TSO Network Update - September 2017

Vol. 6, Issue 9 September 2017 “In light of the current situation in Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, and Victoria; I’d like to reiterate Dr. Brian Blount’s TOA message on tips for flooding and an office response to these situations. The TSO offices that were not affected are here to help in the recovery of those who are in need.”- Dr. Benny Peña Emergency Actions After Hurricane Harvey Several of our fellow optometrists have been displaced, flooded and without power from this week’s Hurricane Harvey. We have been sharing resources and encouragement, as well as the following reminders concerning emergency actions after a catastrophe. Texas optometrists have had to once again board up, pack up, and do their best to prepare their offices and homes for this year’s devastating storms. TOA Past President Brian Blount, OD has some hard-earned Hurricane Rita wisdom of simple things that you can quickly do to protect your assets and livelihood after the storm. 1. Account for your family and staff. Get people emergency aid first and foremost. 2. Get cameras and start taking pictures of all the damage immediately. This will serve as evidence if the insurance companies question your recovery efforts. 3. Be careful about accepting interim fill-in work with other offices. This may cancel your stop-gap insurance payments. 4. If you have not done so, pack up your computers, financial records, AND YOUR APPOINTMENT CALENDAR. You will need these to get compensated by your insurance company. Business policies usually pay for loss of business and downtime. But you must show that your office had appointments booked and you must calculate how much of this is not “re-bookable” - you must be able to calculate how many of these patients could not wait and would go to another optometrist for services. The insurance companies generally don’t pay for “delayed” revenues, it must be lost income. Take ALL financial records with you, Chairman’s CORNER - Benny Peña, OD After the Storm including check books, bank and credit card statements, bank line of credit numbers, etc. These documents if found floating down stream or in the trash barrel can be used to set you up for identity theft. 5. Try to limit the water damage. As soon as the storm passes, hire or rent equipment to pump the water out of your office. Insurance usually pays for this 100%. Rip out all carpets. Once the water is out, rip off all floor mouldings. These keep the water from quickly draining. Rip off the lower wall boarding and insulation to just above the water line and throw all of it out. These are full of water and will “wick” up causing more damage and the growth of mold. 6. If windows have been blown out, send someone to the nearest lumber yard and start boarding up holes that the after rains can come through. Cover large holes in a roof with plastic sheeting - you will need to nail this down. If possible, call a roofing company as soon as possible and get on their waiting list for service. continued on next page

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