Category: News

Enrollment for health insurance on the federally facilitated marketplace is now open, and many Tennesseans will have some new choices in 2019.
Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak says Tennessee will have one new carrier, one that is returning after an absence of a few years and two that are expanding coverage.
In addition, the department has approved premium rate decreases for two longtime market participants.
Consumers have until Dec. 15 to apply or re-enroll for coverage in 2019.
More information is posted on the department’s website, including contact numbers for each of the carriers along with a coverage area map.
Consumers with questions can also call the department at 800-342-4029.

Tennesseans will head to the polls across the state Tuesday to vote in the Nov. 6 general election.
1,378,840 Tennesseans voted in person or absentee during the two-week early voting period which ended Thursday, November 1, 2018. A comprehensive breakdown and interactive map from the Division of Elections shows how this turnout compares to past election years.
Voters can download the GoVoteTN app, available in the App Store or Google Play, to view voter-specific information. Voters can find polling locations, view and mark sample ballots and much more. The platform is also available at GoVoteTN.com.
When polls open and close
Polls open at various times depending on the county. Here in Coffee County the polls are open 8 am-7 pm.
Being flexible may also help speed up the process. Midmorning and midafternoon are usually slower times at polling locations, while early morning, noon and 5 p.m. are peak times as people typically vote before work, after work or on their lunch breaks.
Tennesseans voting on Election Day should remember to bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security as well as photo IDs issued by Tennessee state government or the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable.
More information about what types of ID are acceptable can be found here: What ID is required when voting? or by calling toll free 1-877-850-4959.
Unofficial election results for the Nov. 6 general election will be posted at elections.tn.gov and local results at wmsrradio.com.
State law requires polling locations and the area within a 100-foot boundary surrounding each entrance remain campaign-free zones. Tennessee law prohibits the display or distribution of campaign materials and the solicitation of votes for or against any person, party or question on the ballot in these areas.
Frail, physically disabled or visibly pregnant voters should tell their polling officials if they are unable to wait in line to vote. The law allows them to move through the process faster.

On November 13, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office will join various state and local partners to launch Operation Incognito statewide. The campaign was developed this year to evolve Tennessee’s fourth statewide distracted driving enforcement initiative, known as “the bus tour.”
Operation Incognito will also promote National Traffic Incident Response Week, which occurs November 11-17. The campaign will focus on the dangers of distracted driving and emphasize Tennessee’s “move over law.”

The cost of living increase or COLA that takes effect for people on Social Security next year will be the most generous in seven years – but it’s still mostly grocery money and not a trip to the beach.
The average Tennessee recipient collects almost $1,400 a month from Social Security, so with the increase, the typical senior is looking at about a $40 monthly boost, or $468 per year. Mary Johnson, Social Security and Medicare policy analyst with the Senior Citizens League, said this is the largest COLA increase since 2012.
“And there have been three years when there was no cost of living adjustment at all,” Johnson said. “And in 2017, it was only three-tenths of a percent, or almost zero.”
Johnson said people who receive less than $600 in Social Security income won’t see any net increase in their benefit.
More than 62 million people collect Social Security in the U.S., including more than 936,000 in Tennessee. Johnson said the low cost-of-living increases are concerning, because those who depend the most on this income have lost significant buying power over the years.
“Since the year 2000, Social Security benefits have lost about 34 percent of their buying power,” she said. “And that has really big implications for anybody trying to live on Social Security if they don’t have lots of savings.”
She said people often underestimate how much money they’ll need to live on in retirement and end up spending their savings faster than they planned or going into debt by taking out a second mortgage. Health care and high medication costs are often to blame.
Johnson added seniors in rural areas often face the greatest challenges.
“A lot of people simply did not have the type of job where they had the opportunity to have a 401(k) or to save,” Johnson said. “And 60 percent of retirees are dependent on Social Security for over half of their income.”
Tennessee is one of 37 states that does not tax Social Security benefits. Lawmakers continue to work on solutions for the COLA to better keep up with actual inflation rates.

Congratulations to Manchester Police Investigator Brandon Tomberlin, who graduated from the TBI State Academy on November 1. This is a professional and prestigious training ground for Tennessee law enforcement officers to expand their education and training in the criminal justice field. The Manchester Police Department is grateful for the chance to have an officer attend this excellent training.
Investigator Tomberlin represented Manchester very well as he was named class president.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is issuing a warning about the growing problem of financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.
The department’s Adult Protective Services (APS) division received more than 4,000 complaints of financial exploitation in fiscal year 2017-2018. That’s more than the year prior and an increase of 33% from the state fiscal year 2015-2016.
APS is charged with investigating reports of abuse, neglect (including self-neglect), and/or financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, all across the state.
TDHS is encouraging families and friends to know how to spot financial exploitation.
Common signs include:
· Sudden changes in the person’s financial condition or quality of life.
· Financial activity the person couldn’t have done, such as an ATM withdrawal when the account holder is bedridden.
· Large withdrawals from the person’s bank account.
· No food in the home, the utilities are cut off and the home is not maintained.
· The person is unaware of their finances.
· Unpaid bills.
Two years ago, TDHS led efforts to establish a Coordinated Community Response (CCR) involving more than 20 state and non-profit agencies that offer protective services for vulnerable adults. This CCR has improved communications and investigations involving victims of financial exploitation and abuse.
Call toll-free 1-888-APS-TENN (1-888-277-8366) or report suspected abuse of the elderly and vulnerable adults online at this secure website: https://reportadultabuse.dhs.tn.gov/
There are also steps that can be taken to prevent fraud and financial exploitation. Add your phone number to the Do Not Call list, remove your address from mailing lists, and be aware of common scams by checking listings through consumer report resources.

Automobile accidents can leave victims upset, disoriented, and unsettled. While consumers’ priorities after an accident should include recovering from any injuries and contacting the appropriate insurance providers, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs and the Tennessee Attorney General advises consumers to be aware of individuals who may prey upon victims in order to lure them into the “accident clinic” trap.
Accident clinics target automobile accident victims in order to make money by creating the false impression that the clinics either work for a government agency or are part of an insurance company. The clinics aim to quickly sign up accident victims as patients before they can talk to their own doctor or lawyer. Some clinics use telemarketers to set appointments with accident victims and often call accident victims shortly after an accident. Other clinics may also contact accident victims either by mail or text messages.
Earlier this year, the Tennessee General Assembly passed a new law prohibiting some healthcare providers (though not chiropractors) and their associates, from soliciting victims of an accident or disaster for the purpose of marketing their services within 30 days from the accident. The law is enforced by the Tennessee Department of Health. If you feel you are a potential victim of a violation of this law, you can submit a complaint to the Dept. of Health.
If you have concerns regarding communications from an insurance company or have questions about claims practices, contact the TDCI Consumer Insurance Services Division at (615) 741-2218 or visit tn.gov/insurance.

Your Coffee County Veterans Association will be hosting the annual Veterans Day Ceremony on the historic Manchester Square on Saturday November 10th at 11 AM.
This is an occasion set aside to honor the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have devoted themselves to the defense of our nation and the liberty we hold so dearly. Please join the Veterans Association for this special event.
Veterans Day is Sunday November 11 but is being observed in 2018 on Monday November 12.