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Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
Trying to pick a health insurance plan can be a chore for anyone. For many people, just mentioning the word "open enrollment" sends shivers down the spine. It seems like there's always a nagging feeling that you're wasting money, choosing a plan with poor in-network care, or both. One would think that health insurance gets easier as you approach retirement age, but the truth is that picking an initial Medicare coverage plan can be daunting.
Unfortunately, the confusing process of signing up for Medicare causes many seniors to forego healthcare coverage altogether. After all, Medicare enrollment can involve several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (or SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS).
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, our passion is guiding seniors through the confusion of Medicare. That way, they can enjoy retirement with peace of mind knowing they are protected and ready for life after 65. We work with dozens of insurance companies, giving our clients the chance to choose a plan that best fits their lifestyle.
We choose to design our senior insurance plans with a focus on optimal benefits structure, lower costs, and personalized service. Some independent insurance agencies see their aging customers as nothing more than a financial transaction waiting to happen. In contrast, we treat each of our clients with respect and dignity as we help them navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. Combined with individualized service, we help older Americans make well-informed decisions about insurance. Whether you're in need of senior Medicare Supplement Plan insurance in Charleston or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.
Service Areas
What is Medicare?
If you're approaching the golden years of your life, it's important you understand what Medicare is if you don't already.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program reserved for people older than 65 who have worked full-time for at least ten years. The Medicare program is paid for by a combination of worker payroll tax, premiums paid by Medicare enrollees, and the U.S. government.
There are four parts of Medicare:
This type of Medicare is free for most U.S. citizens. Medicare Part A helps older adults pay for care in a nursing facility, hospital visits, and some forms of in-home senior care.
This tier costs around $100 per month. It covers different outpatient services like lab tests, preventative care, doctor's visits, mental health care, clinical trials, and some forms of surgery.
This type of Medicare is most often called Medicare Advantage. This tier of Medicare allows seniors to choose health plans provided by insurance companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Individuals who use Medicare Advantage commonly use Medicare supplement plan insurance to help pay for health care costs that Original Medicare won't cover, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.
Sometimes called "PDPs," these plans add drug coverage to standard Medicare, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), some Medicare Cost Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA).
The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including:
- What kind of care you need, and how often it is needed.
- The type of Medicare coverage you choose.
- Whether there are alternative insurance policies that will help fill gaps in your coverage
- Whether a doctor agrees to charge you the same amount that Medicare will cover for a medical service
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, we offer a number of health insurance solutions for seniors. Two of our most used services include Medicare Advantage plan insurance and Medicare supplement plan insurance.
Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Charleston
Sometimes called Medigap, the purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to help fill in "gaps" that might not be covered by Original Medicare. You can think of a Medigap policy as a supplement for your Original Medicare benefits.
Private companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services sell this type of insurance right here in South Carolina. While Original Medicare will pay for much of the cost associated with health care services you need, it may not cover all of your expenses. Generally, Medigap policies do not cover costs stemming from eyeglasses, private-duty nurses, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care.
Depending on the Medicare Supplement Plan that you choose, it may cover out-of-the-country medical services when you travel abroad. Assuming you have Original Medicare coverage, your policy will cover its share of Medicare-approved health care costs. Once your Original Medicare coverage reaches its limit, your Medigap policy will pay its share of the fees.
Our Medigap policies are drafted to meet your specific needs, and can help cover remaining health care costs such as:
Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance
Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
To dispel some confusion, you should know that a Medigap policy is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan. The latter helps you receive Medicare benefits, while the former supplements the benefits you obtain through your Original Medicare plan. As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
- To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
- Payments on your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will be made to the private insurance company that you choose, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. These payments are made every month and are paid in addition to the monthly payment you make for Medicare Part B.
- If you are the holder of a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a senior Medicare Supplement Policy. If you plan on switching back to an Original Medicare plan, you may be able to purchase a Medigap policy.
- If you have health problems as you age, your standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to be renewable. So long as you pay your monthly premium, your insurance provider cannot cancel your policy.
- Medigap policies only cover one person. If you have a spouse or family member that would like coverage, they must purchase a separate policy.
- You may only buy a Senior Medicare Supplement Plan from an insurance agent that is licensed to sell them in your state. Senior Medicare Insurance Services has been licensed to sell Medigap policies in South Carolina for years. We have helped countless seniors get the Medicare coverage they need and continue to do so to this day.
- In the past, Medigap policies were able to cover costs related to prescription drugs. As of January 1st, 2006, prescription drug coverage is not available on Medicare Supplement Plans. The best way to get coverage for your prescription drugs is to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often called Part D. Contact our office today to learn more about paying premiums on Medigap and Medicare plans.
For many people, the best time to buy senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Charleston is during the 7 months Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts the day you turn 65 years old, so long as you hold Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B). Generally, during the enrollment period, you get more policy choices and better pricing. Once the enrollment period is over, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services today to determine if you qualify for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance in Charleston, SC
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a kind of Medicare health coverage designed to provide seniors with all their Part A and Part B Medicare benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will often include coverage of the following:
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Special Needs Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service
- Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations
In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans give seniors coverage for their prescription drug needs. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through Senior Medicare Insurance Services, your Medicare benefits are covered through your plan and will not be paid for by traditional Medicare.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Sometimes called "MA Plans" or "Part C," Medicare Advantage Plans are considered an "all in one" solution to Original Medicare. Senior Medicare Advantage Plans are only offered by private companies that are approved, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan are still on Medicare. However, these individuals enjoy bundled plans that give seniors the benefits of hospital insurance (Medicare Part A), medical insurance (Medicare Part B), and sometimes drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular because they cover all Medicare services and make life a little easier for seniors who have trouble understanding the nuances of Medicare.
When you contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services to choose your Medicare Advantage Plan, ask your agent about Medicare prescription drug coverage. Unless you already have drug coverage (Part D), you should seriously consider Part D coverage to help reduce costs associated with prescription drugs. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan to help fill gaps in coverage that Original Medicare will not cover.
Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
Medicare works by paying a set amount of money to the companies that offer senior Medicare Advantage Plan insurance in Charleston. That money is used to pay for the care services that you need. Because Medicare Advantage Plans are different, you should expect out-of-pocket costs to vary depending on the plan you choose.
Different plans have different rules for how you receive services, such as:
If you must go to facilities, suppliers, or doctors that belong to your Advantage Plan for non-urgent and non-emergency care.-
Whether you must get a referral to see a specialized doctor
Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow strict rules, which are set by Medicare and can change every year.
Paying for Your Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance
How much you pay for your Medicare Advantage Plan varies and depends on a few different factors. In most cases, if you need a kind of medical service, you will need to rely on the doctors and providers in your plan's service area and network to pay the lowest amounts. In some cases, if you choose to use a service outside of your plan's network of coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.
We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, how they work, what your options are, and how often you will have to pay out-of-pocket, if at all.
The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
Since our company was founded, we have led the insurance industry by providing our clients with the most valuable, helpful insurance solutions available. We are fully committed to our current and prospective clients by:
Choosing to focus on personalized, one-on-one service. When you work with our team, know that we will always design your health insurance plan with your best interests in mind.-
Listening to your specific needs. -
Responding to all inquiries and questions promptly and with a friendly attitude. -
Providing you with the best customer service in the senior health insurance industry, whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with a Medicare plan.
Our mission is to help give seniors the best Medicare assistance available so that they may understand the Medicare process and make an informed health coverage decision. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to assist anyone interested in Medicare. Our personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for our clients and give them greater confidence in choosing their insurance plans.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 82 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Latest News in Charleston, SC
‘So terrified for his safety’: Charleston family searching for answers after man disappears while vacationing in Mexico
Walker Simmonshttps://www.counton2.com/news/local-news/so-terrified-for-his-safety-charleston-family-searching-for-answers-after-man-disappears-while-vacationing-in-mexico/
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- A family is searching for answers after a Charleston man went missing while on vacation in Mexico earlier this week.Savannah Miller said her father Edmond Bradley Solomon III, 66, was recently diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a type of degenerative disorder that affects a person’s behavior, rather than memory.“He sometimes says odd things and behaves erratically — or oddly — because he’s just doing what he knows how to do,” Miller explained. “He can&rsquo...
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- A family is searching for answers after a Charleston man went missing while on vacation in Mexico earlier this week.
Savannah Miller said her father Edmond Bradley Solomon III, 66, was recently diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a type of degenerative disorder that affects a person’s behavior, rather than memory.
“He sometimes says odd things and behaves erratically — or oddly — because he’s just doing what he knows how to do,” Miller explained. “He can’t process the same way you or I can.”
Solomon recently embarked on a Caribbean cruise with his wife, Mimi, and other family members. But, the trip soon took a distressing turn after he disappeared during one of their stops in Cozumel, Mexico.
Miller said the couple got off the ship early Wednesday afternoon to use the restrooms before leaving the terminal.
“When my stepmom, Mimi, came out, he wasn’t there,” Miller said. “She thought he might still be in the bathroom so she waited for him for a few minutes. He didn’t come out.”
Another family member went into the restroom to check on Solomon, but he was not there.
“That was the point that we knew he was lost,” Miller said. “We know that no matter where he was he would have difficulty understanding what was going on and communicating his needs due to his dementia. I think everyone just immediately became so terrified for his safety.”
The next morning, Miller said she received a call that her father was missing.
“I got the call about 5:30 in the morning and I just froze,” she said. “I didn’t even know how to process this information.”
Local authorities said Solomon was last seen along the road of Isla de la Pasión in Cozumel on Wednesday evening. He was wearing a white t-shirt, grey shorts, and dark sunglasses.
Solomon grew up in West Ashley and has spent his professional career working as a critical care nurse at Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in downtown Charleston, according to Miller. He is also an avid surfer and fisherman, although they said his condition has limited his ability.
“He liked to be with the people that he loved…he was always making sure that we were safe and we were cared for no matter who it was,” Miller said. “He’s always been a fixer and someone who’s just drawn to helping other people.”
Miller is now pleading for the community to return the favor and help her family find their loved one.
“I think it’s important to recognize how much time he’s put into helping others and it’s time to give back,” she said. “I think the best thing that anyone can do is just spread the word. Start yelling and screaming. Elevate it as much as possible so that there is awareness and so everyone on the island is looking for him.”
Solomon’s wife has remained in Mexico while the search continues. Miller and other family members will join her this weekend. A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with travel expenses.
“I’m really looking forward to having Mimi by my side and being able to give my dad a hug again,” Miller said.
The family has been in contact with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and the U.S. Consulate.
In a statement to News 2, a spokesperson for the FBI Columbia field office said they are aware of the missing person report but cannot comment at this time. The agency referred questions to the State Department.
Coastal Conservation League advocating for the passing of two state bills
Autumn Kleinhttps://www.live5news.com/2024/04/11/coastal-conservation-league-advocating-passing-two-state-bills/
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Two complimentary bills at the statehouse right now aim to protect our waterways and provide more transparency to people out on the water.These two bills would impact boaters, swimmers and fishermen on our rivers. Some Lowcountry organizations believe this would have a huge impact on our area and are pushing for these bills to pass.House Bill 4958 and ...
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Two complimentary bills at the statehouse right now aim to protect our waterways and provide more transparency to people out on the water.
These two bills would impact boaters, swimmers and fishermen on our rivers. Some Lowcountry organizations believe this would have a huge impact on our area and are pushing for these bills to pass.
House Bill 4958 and Senate Bill 999 are about the pipes that discharge into the rivers. While these drainage pipes are permitted, local organizations find that when people run into them on the water, it raises concerns about whether they are safe or not.
These two bills would require any entity with a permit to empty contents into our rivers to post a legible sign to inform people of the outfall. This would be a basic sign including the owner of the outfall and a phone number to call. These outfalls are a part of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System, a federal program run by the state. The contents are permitted, treated and completely legal, but not something the general public is typically aware of.
Land, Water and Wildlife Program Director Riley Egger said these signs would provide transparency and inform people on the water of what the outfall is and a direct contact line for when something goes wrong. She said that this is a step that would help protect our waterways and it just needs a little bit of a push to make it happen. Egger said that many other states - like Tennessee and Georgia - already did this in the 90s and early 2000s. She said that this will not add any restrictions or limits to the discharges, it will simply allow the public to make informed decisions and feel safer on the water.
“When you don’t know what an NPDES discharge is, seeing just an outfall or something bubbling up or something discharging into the river that can be kind of scary. And so for folks knowing that this is this is actually permitted and this is covered by DHEC and there are safeguards in place. So I know that our friends at the Charleston Waterkeeper and Congaree Riverkeeper, they get calls constantly from people wondering what an outfall is. And so this will allow people in real time to have that information,” Egger said.
The bills were introduced earlier this year and were referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.
They are currently sitting in committee. Egger said she believes this is very simple but can greatly benefit water users in our area.
“We are really advocating for these bills because we are for the transparency of our waterways. Discharging into our rivers is a privilege not a right. And so, the companies and manufacturers that are discharging it owe it to the public to provide a little bit more transparency so they can make informed decisions,” she said.
Egger believes that the people have a right to know what these pipes are, so they can and decide if they want to swim, fish or kayak in that area.
“It’s going to allow people to feel more ownership of the rivers and to be able to know when they’re fishing or their kayaking, ‘Hey, I know what that is. And I know the company that is that outfall belongs to.’ And so it’s really just going to empower transparency and empower folks to make decisions what’s best for them and their families,” she said.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Thai pop-up from former Xiao Bao chef brings the heat to Colectivo on Monday nights
Parker Milner pmilner@postandcourier.comhttps://www.postandcourier.com/food/charleston-restaurants-pop-ups-colectivo-gingerbug/article_1eef1e7e-f37b-11ee-9bfd-83b537260bc7.html
Pop-Up Picks is a recurring series in The Post and Courier’s Food Section that previews an upcoming pop-up breakfast, lunch or dinner and the chefs behind it.You might have heard of Colectivo, the Johns Island restaurant pairing traditional Mexic...
Pop-Up Picks is a recurring series in The Post and Courier’s Food Section that previews an upcoming pop-up breakfast, lunch or dinner and the chefs behind it.
You might have heard of Colectivo, the Johns Island restaurant pairing traditional Mexican dishes with creative chef-inspired spins.
Led by chef Alex Yellan, Colectivo is open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday, but it’s worth swinging by on a Monday.
That’s when, starting at 4 p.m., Yellan’s former Xiao Bao Biscuit colleague Jamey Fairchild transforms the space into Gingerbug, a pop-up inspired by Thailand.
On those nights, the space looks the same, save for the Thai cooking shows playing on Colectivo’s two televisions and a few decorations, including a makrut tree pulled in and placed next to the bar.
Strands of the fragrant lime leaves poking out of the tree’s branches garnish Gingerbug’s grilled shrimp, which are laced in lemongrass, chili paste and galangal, and simmered in coconut cream. Served in a small bowl, the saucy shrimp can be spooned into a lettuce or endive cup, creating a wrap with a mouth-tingling spice cooled by a slice of mango.
Gingerbug’s menu changes monthly, sometimes weekly. Recent items have included barbecued lamb belly, dry-aged beef sausage with a sizzling-hot papaya salad, spiced duck leg curry and curried mushrooms with coconut sticky rice.
Fairchild’s use of Thai spices, such as the white and black peppercorn and lemon coriander crusting the fried ribs, awaken the palate, making you reach for another bite well after you’re full.
“I’ve never had a cuisine where the flavors are so big,” Fairchild said of the Thai food that drives his cooking. “That’s the most craveable food for me … big flavor food and a bit intense.”
Yes, the food at Gingerbug is delicious. Yes, you can only get it one night a week. There’s a reason for the pop-up's light schedule.
Fairchild, who launched Gingerbug with Colectivo co-owner Chad Dennis in 2019, wanted to spend more time with his two daughters. He knew he couldn’t do so while working long hours in restaurant kitchens.
“I think I just woke up one day and was like, ‘I really want to be there for my daughters' lives as they grow up,’ ” Fairchild said.
Gingerbug has given the chef the platform to cook the food he loves. He credits his team, which includes sous chef Matt Horton and manager Hannah Shook, and Colectivo for helping Gingerbug see a strong showing of guests each Monday evening.
“They’ve put together an amazing space,” Fairchild said of Colectivo. “I’m very grateful to be a part of it, but I’m also such a small part of it.”
Gingerbug is open from 4-9 p.m. (or sold out) on Mondays. For more information, follow Gingerbug on Instagram @gingerbugchs.
Community forum addresses the pitfalls of domestic violence in South Carolina
Meredith Blairhttps://www.live5news.com/2024/04/10/community-forum-addresses-pitfalls-domestic-violence-south-carolina/
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - People with different backgrounds but one common goal are coming together to talk about a sensitive subject, domestic violence.Advocates, solicitors and survivors collaborated at the Teddie E. Pryor Social Services Building in North Charleston on Wednesday to discuss how to ensure domestic violence victims in South Carolina are safe.The pitfalls of domestic violence in the Palmetto State were addressed, one being that the Tri-County area currently does not have a shelter for domestic violence vic...
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - People with different backgrounds but one common goal are coming together to talk about a sensitive subject, domestic violence.
Advocates, solicitors and survivors collaborated at the Teddie E. Pryor Social Services Building in North Charleston on Wednesday to discuss how to ensure domestic violence victims in South Carolina are safe.
The pitfalls of domestic violence in the Palmetto State were addressed, one being that the Tri-County area currently does not have a shelter for domestic violence victims after My Sister’s House closed in 2022. They still provide victims with resources and hotel stays, but attendees at Wednesday’s community forum pointed out that a shelter is a better option for some victims.
Additional law enforcement education on domestic violence was also discussed, as some survivors said officers didn’t handle their situation appropriately. Founder of Palmetto Hope Network Butch Kennedy believes the mentality of law enforcement has to change.
“Everybody needs to be on the same page when it comes to victims of domestic violence,” Kennedy said. “It’s an important thing. Just think about it being your daughter or your mother, you just want the best for people and that’s what we want, that’s why we’re here.”
Assistant Solicitor for the 9th Circuit Solicitors Office in Charleston County attended the forum because she recognized the gaps that are in the local system. Baldwin shared what it meant to see survivors whose cases she worked on.
“When I run into people like Chantelle who I prosecuted her abuser years and years ago, and I see that she’s thriving and is involved in bringing attention to this issue, it really warms my heart,” Baldwin said.
Chantelle Mitchell is a domestic violence survivor and she’s calling for education and solutions.
“I understand how it feels to be in that bubble and you don’t know who to talk to or who to turn to,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell stressed the importance of shelters for victims.
“Victims don’t really leave because they don’t have a place to go, and if it’s just temporary for 30 or 60 days, that’s not enough time for someone to get on their feet, so they end up right back into the home that is unsafe for them and their children,” Mitchell said
One advocate said without collaboration, no one can move forward, and that’s where things stand now.
“We’re not putting the victim first and as I’ve said many times, there are more than enough victims to go around,” Elmire Raven said. “We need to work towards provided the best service possible for victims.”
Mitchell said she must continue to share her story for her brothers and sisters who have been permanently silenced.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
SLED confirms investigation into SC State Rep. Pendarvis
Steven Ardaryhttps://www.live5news.com/2024/04/12/sled-confirms-investigation-into-sc-state-rep-pendarvis/
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed on Friday they are investigating State Rep. Marvin Pendarvis.The investigation into Pendarvis came at the request of the First Circuit Solicitor’s Office, SLED spokesperson Renee Wunderlich said.Details of the investigation were not immediately made available.The announcement of the investigation comes one day ...
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed on Friday they are investigating State Rep. Marvin Pendarvis.
The investigation into Pendarvis came at the request of the First Circuit Solicitor’s Office, SLED spokesperson Renee Wunderlich said.
Details of the investigation were not immediately made available.
The announcement of the investigation comes one day after a lawsuit filed against Pendarvis and his law firm, Pendarvis Law, LLC, alleged Pendarvis witnessed the forgery of a client’s signature and agreed to a settlement without his client’s knowledge.
Court documents state Adrian Lewis had retained Pendarvis’s counsel after he was accused of kidnapping his daughter by the child’s mother in 2021.
Lewis’s attorneys said the child’s mother called the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office while the child was with Lewis on Isle of Palms.
Court documents state Lewis received a phone call from deputies and returned home with his child and was arrested.
Attorneys for Lewis accuse Pendarvis of inflating the potential recovery in the case to an amount above the South Carolina Tort Claims Act.
Lewis’s lawyers Eric Bland and Ronnie Richter allege Pendarvis agreed to settle the case with the sheriff’s office without Lewis’s knowledge or consent.
Despite telling Lewis the case was worth up to $325,000 it was settled for $10,000 and Lewis’s signature was forged on the documents, court documents state.
Bland and Richter claim Lewis was given two checks one for $5,000 in December 2023 and another for $1,667 in March 2024 and assured Lewis that more money was coming. However, Lewis would find out that the case was settled for $10,000 and the $6,667 given to him by Pendarvis would represent the settlement minus the 33% fee to the law firm.
Documents filed with the suit show a series of text messages from March allegedly between Lewis and Pendarvis where Lewis says he’ll sue Pendarvis.
In the messages, Lewis tells Pendarvis he has the documents to show the case was settled for “10k” and said he would sue.
“How much you need the check for? Answer the question man,” Pendarvis said. “How Much?”
“U done,” Lewis said.
Pendarvis then asks Lewis to call him and he says no.
“I’ve always come thru for you on anything you need man,” Pendarvis said. “Let’s handle this s---. No need to try and hurt me man. I can help you. Please brother.”
Court documents state Pendarvis visited Lewis’s home around 8:30 a.m. on April 2, 2024, and said he had $50,000 in cash in a black bag to give him and could give him another $25,000. Pendarvis allegedly told Lewis he would write a check to pay for Lewis’s mortgage if Lewis did not sue him.
Lewis refused the offer, Bland and Richter said.
Court documents state Pendarvis met Lewis on April 4 and gave him another check for $15,000 post-dated for April 9.
Bland and Richter said the rules of professional conduct are not a sliding scale, and that Lewis is courageous for bringing these claims forward.
“The type of conduct here that is dangerous is the allegations and the complaint of harnessing and invading your escrow account to pacify a client, and that escrow account may contain funds that don’t only belong to the client, but they belong to others,” Bland said. “You also have to be truthful with your client. The clients are entitled to accurate information so that they can be informed to make decisions in their case.”
The lawsuit seeks damages for Lewis’s financial losses, emotional distress, and punitive damages.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
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