One City Built to Last
The news is in: On November 7, 2014, the justices announced they would decide on a lawsuit claiming that the language of the Affordable Care Act doesn’t allow the government to provide tax-credits to low-and-moderate-income health insurance consumers using federally funded Obamacare exchanges operating in more than 30 states. Indeed, there’s a medical quagmire. And there is a lack of communication between doctors, staffing and patients. For example, the Affordable Care Act isn’t just about insurance coverage. The legislation is also about transforming the way health care is provided. In fact, it has brought in new competitors, services and business practices, which are in turn producing substantial industry shifts that affect all players along health care’s value chain. Read Amy Armstrongs story on page 16. On page 21, our reporter Judy Magness, profiles companies all over the country making incredible advances. Take a look at Functional Medicine and the driving breakthroughs in breast cancer while The news is in: On November 7, 2014, the justices announced they would decide on a lawsuit claiming that the language of the Affordable Care Act doesn’t allow the government to provide tax-credits to low-and-moderate-income health insurance consumers using federally funded Obamacare exchanges operating in more than 30 states. Indeed, there’s a medical quagmire. And there is a lack of communication between doctors, staffing and patients. For example, the Affordable Care Act isn’t just about insurance coverage. The legislation is also about transforming the way health care is provided. In fact, it has brought in new competitors, services and business practices, which are in turn producing substantial industry shifts that affect all players along health care’s value chain. Read Amy Armstrongs story on page 16. On page 21, our reporter Judy Magness, profiles companies all over the country making incredible advances. Take a look at Functional Medicine and the driving breakthroughs in breast cancer while
y dan harvey Thinking the UNTHINKABLE: envisioning “What Ifs?” Gary Crisci, AAMS, ADPA, CRPC, is one of the new breed of investment advisors: those who have moved away from large firms controlled by banks and into full-service independent practice. Crisci, who heads the Naples, Fla.-based Crisci Private Wealth Management, helps the average investor better comprehend the complexities of wealth management – such as asset growth and protection – and how the most appropriate investment strategies relate to their specific financial concerns and upcoming life passages. Often, this means confronting issues no one likes to consider. One of his firm’s main investment strategies is making sure that clients are as financially secure in retirement as they were during their working years. But age-related roadblocks can scuttle that security. People are living longer ever since 80 became the new 60, and that changed the game as far as cash flow, whether the client has $250,000 or $20 million. “Long-term care looms large, and that needs to be brought up early in the planning process,” says Crisci. Does the client have enough assets to self-insure for long-term care? Some do. For those who don’t, he explains long-term care insurance. “Many people think longterm care means a nursing home,” he explained. “Well, not always. Most clients suffering age-related illness want to remain at home. This means home care and the cost to cover a health-care professional coming into their home.” Investment advisement can become tricky at this point. “An advisor needs to communicate clearly to make the client’s retirement plans stay on track,” Crisci emphasized. That’s why communication – and full disclosure – forms a big part of his firm’s strategy. “When we identify clients’ goals, we then guide them in protecting and even growing their assets,” he said. “They need a financial advisor who provides ongoing communication and transparent services.” Since Crisci’s business is part of the Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, which includes more than 1,200 independent advisors, it deploys the firm’s “Envision” process. This helps identify age-related issues involving illness and, yes – death. “With prospective clients, we use the planning tool even before we start talking about investments,” relates Crisci. One of “Envision’s” scenarios involves “what if?” “What if your spouse passes away first,” Crisci asks. “This needs to be considered, because typically one spouse handles the investments. We educate both spouses about investment goals. And what if the spouse with the pension passes away? That could make a huge difference in income. The surviving spouse must rely on the investment portfolio.” The Envision tool helps Crisci provide a higher level of service. Plus, his firm’s pricing is much more client friendly – a descriptor pointing to another important element of the Crisci approach: “I choose clients who are nice people. We become friends. That leads to better relationships.” And it’s simply good business sense. “It also leads to referrals, which is a key to building a business,” Crisci said. “Referrals indicate a good reputation.” 850 Park Shore Drive, Ste. 200 Naples,FL 34103 1-888-224-0792 1-239-919-8901 www.crisciprivatewealth.com THE SUIT MAGAZINE - NOV 2014
y peter suciu Beyond Accounting As the largest independently owned and operated CPA firms in western Massachusetts, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. works with clients to help them understand which financial metrics need to be improved to strengthen their credit-worthiness. In addition, it also has an excellent reputation with the local banks, which is very beneficial to those clients seeking funding for various business needs. In this way, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. offers services that go well beyond accounting, auditing, taxation and financial planning, providing all of its clients with a proactive business strategy. The firm, with roots in the Old Colony state, was the result of a merger of two respected firms, each dating back to the 1940s. For David A. Kalicka it is more than having his name on the door. He carries on a family tradition that began with his father. Today, the firm caters to financially strong family-owned businesses that are growing, as well as to businesses in the health care industry and not-forprofit organizations. “Our clients are seeking not only expertise in traditional accounting and tax services, but also an advisor who can think outside the box. We pride ourselves in bringing this business strategy to our clients,” Kalicka told The Suit Magazine. “Most new clients are in a position of financial strength – or at least stability – and are looking for advisors who can help them continue to prosper.” This includes dealing with the IRS, an agency he acknowledged that few Americans have ever held in high regard. While Kalicka said that he has never found any of their personnel to be abusive, he did agree that at the national level, it appears that certain personnel have not always acted appropriately – especially in issues that could be described as being politically motivated along partisan lines. “It is disturbing to think that politics could play a significant role in the administration of our tax system,” he said. The firm continues to offer services that can help clients deal with, and understand areas with excessive amounts of government regulatory oversight as well as the ever-increasing complexity of the tax laws. Providing guidance on tax and regulatory issues alone might not be able to truly solve those emerging issues plaguing many smaller businesses today, however.Kalicka noted, “There has been a significant loss of family-owned businesses in the retail sector to national chains, in the manufacturing sector to foreign companies and in the service sector to outsourcing.” Adding that while there were more negative impacts than positive impacts stemming from the downturn of 2008- 09, there appeared to be at least one silver lining that did come out of it. Kalicka emphasized, “The one positive was that businesses did learn that in order to survive they needed to get lean and mean, and reduce excessive overhead.” 330 Whitney Ave Suite 800 Holyoke, MA 01040-2876 Phone: (413) 536-8510 www.mbkcpa.com THE SUIT MAGAZINE p.63
- Page 13 and 14: estimates that around 90 percent of
- Page 15 and 16: or prospect just to say “hi” an
- Page 17 and 18: Arragg also sees the nation’s alr
- Page 19 and 20: As of Sept. 2014, NYC is now the wo
- Page 22 and 23: n HORMONE AVERTi HEALTHY BREAST PRO
- Page 24 and 25: Alternative medicine emerged as con
- Page 26 and 27: y amy m. armstrong Intensive Specia
- Page 28: y rich monetti NEVER MAKE the Same
- Page 31 and 32: product, sell it to the hospital an
- Page 33 and 34: y peter suciu Compliance is Key for
- Page 35: their needs are, but still require
- Page 38 and 39: y enid burns HELPING SMALL LENDERS
- Page 40 and 41: y amy m. armstrong Employee non-Com
- Page 42 and 43: y g. levin Health Agent says Everyo
- Page 46 and 47: y amy m. armstrong Providing More t
- Page 48 and 49: EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF LD AND ADHD
- Page 50 and 51: y rodric j. bradford Commitment to
- Page 52 and 53: y enid burns THE CORNERSTONES OF Ho
- Page 54 and 55: y mary minor davis Offsetting the T
- Page 57 and 58: y gerald h. levin Shifting Markets
- Page 59 and 60: the economic downturn of 2008-09. D
- Page 64 and 65: y judy scinyamagness EXPERT witness
- Page 66 and 67: y felix badea Familial Advice at An
- Page 68 and 69: y enid burns On a Mission to Create
- Page 71 and 72: y peter suciu GUIDING PEOPLE THROUG
- Page 73 and 74: Continuously striving to set new in
- Page 75 and 76: that obstacle a challenging one,”
- Page 77 and 78: y peter suciu GUIDING CLIENTS COMMU
- Page 79 and 80: “Retirement is not necessarily th
- Page 81 and 82: OUR MISSION AT BRIDGEWORTH IS TO PA
- Page 83 and 84: abuse did occur,” Arragg said.
- Page 85 and 86: explained Travis. “And then I rea
y dan harvey<br />
Thinking the UNTHINKABLE:<br />
envisioning “What Ifs?”<br />
Gary Crisci, AAMS,<br />
ADPA, CRPC, is<br />
one of the new breed<br />
of investment advisors:<br />
those who have<br />
moved away from<br />
large firms controlled<br />
by banks and in<strong>to</strong><br />
full-service independent practice. Crisci,<br />
who heads the Naples, Fla.-based<br />
Crisci Private Wealth Management,<br />
helps the average inves<strong>to</strong>r better comprehend<br />
the complexities of wealth<br />
management – such as asset growth<br />
and protection – and how the most appropriate<br />
investment strategies relate<br />
<strong>to</strong> their specific financial concerns and<br />
upcoming life passages.<br />
Often, this means confronting issues<br />
no one likes <strong>to</strong> consider.<br />
<strong>One</strong> of his firm’s main investment<br />
strategies is making sure that clients are<br />
as financially secure in retirement as<br />
they were during their working years.<br />
But age-related roadblocks can scuttle<br />
that security. People are living longer<br />
ever since 80 became the new 60, and<br />
that changed the game as far as cash<br />
flow, whether the client has $250,000 or<br />
$20 million.<br />
“Long-term care looms large, and<br />
that needs <strong>to</strong> be brought up early in the<br />
planning process,” says Crisci. Does the<br />
client have enough assets <strong>to</strong> self-insure<br />
for long-term care? Some do. For those<br />
who don’t, he explains long-term care<br />
insurance. “Many people think longterm<br />
care means a nursing home,” he<br />
explained. “Well, not always. Most clients<br />
suffering age-related illness want<br />
<strong>to</strong> remain at home. This means home<br />
care and the cost <strong>to</strong> cover a health-care<br />
professional coming in<strong>to</strong> their home.”<br />
Investment advisement can become<br />
tricky at this point. “An advisor needs<br />
<strong>to</strong> communicate clearly <strong>to</strong> make the client’s<br />
retirement plans stay on track,”<br />
Crisci emphasized.<br />
That’s why communication – and<br />
full disclosure – forms a big part of his<br />
firm’s strategy. “When we identify clients’<br />
goals, we then guide them in protecting<br />
and even growing their assets,”<br />
he said. “They need a financial advisor<br />
who provides ongoing communication<br />
and transparent services.”<br />
Since Crisci’s business is part of the<br />
Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network,<br />
which includes more than 1,200<br />
independent advisors, it deploys the<br />
firm’s “Envision” process. This helps<br />
identify age-related issues involving illness<br />
and, yes – death.<br />
“With prospective clients, we use<br />
the planning <strong>to</strong>ol even before we start<br />
talking about investments,” relates Crisci.<br />
<strong>One</strong> of “Envision’s” scenarios involves<br />
“what if?”<br />
“What if your spouse passes away<br />
first,” Crisci asks. “This needs <strong>to</strong> be considered,<br />
because typically one spouse<br />
handles the investments. We educate<br />
both spouses about investment goals.<br />
And what if the spouse with the pension<br />
passes away? That could make a<br />
huge difference in income. The surviving<br />
spouse must rely on the investment<br />
portfolio.”<br />
The Envision <strong>to</strong>ol helps Crisci provide<br />
a higher level of service. Plus, his firm’s<br />
pricing is much more client friendly – a<br />
descrip<strong>to</strong>r pointing <strong>to</strong> another important<br />
element of the Crisci approach: “I<br />
choose clients who are nice people. We<br />
become friends. That leads <strong>to</strong> better relationships.”<br />
And it’s simply good business sense.<br />
“It also leads <strong>to</strong> referrals, which is a key<br />
<strong>to</strong> building a business,” Crisci said. “Referrals<br />
indicate a good reputation.”<br />
850 Park Shore Drive, Ste. 200<br />
Naples,FL 34103<br />
1-888-224-0792 1-239-919-8901<br />
www.crisciprivatewealth.com<br />
THE SUIT MAGAZINE - NOV 2014
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