INSURANCE

Q: My wife is on oxygen that requires electricity to operate. I worry about what we would do if we lost power. Is there anything I can do to ease my concerns? A: Anyone who has a friend or family member who relies on a medical or life-support system for whom an interruption of service would be immediately life threatening should contact their electric utility provider. Electric utility companies in Northeast Ohio offer a Critical Customer Care Program. You will be asked to complete a form so you can be added to the power company’s critical care list. In the event of an outage, the power company works to restore electric service to customers on this list as soon as practical. In the event of an emergency, some electric utility companies may also provide this list to county and municipal Offices of Emergency Management for additional assistance. (Check to see if your company offers this service when you call.) There is no charge for the Critical Customer Care Program. It is important for all customers requiring electrically operated life-support equipment to have a contingency plan in place in the event of power outages. This should include a plan to move to a friend or family member’s home until power can be restored. It is also recommended that you obtain a backup power source, such as a generator or battery backup as the electric utility companies generally do not provide backup generators or batteries. It is also a good idea to prepare an emergency kit with a flashlight, extra batteries, battery powered radio, bottled water, cell phone power cell and car phone charger. First Energy utility companies are continuing to find ways to assist customers during the coronavirus pandemic. To help customers facing financial difficulties, they have suspended all service shutoffs for past-due accounts at this time. If you are having trouble paying your bill, you are encouraged to contact your electric utility company to make payment arrangements and learn whether you qualify for assistance. For more information on our Critical Customer Care Program, please call a Customer Service Representative at your FirstEnergy electric utility company: Ohio Edison: 1-800-633-4766 The Illuminating Company: 1-800589-3101 Toledo Edison: 1-800447-3333. Do you have questions on life, health, Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Supplements? Call or email me. I will help you find a plan that works for you. My email is Lmutsko@mutskoinsurance.com or call 440-255-5700. Laura Mutsko Mutsko Insurance Services, LLC 6982 Spinach Drive, Mentor, OH 44060 440-255-5700 www.mutskoinsurance.com