Our new office space is great, but our efforts to forward our USPS mail haven’t gone as smoothly as we’d hoped and planned.
If you recently mailed your NCRGEA membership renewal using our return envelope, it may get returned to you with a yellow sticker or the message, “insufficient address.” Here are several options to send in your renewal dues:
Re-address the envelope with the new address below, and mail it again. (This will require a new postage stamp.) NCRGEA 3737 Glenwood Ave. Suite 150 Raleigh, NC 27612
Call us at 919-834-4652 or 1-800-356-1190 during office hours to make your dues payment by credit or debit card.
Make your payment online at Membership Form – NCRGEA.
If you have not yet made your payment, please use one of the options above. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience! If you have questions, please give us a call at 919-834-4652 or 1-800-356-1190. Our staff will be happy to help you.
Kind regards, and happy holidays!
Our office will be closed for the holidays from December 24 through January 2. If you have questions concerning NCRGEA’s dental or vision plans during this time, please contact AMBA, our third-party administrator, at 1-800-258-7041, 8am–5pm CST. For information regarding your pension, state health benefits, etc., visit MyNCRetirement | My NC Retirement or contact the Retirement System at 919-814-4590.
Ready to make the most wonderful time of the year even better? AMBA Discounts can help you save big this Black Friday and throughout the holiday season! Take advantage of all the thoughtful savings available through AMBA and your association. Skip the crowds, save money, and give your family the perfect gifts. Now that’s something to be thankful for!
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Personal Touch– Whether your loved ones have a sweet tooth or a taste for elegance, AMBA Discounts has you covered. From delectable edibles like David’s Cookies and Gourmet Dourmé Chocolate USA to fine jewelry from fine vendors like Enso Los Angeles, the Tresnor Collection, and others, explore the latest savings available to you.
Family Vacations – Nothing brings us together like getting away together. There’s no better way to create lifetime memories and bond with the whole family than with a family vacation. AMBA Discounts partners include Adventures by Disney (AMBA Discounts members earn 4% cash back on your ultimate family enrichment vacation), Villas of Distinction (which gives members 2.5% cash back and $100 credit at hundreds of luxury vacation villas worldwide), and Bellagio Las Vegas (with up to 20% off room rates), and so many more options.
There are so many more savings to explore, including car rentals, hotels, clothing, dining, and more. AMBA Discounts provides excellent savings for the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday wish list.
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for scammers. The holiday season is scammers’ favorite time of year. All those busy, distracted people buying gifts, booking trips, and texting like crazy are ripe for digital robbery.
Scammers have grown incredibly skilled at pushing our buttons and playing on our emotions. But don’t worry. AMBA has the info you need to protect you and your loved ones from some of the most dangerous holiday scams, so you’ll know how to avoid them.
Nearly 75% of Americans experienced at least one type of holiday scam last year.
Auld Lang Scam
During the holidays, old acquaintances and friends fill our inboxes and social accounts with hellos and updates. Scammers know these messages bring out our warm-and-fuzzy side, making us more susceptible to phishing emails or phony cries for help.
These are attempts to exploit your compassion for others. If an old friend contacts you and asks for financial assistance, our natural gut response is to help. And every scammer knows it’s easier to hack a person than a machine. Give your friend a call and confirm whether or not their email is genuine.
The Many Dangers of Gift Cards
A common technique used by fraudsters involves gift cards. The scam involves persuading you to buy a gift card and then asking you to either send the physical card to them or tell them the account numbers and information.
This scam can come via email, text message, or direct call. The tactics the scam artists employ also vary, but they usually try to instill a sense of urgency and panic. Sometimes, phishing emails urge you to send gift cards to pay for late fees or fictitious costs. Sometimes, they invent emergencies involving a loved one to trick you into buying and sending cards.
If this happens to you, it’s essential to slow down and question whether you’re reacting emotionally or rationally. Directly contact whoever contacted you—whether it’s your bank, credit card company, or friend—and verify whether the request is authentic.
Even buying gift cards for loved ones has unique dangers. Thieves can access the gift card info on the racks at the store and monitor when someone has purchased (and then activated) the card. You or your loved one will find the card has already been spent before you can use it.
Fake Online Stores Pose a Real Danger
Shopping online at your favorite stores can have dangerous results: thousands of fake online stores are waiting to steal your money, personal information, and credit card information.
Fortunately, these stores aren’t too hard to spot if you know the warning signs to look out for. Some ways to identify a problem include if the URL is misspelled, conspicuous spelling and grammar mistakes throughout the site, or the images appear pixelated (as a result of being copied from a genuine store website).
And as the old saying goes: If the prices seem too good to be true, they probably are. Scammers like to take advantage of people who want to take advantage of a great deal. Resist the urge to make an impulse purchase, and take the time to make sure you’re on a legitimate website.
You Want to Give, Not Give Away Your Identity
For scammers, every tragedy is an opportunity. Fake donation websites, unfortunately, are an effective tool for digital thieves.
These charitable giving websites – whether for crisis appeals, dog shelters, or international aid – are carefully crafted to exploit our emotions and sense of urgency. This is why these sites frequently pressure you to donate now.
If you want to donate safely, take a moment to type in the actual website of trusted organizations to make your gift. Neverclick on a link in an unsolicited email or download an attachment from a social media post.
False Delivery-Notification Texts
Many of us receive text messages about incoming packages during the holiday season, so this simple ruse is especially effective during this time of the year. In this scenario, you’ll be asked to click on a link prompting you to enter personal information to verify your delivery.
Frequently, this scam will install malware on your phone or computer to secretly steal your information. Occasionally, you’ll even be asked to call a “customer service representative,” who will need your account information to verify your purchase. Don’t fall for it.
Porch Pirates
Home delivery can be a welcome convenience but also a great danger. You’re probably familiar with “porch pirates,” thieves who come to your door and steal your packages and gifts.
There are solutions to help secure your deliveries. One is to opt into delivery-tracking alerts, which will let you know when a delivery will arrive. Another is installing a home security camera, which can have a deterrent effect to keep thieves away and provide evidence if your property is stolen. You can also have packages delivered to your workplace or a nearby UPS store, post office, or Amazon Locker.
Posting Your Holiday Travel Plans? That’s When Scammers Go to Work
Heading out of town for the holidays? Posting your travels creates the perfect opportunity for mischief. You’re informing people – including scam artists – when you’ll be away from home and where you’re going. This can leave you vulnerable on two fronts.
Scammers can alarm travelers with fake offers, insurance cards, visa demands, extra booking charges, etc. One popular ploy is to send out flight-cancellation emails that offer a full refund. The tell? You’ll be asked to provide your bank details. Also, don’t use social media to complain about a flight or holiday. Thieves monitor travel sites and are eager to offer “help.”
If you can resist the urge to post your holiday plans and adventures until after you’ve returned, your home and finances can be much safer. If you have an issue with a merchant during your holiday, contact them directly.
AMBA wants to help ensure you and your loved ones’ holidays are fun, festive, and safe. Following the above tips will help. AMBA will continue to update you on how to stay safe from scam artists. It’s all part of how AMBA looks out for you, your well-being, and your financial safety every day.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly important tool in all walks of life. AI’s ability to analyze data, identify patterns, and make predictions to improve learning and problem-solving has been a game-changer. Healthcare—and eye care in particular—is no exception, as AI is proving to be a valuable tool in helping professionals gain new insights and assist patients in achieving improved diagnoses and results.
Current Uses of AI for Eye Care
Some applications for AI in eye disease detection include:
AI is already being used to detect Diabetic Retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels in the retina. If not treated early, this condition can cause vision loss or even blindness. AI, however, has started to assist professionals in determining whether someone has the early signs of the condition.
AI is also being utilized to detect signs of glaucoma, a common issue for older adults. Like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can cause blindness if not detected and treated early. With optic nerve images, AI has been used to identify early signs of glaucoma, enabling diagnosis and treatment.
AI can help address blindness and vision impairment in various ways. Early detection, diagnosis, and personalized treatment based on specific patient needs are just the start. AI will also be key in assistive technologies, including text-to-speech capabilities, smart glasses, and object recognition software.
Potential Uses of AI in Eye Care
As technology continues to evolve, AI will be able to screen ophthalmic diseases with more efficiency and diagnose eye conditions automatically without human intervention. This will make it easier for doctors to spend time treating patients rather than diagnosing them, customize treatment plans, perform remote consultations, and more. AI has the potential to even assist researchers in developing new treatments for previously untreatable conditions.
AI in eye care will continue to improve as long as deep learning evolves. However, AI still has many limitations. Seeing your eye care professional for eye checkups remains critical to maintaining your vision’s health. The Vision Plan from AMBA and NCRGEA covers annual WellVision checkups and features many significant advantages, including 100% coverage for most lenses (even progressives!) and thousands of nationwide in-network providers. Sign up today – acceptance is GUARANTEED! – at www.AMBAdentalvision.com/NCRGEA or call 800-956-1228.
Early in 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower departed from the cold of the Washington, D.C. winter for a golf vacation in Palm Springs, California.
On the night of the 20th, Ike chipped the porcelain cap of his “upper left central incisor” while eating a chicken wing at dinner. He boarded Air Force One and took an overnight trip to see his dentist to have it repaired. The next morning, Ike was back in Los Angeles, and seen attending a church service.
At least, that’s the official story. There are some conspiracy theorists who believe the dentist story is a ruse to cover something far stranger and weirder.
The Truth Is Out There
In this version of the story, President Eisenhower made a secret nocturnal trip to a nearby Air Force base to meet two extraterrestrial aliens.
In the Ike-met-with-ETs theory, Eisenhower went to Edwards Air Force Base, where he met with two aliens – nicknamed “Nordics” because of their resemblance to Scandinavian humans with their white hair, pale blue eyes and colorless lips. The reason the “Nordics” traveled to Edwards from another solar system and engaged in telepathic communication with Eisenhower was to make a request: If Ike would agree to eliminate America’s nuclear weapons, the “Nordics” would share their superior technology and their spiritual wisdom.
Ike declined the deal because he did not want to give up the nukes. However, later that same year, Ike purportedly reached a deal with a different alien race. Ike would allow the extra-terrestrials to capture earthling cattle and humans for medical experiments if they returned the humans safely home. Since then, these conspiracy theorists claim, “millions” of humans have been kidnapped, and many were never returned.
Did Eisenhower Meet With Aliens?
So, which one is it? Did Ike really meet with ETs 50 years ago? According to an archivist at the Eisenhower Library. “There’s nothing in the archives that indicates that.” He cites James Mixson, the dental historian and professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. Mixson’s article “A History of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Oral Health” is the definitive work on Ike’s teeth. Mixson cites, “the President had well-documented difficulties with this crown” and details how the crown was first installed in July 1952, was chipped and repaired in December 1952, and again in July 1954, when the president’s dentist replaced it with a “thin cast gold/platinum thimble crown.”
Though Ike never made a public statement on the matter, his son provided a terse response to a recent email inquiry if his father had ever met with aliens.
“No.”
He declined to comment further.
Whatever the truth is about the Ike and the aliens conspiracy theory, it’s a well-documented fact that you need a comprehensive Dental Plan. NCRGEA and AMBA can help you keep your mouth healthy and smile attractive! That’s why our Dental Plan provides coverage for twice annual cleanings, access for any dentist you want with bigger savings by staying in-network, and – best of all – NO WAITING PERIOD. Visit AMBAdentalvision.com/NCRGEA or call 800-956-1228 to enroll today.
Falls are one of the most significant health risks for older Americans. According to reports, more than one out of four adults over 65 suffered at least one fall in the past year. One of the most significant factors for fall risk is quality of vision. Studies have found that impaired eyesight more than doubles the danger.
Falls can lead to injury, loss of independence, and worse. Many of these injuries are avoidable. From updating your home to making sure your eyesight is in good health, there are simple ways to protect yourself from the risks of a fall.
1. Lighting – Make sure all rooms – especially stairs – are well-lit. Put night lights and light switches near your bed. Keep a flashlight by your bed in case the power goes out.
2. Stairs – Install handrails on both sides of all stairs inside and outside your home.
3. Floors and Rugs – Fix uneven floors and repair loose floorboards and carpeting. You can also put non-slip strips on tile and wooden floors. Be careful to avoid walking on slippery, recently washed floors.
Keep your floors clutter-free, including cords, papers, shoes, books, boxes, newspapers, and electrical cables.
If you have small rugs on your floors, consider removing them. Otherwise, to help make them safer and more stable, use double-sided tape, tacks, or slip-resistant backing.
4. Grab Bars – Grab bars can help anyone stay safer in the bathroom. Install grab bars to help you climb into the tub or stand in the shower. They will steady you while you reach for the hand-held shower. They will help you get on and off the toilet. They can even keep you from slipping on wet tiles.
Use non-slip mats in the bathtub or shower. You can also use a bath seat to sit on while showering.
5. Make Sure Your Eyes Are Healthy – Poor vision can increase the risk of falls. Not only can poor vision prevent you from seeing obstacles in your path, but being able to see well is vital for your overall ability to balance. Remember to:
Use prescribed glasses and avoid wearing sunglasses indoors.
Bifocals can blur your vision when navigating steps, curbs, or edges. When stepping over curbs and on stairs, look through the distance portion of your glasses, which can provide a clearer view.
Add nightlights in the bedroom, bathroom, and hallway to help you navigate in the dark. Don’t forget to give your eyes time to adjust when moving from well-lit to poorly-lit areas.
Get annual eye exams to update your glasses prescription and catch early warnings of issues like glaucoma and cataracts.
Remember: everything you do to prevent a fall is an investment in your health…and your vision! AMBA and NCRGEA have a comprehensive Vision Plan at affordable rates. Advantages include annual WellVision checkups, 100% coverage for most lenses (even progressives!), and thousands of nationwide in-network providers. Sign up today – acceptance is GUARANTEED! – at AMBAdentalvision.com/NCRGEA or call or call 800-956-1228 Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm ET.
