead of and during the summer driving
season.
Highlights from GasBuddy’s 2023 Fuel Outlook:
* The national average price of gas could cool early in the year as demand remains
seasonally weak, followed by a rise that starts in late winter, bringing prices to the $4 per
gallon range in time for summer. Barring unexpected challenges, prices in 2023 should
return to normal seasonal fluctuations, rising in the spring, and dropping after Labor Day
into the fall.
* Though most major U.S. cities will see prices top around $4 per gallon, areas of
California like San Francisco and Los Angeles could again experience near $7 gas prices
again in the summer of 2023 if refineries struggle under mandates of unique formulations
of gasoline.
* Americans will spend an estimated $470.8 billion on gasoline in 2023, down $55 billion
from 2022. The estimated yearly household spend on gasoline will also fall $277 to
$2,471.
*
“2023 is not going to be a cakewalk for motorists. It could be expensive,” said Patrick De
Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “The national average could breach $4
per gallon as early as May – and that’s something that could last through much of the summer
driving season. Basically, curveballs are coming from every direction. Extreme amounts of
volatility remain possible, but should become slightly more muted in the year ahead. I don’t
think we’ve ever seen such an amount of volatility as we saw this year, and that will be a trend
that likely continues to lead to wider uncertainty over fuel prices going into 2023.”
The highest gasoline prices are forecast to be seen in June, with an estimated peak of up to
$4.19 per gallon on average. Diesel prices are forecast to average $4.12 in 2023, beginning
the year at their highest level and then rebounding as high as $4.30 per gallon in June.
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What are the most expensive states
for auto insurance?
by Lyle Adriano 12 Jan 2022
US auto insurance rates are rebounding for 2022 - a new eye-opening report from
insurance comparison website The Zebra found.
The Zebra’s “2022 State of Auto Insurance Report” examines over 83 million auto
insurance rates across all 34,500 US ZIP codes. The report also looks into decades of
insurance rates data to uncover pricing trends.
New data from The Zebra reveals that despite the financial relief measures passed by
insurers during the pandemic, auto insurance costs have continued to climb over the years.
The report found that the national average annual cost for auto insurance is $1,529, up 3%
from last year’s reduced rates. It also noted that despite the rebates provided by insurers
during the pandemic, auto rates have increased by 26% since 2011.
Auto insurance rates also vary across regions and states, the report revealed. Louisiana
saw the largest average increases in auto insurance rates at 42%, making it the most
expensive state for auto insurance. On the flip side, Maryland has seen the most significant
decreases to average auto insurance rates, at 9%.
According to The Zebra, the most expensive states for auto insurance (in terms of average
annual rates) are:
1. Louisiana: $3,265
2. Michigan: $2,639
3. Florida: $2,425
Meanwhile, the most expensive cities for auto insurance (in terms of average annual rates)
are:
1. New Orleans, LA: $3,532
2. Baton Rouge, LA: $3,473
3. Alexandria, LA: $3,202
While the COVID-19 pandemic decreased road activity – with the decrease in the number
of miles driven during the first year of the health crisis reported to be as high as 14% by the
Federal Highway Administration (FHA) – the number of annual miles driven is only one
factor considered in auto insurance pricing, the report said. The Zebra explained that this is
why drivers only saw a 4% drop in rates during 2020.
But driving activity is normalizing, as the FHA estimates that there was an 11% increase in
miles driven during October 2021. With the return of drivers also came much deadlier road
conditions, as risky driving behaviors like distracted and aggressive driving, speeding and
impaired driving have spiked, The Zebra stated. Citing data from the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, the report said that an estimated 20,160 people died in motor
vehicle crashes in the first half of 2021, which is an 18.4% from 2020.
Weather was also a factor considered by the report. Although 2021 saw fewer hurricanes
than 2020, the year was still considered an above-average hurricane season. It was also
noted that winter storms last year caused $15 billion in insured losses, up from only $1
billion in 2020. The Zebra highlighted that much of the damage was caused by just two
winter storms that occurred in February.
The Zebra’s findings echo those uncovered by the National Association of Mutual
Insurance Companies (NAMIC) in another previous report.
In December, NAMIC published a report which looked into the cost drivers that influence
auto insurance rate increases. The report uncovered a lot of notable data on factors that
have contributed to higher rates, such as the significant increase in driver numbers, cars
becoming more expensive to repair, medical care similarly becoming more expensive over
the years, more cases of auto theft and fraud, and more claims for damage caused by
extreme weather.
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7 Clothing Items to Never Wear Through
Airport Security, Experts Say
Juliana LaBianca January 2, 2023·
The 20 minutes spent going through airport security are often the most stressful of any
trip. It seems like every time you go through the process, the rules change. Sometimes,
you need to remove your shoes, while other times, you can leave them on. Half the
time, your bag goes in a bin, while the other half, you can push it through the X-ray
machine on its own. All this is even more disorienting, given the speed at which you're
expected to move. To make things easier, you'll want to get your basics right—and that
includes your outfit. Keep reading to hear from travel and airline experts about the
clothing items to never wear through airport security. Your next trip will be so much
smoother.
Clothing Items to Never Wear Through Airport Security
1. Flip-Flops

Sandals are easy to slip on and off, but that doesn't make them ideal travel shoes.
"Don't wear flip-flops or sandals if you're concerned about germs on the floor if you
have to take off your shoes," says Cheryl Nelson, certified lifestyle and travel
preparedness expert and founder of Prepare with Cher. "Always wear socks to protect
your feet—we don't know what else could be on that floor."
If there's an emergency during your flight, flip-flops could also make it more difficult to
escape to safety, especially if there is debris on the floor.
2. Difficult Shoes

The number one thing to consider when choosing shoes to wear through airport
security is that you'll likely have to take them on and off. "Don't wear footwear that is
difficult to get off or put back on, like tight-fitting boots," says Nelson. "Shoes with
buckles and laces also add time in line."
A slip-on sneaker, loafer, or boot will keep your feet comfortable and protected. And
don't forget those socks!
3. Metal Pins and Clips

You know you shouldn't wear metal through the X-ray machine at the airport. But
oftentimes, it's the easily forgettable pieces of metal that set off the alarm. Metal hair
clips and bobby pins fall into this category.
"These may set off the metal detector and risk inspection, thus possibly ruining your
styled hair," says Nelson. "Metal clothing fasteners or body piercings may also cause
you to get flagged."
4. Belts

It might just be easier to pack your belt in your luggage.
"You will almost always be asked to take it off, and trying to take off a belt while juggling
your luggage, shoes, or kids only makes things more difficult," says Nelson. "If you
have to remove your shoes too, then you have more clothing items to try to quickly put
back on on the other side of security."
5. Bulky Clothing

Oversized clothing might be comfy—especially if you've got a long flight ahead—but it
could lead to chaos at airport security.
"Flowy dresses, skirts, or bulky sweaters and sweatshirts may cause you to get
selected for a pat-down to ensure you're not hiding anything," says Nelson.
Also on this list? Cargo pants and other pieces of clothing with lots of pockets. "These
items make it easy to forget about something in your pocket that could flag security,
such as keys, a money clip, or a small bottle of water," Nelson adds.
6. Bulky Outerwear

Traveling anywhere with winter garb can be frustrating. When heading to airport
security during the colder months, it's not about leaving your gear at home but
organizing it ahead of your turn in line at the X-ray machine.
"Since you'll need them at your destination or on the plane, take these items off and
carry them prior to getting to security to save time," says Nelson. "You will be asked to
remove anything bulky at the metal detector."
Again, you'll want to avoid items that are difficult to take on and off. And remember to
grab all of your pieces. If you think there's a high chance you'll forget your hat or gloves
in the security bin, toss them in your carry-on.
7. Costume Jewelry

Large costume jewelry with lots of metal will most likely need to be put through the X-
ray machine. So, either pack it safely in your carry-on or remove it carefully in the
security line.
"I've witnessed someone removing a large pearl necklace that got snagged on her
clothes and broke, sending pearls bouncing all over the floor," says Nelson. You'll also
want to avoid wearing pieces that are expensive or sentimental. Better to pack those in
your carry-on, so they're close by but secured.
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IF YOU TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-
19, GET TREATMENT RIGHT AWAY
The sooner you act on your COVID-19 symptoms, the better. If you test positive — and
are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 — treatments are available to reduce your
chances of severe illness.
Here's what you need to know:
* Don't delay — get tested as soon as possible after your
symptoms start. Treatment must be started within days after you first develop
symptoms to be effective.
* If you test positive, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider right away to find
out if treatment is right for you, even if your symptoms are mild. There are multiple
options for treating COVID-19 at home or in an outpatient setting.
If you're symptomatic, you may also want to consider using the Test to Treat
program. With thousands of locations nationwide, it can provide faster, easier access to
lifesaving COVID-19 treatments. If you test positive, you can see a healthcare provider,
and if eligible, get a prescription for an oral COVID-19 treatment and have that prescription
filled — all at one location.
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ARE YOU AT HIGH RISK FOR DEVELOPING GLAUCOMA?
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye's optic nerve and can result in vision
loss and even blindness. Some forms of glaucoma don't have any symptoms, so you may
have the disease even if you don't have any trouble seeing or feel any pain. Half of people
with glaucoma don't know they have it.
If you get a glaucoma test and start treatment early, you may protect your eyes from
serious vision loss. Medicare covers a glaucoma screening once every 12 months if
you're at high risk for developing glaucoma.
If you have one of these conditions, then you're considered at high risk for developing
glaucoma:
* You have diabetes
* You have a family history of glaucoma
* You're African American and age 50 or older
* You're Hispanic and age 65 or older
Keep an eye on your eyesight. If you think you may be at high risk, talk to your doctor to
make sure you're up-to-date on your glaucoma screening this year.
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FIND THE RIGHT DOCTOR FOR YOU
Are you looking for a new doctor — or specialist — and not sure where to
start? Medicare.gov makes it quick and easy to find and compare doctors and other
providers in your area.
Here's how:
1. Visit Medicare.gov/care-compare. Select "Doctors & clinicians," and enter your
location. You can also search by specialty, like general practice or internal
medicine.
2. Review details about the doctors you're interested in, like their contact
information, practice locations, hospital affiliation, or if they offer telehealth
services.
3. You can also select the "compare" button to compare up to 3 different doctors
you're interested in.
Once you're ready to schedule a visit with a new doctor, be sure to call ahead to verify
general information, like office location, if they're accepting new patients with Medicare,
and if you need a referral.
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Housing: The three biggest challenges
homebuyers are facing right now,
according to agents and buyers
Alexandra Garfinkle and Dylan Croll
It's no secret that buying a house is tough right now. Homebuyers are facing rising interest rates,
low inventory, and still-high prices. Yahoo Finance sat down with both experts and home-
seekers to see what the market looks like on the ground. Here's what they had to say:
Higher interest rates have stopped buyers in their tracks
"Generally speaking, buyers are really holding off at the moment for a variety of reasons,
including the new interest rates," said Ed Fitz, a real estate agent and partner at The Agency in
Los Angeles, "That's changed things dramatically since last spring. Nobody quite knows where
the market is going next, whether it's Los Angeles, California or even nationally."

The average 30-year fixed loan currently hovers around 6.5 percent compared to roughly 3.5
percent a year ago. Consequently, the National Association of Realtors recently reported that
existing U.S. home sales totaled 5.03 million last year, a 17.8% decline from 2021, the weakest
year for home sales since 2014.
"It just came to a grinding halt when interest rates went crazy and now we're just not finding a
lot on the market," said Danielle Cohen, who's been searching for a home in Los Angeles with
her husband, David Jarvie, for about two years.
Inventory's gotten low
Last week, the National Association of Realtors reported that housing inventory had fallen
to 970,000 units in December, down 13.4% the previous month.
"I think a lot of people right now are afraid to list their house, so if they don't have to, they
won't," Jarvie added.

A home for sale that is currently under contract is seen in Silver Spring, Maryland, December
30, 2015. Contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes fell in November for the third time in
four months, a signal that growth in the U.S. housing market could be cooling. The National
Association of Realtors (NAR) said on Wednesday its pending home sales index slipped 0.9
percent to 106.9. REUTERS/Gary CameronMore
Getting pricing right is tough
The sellers who are out in the market have been hesitant to drop their prices. The U.S. is coming
off a long expansion in the real estate market, and consumers haven't caught up psychologically.
Fitz has been gathering data on this phenomenon through the app he launched called "Domicile:
Game of Homes," a sort of "The Price Is Right" game focused on real estate.
Despite the increase in interest rates, home prices have remained consistently high. For instance,
the national median existing-home price reached $370,700 in November, up 3.5% from a year
ago, according to the National Association of Realtors. This was the 129th consecutive month of
year-over-year gains.
"People who aren't actively in the market, who are just guessing the prices... are guessing higher
than where the house actually sells," said Fitz. "The mind of the average consumer hasn't caught
up to the realities of the market right now."
But there's hope. Jason Oppenheim, who as serves president and founder of The Oppenheim
Group, a real estate firm that's featured on Netflix's (NFLX) LA-based reality TV series "Selling
Sunset," weighed in on real estate prices going forward.
"In terms of prices, there's gonna be some stability, which is probably healthy for the market," he
said. "We don't want the spikes and downs. So I think we're going to see a relatively healthy
market over the next few years in real estate as it relates to prices."
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Where Should You Hold Your Cash?
Consider ease of access, insurance, and yield when deciding where to hold your cash.
With interest rates and inflation rising in tandem, you might be wondering how to get the most out of
the cash you hold. Rising interest rates have started to offer better yields on the cash you can invest,
even as inflation erodes your long-term purchasing power. So, where's the smart place to keep your
cash? It depends on how you plan to use it.
Should you have cash in your investment portfolio?
Cash can be a key component of a diversified investment portfolio, helping to reduce portfolio risk,
provide stability, and generate yield on the money you need for specific goals like establishing an
emergency fund or making a down-payment on a house.
There are a few options to consider for savings and investment cash:
? A yield-bearing savings account can be used for cash that you've set aside for an emergency
or that you're planning on moving to a checking account soon. This type of account probably
won't offer the highest yield, but you'll be able to access your cash immediately. Savings
accounts are insured by the FDIC against the loss of your money up to $250,000 per depositor,
per FDIC-insured bank, based on account ownership type.
? A purchased money fund is a type of mutual fund designed to keep your capital stable and
liquid. Such funds invest primarily in high-quality, short-term debt securities. If you're willing to
wait a day to access your cash1, you might consider making money funds part of your portfolio
because they can offer higher yields than a savings account. Although yields fluctuate, such
funds strive to preserve the value of your investment. That said, money funds are not FDIC-
insured.
? A Certificate of Deposit (CD) is a type of savings account issued by a bank that offers you a
fixed rate of return in exchange for locking away your funds for a set period of time (the "maturity
date"), generally between 3 months and 5 years. CDs may be appropriate if you have a long
time horizon or know you won't need the money immediately. As a rule, the yield on a CD is
higher the longer your money is invested and is typically (but not always) higher than yields on
individual U.S. Treasury bonds or purchased money funds. However, if you need to withdraw the
money sooner than expected, you may be charged an early withdrawal penalty and you may
receive back less than the premium at maturity. CDs are insured by the FDIC against the loss of
your money up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank.
Should you have cash outside your investment portfolio—and if so,
where do you put it?
You'll need a place to keep so-called "everyday cash"—the money you use for day-to-day expenses
and paying bills. Two account types offer easy access to everyday cash:
1. A checking account can help cover daily spending needs, check-writing, and ATM usage. Bank
checking accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), an
independent agency of the US government, against the loss of up to $250,000 per depositor, per
insured bank, based on account ownership type.
2. A brokerage account. Uninvested cash from this type of account earns interest and is available
for investing or managing expenses. Holding cash here is appropriate if you plan to spend the
money within a few days or would like to quickly place a trade. Assets in your brokerage account
are protected up to $500,000 per investor, including a maximum of $250,000 in cash, by
Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), in the event a SIPC-member brokerage fails.
When you're deciding where to hold your cash, ease of access, insurance, and yield all figure into the
picture. For near-term use, accessibility will be a big consideration, while cash for long-term use has
the potential to earn higher returns. However you deploy your cash, be sure to revisit your decisions
as your plans and goals change.
1If you sell your shares by 4 p.m. Eastern time, you'll have next-day access to funds.

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