LifestylePubs.com/Leesburg
SEPTEMBER 2019
STYLE & FASHION
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LIFESTYLE LETTER
SEPTEMBER 2019 PUBLISHER
Hann Livingston | hann.livingston@LifestylePubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Melinda Gipson | melinda.gipson@LifestylePubs.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Michelle Lindsay, Sean O’Rourke
Welcome to Leesburg Life-'Style' I’VE ALWAYS BEEN PARTIAL TO SEPTEMBER BECAUSE MY BIRTHDAY IS ON “LABOR DAY.” Yeah, I know—old joke! But in truth, it’s always marked a time of re-evaluation and new beginnings—new school, new job, new home, new health insurance plan—all are characteristic of fall, along with new fall fashions to enjoy! What’s the key to normalcy amid change? We submit that it is being your “authentic self” and finding creative ways to infuse your own personal style into your surroundings, whether humble or exalted. This month, we examine what puts the “style” in “lifestyle.” New fashions and accessories from Ketterman’s and Madisonbelle are de rigueur. If you’ve only known Ketterman’s Jewelers as a place to go for an engagement ring or to monogram a graduation present, you’ve missed this local icon’s complete metamorphosis into a clothing, accessories, shoes, gifts and (oh, yes) jewelry boutique. What excites us most is Ketterman’s daughters' assertion that the best new “rule” in fashion is to have fun and wear what you love! Julie and Lori of J&L Interiors carry this theme into the home they’ve completely
CORPORATE TEAM
renovated in downtown Leesburg. A close look at all that they did to transform
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
an eyesore into “livable luxury” will help explain why they’ve been the talk of the neighborhood on South King Street.
CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore
If you do find yourself reframing and refreshing your style this month, don’t
ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor
forget that others tackling transformation are only too happy to help you make
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson
room in your closet! The exceptional work of Women Giving Back is a call to us all to display the qualities of the “virtuous woman” in Proverbs 31. (Check it out! It’s a good read, and it was written to sons.) She shares with the poor and, in the process, teaches her daughters both compassion and the value
EDITORIAL MANAGER Nicolette Martin AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell
of hard work. What a joy it was to meet young teenage girls excited to help style wardrobes for homeless women and their kids! The opportunities we give our kids to serve could just be the best bulwark against today’s stereotypical “mean girls” persona. After all, what “clothes us in dignity” if not our character? Please use this most incredible month to dive into local arts, music, fashion and festivities. As those of us ancient enough to remember Woodstock recall, even dancing in the rain can be wonderful to the right soundtrack.
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LifestylePubs.com/Leesburg ON THE COVER Richie Ketterman Norman PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE LINDSAY 4
Leesburg Lifestyle | September 2019
Proverbs 3:5-6 Leesburg Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Leesburg areas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Leesburg Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.
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INSIDE THE ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2019
FEATURES 08 Clothed in Dignity Women Giving Back Offers Women Style and Confidence
14 Styles for the 'Curvy Girl' Being Fashionable is All About Authenticity
18 Ketterman's Eclectic Ensembles ‘Always’ Something Special
18 14
28 Creating a 'Signature' Home Julie and Lori Delight when it's Right
08
28 DEPARTMENTS 4
Lifestyle Letter
8
Giving Back
14
Trend Setter
24 Back Stage 28 Open House 34 Financial Buzz
GIVING BACK ARTICLE MELINDA GIPSON | PHOTOGRAPHY MICHELLE LINDSAY
CLOTHED IN DIGNITY WOMEN GIVING BACK OFFERS WOMEN STYLE AND CONFIDENCE
ONE SATURDAY, LISA GERACI RIGONI AND HER DAUGHTER, MARINNA, WERE HELPING OUT AT WOMEN GIVING BACK’S STERLING BOUTIQUE—A WAREHOUSE FULL OF CLOTHES, SHOES AND ACCESSORIES INGENUOUSLY DISPLAYED AS IN AN EVERY-DAY DISCOUNT DEPARTMENT STORE. (Clothes are available to women and children at no cost but only via referral from agencies serving the needy.) “Marinna got very excited because she saw a friend of hers from her class in line,” Lisa says. “When they got to the front, the girls gave each other a big hug.” Lisa and the mom glanced at each other cautiously; they knew why the pair had come, though the girls were oblivious. The daughter needed a winter coat. “Marinna chirped, ‘I know where they are; can I take her?’ so I said, ‘Yes,’ and they bounced off. From that point on,” Lisa says, “I knew I was 100% committed to Women Giving Back. The items we donate don’t go to nameless, faceless people. They are women from our own community. On Tuesday, I was teaching this little girl her firstgrade math, and Saturday she was there with her mom for a coat.” It’s a story told and retold hundreds of times in any given month. WGB’s executive director, Nicole Morris, says more than 9,000 women and children were served with quality clothing from WGB working with more than 200 homeless, faith-based and even law enforcement organizations. Referrals from the latter are on the rise due to the emergence of human trafficking as a local issue. The Loudoun public school system says 2,500 of CONTINUED >
8
Leesburg Lifestyle | September 2019
Right: Lindsay Fox, 13, WGB's inaugural youth volunteer of the year
September 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
9
GIVING BACK
(CON TI N U ED)
INSIDE THE DOOR OF WOMEN GIVING BACK’S STERLING BOUTIQUE IS A SIGN QUOTING PROVERBS 31:25. “SHE IS CLOTHED IN STRENGTH AND DIGNITY.” IT’S WHY WGB VOLUNTEERS SAY WHAT THEY OFFER ISN’ T SO MUCH CLOTHES AS CONFIDENCE. the county’s students are homeless. WGB
might see families that have been separated
also helps during humanitarian crises,
because one of their members got deported,
shipping clothes to Haiti after the hurri-
and they were the only breadwinner of the
cane and to Jordan for Syrian refugees.
house. A lot of times, it is domestic violence
In the face of all that need, local women have opened their hearts and closets. Even
victims who may have fled their homes with the clothes on their back.”
by IRS standards, WGB’s boutique houses $2
Nicole says that women sometimes
million in inventory. More importantly, Nicole
drive up to the store and sit in their car cry-
says, “It’s quality clothing—some with designer
ing, unable to get out. “But when they come
labels and many still bearing new tags!”
in and are treated with so much respect,
Every photo taken for this article fea-
they tell us it was completely different than
tures clothes, shoes, jewelry, scarves
what they were expecting. It brings a little bit
and purses all literally plucked “off the
of normalcy back into their lives when they
rack” by their wearers the morning of our
get to come and shop here.”
impromptu fashion show.
Adding to the aura of a true retail experience,
Teen volunteers exercise both compassion
Bombas just donated 1,500 pairs of new socks
and fashion sense in helping to style WGB
from a special line made with the homeless
clients and work alongside workforce profes-
community in mind that is odor resistant, stays
sionals who help women “dress for success”
drier and doesn’t have to be washed as often.
and that all-important job interview. There’s
California retailer Isabelle ships maternity
even a standing volunteer job description
clothes whenever they run low. Hue supplies
for “personal shopper,” something 13-year-
socks, leggings and accessories. T.J. Maxx
old Lindsay Fox says she enjoys way more
donates seasonal items like Halloween cos-
than sorting clothes. She likes helping peo-
tumes and backpacks on top of funding from
ple look and feel good in what they wear. And
the TJX Foundation. Still in short supply is new
that, as it turns out, is WGB’s true “value add”
underwear, so finding retail partners to help
for women in need: the care and concern
with those, cosmetics, toiletries and feminine
with which they’re treated.
hygiene products would be a boon.
Inside the door of Women Giving Back’s
As Nicole pauses to try to think of any
Sterling boutique is a sign quoting Proverbs
other ongoing needs, she’s a little trans-
31:25. “She is clothed in strength and dig-
ported by giggles and exclamations over
nity.” It’s why WGB volunteers say what they
each model’s next outfit as volunteers pre-
offer isn’t so much clothes as confidence.
pare for their moment in the spotlight.
The major effect of life’s setbacks to
“Normally when women come here for
women often is the blow their confidence
the first time, they gravitate towards the
takes in having to ask for help, even though
purses because every woman wants a
a reversal of fortune can happen to anyone.
nice purse,” she says. “When they find a
“We have seen people who have had a
designer bag, they just beam. I was wrap-
health issue, and they get backed up on bills
ping up a Coach purse for a lady who said,
and lose their house. We’ve seen one-in-
‘No, no. I’m going to carry that out!’ It is so
come households that lose their job. We
much fun to see them so happy.”
10
Leesburg Lifestyle | September 2019
The executive director, Nicole Morris
Left: Lisa Geraci Rigoni, a volunteer and board member for the better part of a decade
Below: Hunner Rezek, program and volunteer coordinator
Above: Marinna Rigoni, 16, has been donating her clothes since she was 7 years old.
Left: Olivia Edwards, 16, volunteered with Girl Scouts and now with WGB.
September 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
11
TREND SETTER
Styles for the 'Curvy Girl' ARTICLE MELINDA GIPSON | PHOTOGRAPHY MICHELLE LINDSAY
#1
#2 Dress: Current Air / Necklace: Ella Rae / Earrings: Daisy Manhattan / Bag: Hammitt Small Dylan Crossbody Bag / Shoes: Andia Fora Italian Sneakers
14
Leesburg Lifestyle | September 2019
Jacket: Hudson Classic Trucker Jean Jacket / Jeans: DL 1961 Coco Jeans / Tee: Zadig & Voltaire / Earrings: Chan Luu / Bag: Zadig & Voltaire Clutch
BEING FASHIONABLE IS ALL ABOUT AUTHENTICITY
SHELLEY
SCHEERSCHMIDT,
OWNER
OF
MADISONBELLE IN LEESBURG (MADISONBELLE. COM), IS EXPANDING HER RANGE THIS FALL TO INCLUDE MORE "CURVY GIRLS" WHO OFTEN STRUGGLE TO FIND FASHIONABLE CLOTHES THAT FIT. We asked her how to select styles that com-
#3
pliment curves. (Look for her styling at the Business Women of Loudoun Fashion Show at Belmont Dress: Bailey 44 / Necklace and Earrings: Tat2 Designs / Bracelets: Onyx & Oak and Shana Gulati
Country Club Sept. 17. Visit LoudounChamber.org/ Events/BWOL-12th-Annual-Fashion-Show.)
clothes that represent #1 Wear who you are. Are you Sporty? Classic? Creative? Bold? You’ll be most confident showing up as your authentic self.
your best features and #2 Love show them off. Do you have awesome legs, hips or curves? Attract attention to your favorite areas by using color, pattern, textures and fabric details. Wear your eye color or a colorful scarf to show off your face.
#3 Feel
good in what fits!
Wear clothes that fit your shape and show your waist! Over-sized clothing makes women appear boxy and larger than they are. A soft tuck for a blouse shows off amazing curves. Model: Sharar Payne Makeup: Be Beauty September 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
15
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Leesburg Lifestyle | September 2019
[ ketterman’s eclectic ensembles ]
ARTICLE MELINDA GIPSON | PHOTOGRAPHY MICHELLE LINDSAY
'ALWAYS' SOMETHING SPECIAL
18
Leesburg Lifestyle | September 2019
Richi Ketterman Norman sports clothes from Canadian designer Joseph Ribikoff and an assortment of classic and casual jewelry.
“OOOH, I JUST LOVE HOW THESE JEANS MAKE ME FEEL,” SAYS RICHLYN (RICHI) KETTERMAN NORMAN ABOUT A FASHIONABLY FRAYED PAIR OF JEANS PATCHED WITH ROYAL BLUE SEQUINS THAT SHE SLIPS INTO FOR OUR STYLE PHOTO SHOOT. She and her younger sister, Katelyn (Katie) Ketterman Cockerill and employees Jenna DeBow and Austin Whiting, clearly adore the looks they’ve selected as backdrop to spotlight some of their family business’ bling. They’re all flashing grins—even in a steamy studio where the AC strains to keep up with a record heat-wave. Michelle’s
studio
is
overflowing
with
outfits
they’ve
brought from Ketterman’s meticulously curated clothes, purses, belts and shoes. The display is sprinkled liberally with sparkling necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings, and Richi’s son, Reese, adds his latest litter of Australian shepherd puppies to create a microcosm of the store itself. Ketterman’s is exactly what it appears to be—a dog-friendly, eclectic emporium chock-full of the family’s very favorite things. “I guess you could call it a department store,” Richi says, “[but] it kind of defies description.” They see Ketterman’s like an extension of their home, a place they’d like their customers to come to commemorate a memory, celebrate a milestone, seal a lifelong journey or affirm an accomplishment. “We use the phrase ‘Ketterman’s Always’ as a kind of motto for what we mean by that.” Richi looks forward to moving to a new store in January (known locally as the former home to Southern States) because it will add an extra 1,000 square feet of display space to better reveal the many categories of gifts, cards and adornments the store offers. She also hints of a new athleisure line to be called “Always LoCo.” Though she wouldn’t call Ketterman’s “trendy,” the store’s “always” eclectic approach to style is currently all the rage. “There are no more rules in jewelry,” Richi says. “You can mix the old and the new. You can mix shapes and colors, metals and media, and pair items that are really fancy with other pieces that are more whimsical.” Jewelry should invite comment or a question, offering the wearer a chance to express herself or himself. Customization is also fashionable. “You can personalize your jewelry or even make your own, which is why we have our custom design shop,” Richi says. “We can take pieces you have and make them into something that is new for you or take something from a pencil sketch, carve the wax and cast it. Designer lines like Waxing Poetic have components to mix and match. Customization means you can wear something you love every day, like the bracelet I wear that has [charms for] my two kids and my dog on it.” Engraving adds a final, personalized touch. CONTINUED >
Katie Ketterman Cockerill specializes in custom jewelry design and production. September 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
19
KETTERMAN’S ECLECTIC ENSEMBLES
(CON TI N UED)
Jenna, Austin, Richi and Katie with 'Reese's peanut butter pups'
Jenna DeBow layers a cool watch with mixed-metal bracelets and cradles a furry surprise in this great Brighton bag
20
Leesburg Lifestyle | September 2019
In urban fashion, jewelry for men
He calls them “Reese’s peanut butter
is on the rise, so Austin is on-hand to
pups,” and they are each a sweet, softly
show us how it’s done.
brindled bundle of love. The current lit-
“We have some new lines like William Henry that appeal to a younger male
ter was named after Apollo astronauts, “Collins” being everyone’s favorite.
crowd. Men are stacking bracelets and
If you stop by the store, you may see
layering necklaces. William Henry uses
pups frolicking in the windows wearing
materials like dinosaur bone, mammoth
something shiny. If you buy some-
tusk and fossils that have a nice mas-
thing on the first of the month, 10% of
culine feel to them.”
your purchase will fund a local charity
They are more likely to see young
through a program the family calls
men when they’re buying an engage-
“First Fruits Ministries.” (Learn more at
ment ring or a wedding band—here,
Kettermans.com/Events.) Throughout
again, more often customized than
the last 20 years, the practice has
in years past. Watches, belts and ties
put $100,000 back into their community.
top of the usual gifts for grads, always
“We are just incredibly blessed,”
accompanied by a card.
Richi says. “We don’t know what we
The latter is the ultimate compli-
are doing right, but we think it’s really
ment to the family tradition because
important to give back, take care of
the Ketterman grandparents who
your customers and do everything
started the business began with a line
you’re doing as unto the Lord, and
of greeting cards. Three generations
that’s what we do. We are trying to
have been raised to appreciate hard
be the best we can every day.” And
work and animal husbandry stem-
there, again, is that smile.
ming from the family’s farming roots. a
Note: All women’s apparel is by designer
farm, Reese’s furry college fund is made
Since
they
don’t
live
on
Joseph Ribkoff, and footwear and purses
up of adorable Australian shepherds.
are by Brighton.
Austin Whiting rocks a custom-made necklace and layered bracelets, not to mention those diamond studs. September 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
21
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Leesburg Lifestyle | September 2019
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BACK STAGE
ARTICLE MELINDA GIPTON
BENEFIT BANDS AMP AWARENESS Ara Bagdasarian and Frayed Knots at BENEFIT's Inaugural Showcase
24
Leesburg Lifestyle | September 2019
AMY BOBCHEK’S DAY JOB IS IN ADVERTISING. But when her client, a bassist, asked her to sit in on a session with his band that needed a female vocalist, she couldn’t resist. “It’s not anything I ever expected to
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be able to do, but I did have a fantasy to
southridingdds.com
play the role of a rock star.” It was one of those rare moments when saying yes could transform your life. Amy is now not only lead singer and keyboardist for the local cover band Big Bad Juju, but also co-founder of a coalition of local musicians and community leaders
Nothing
that annually hosts a music festival benefitting the area’s children in need. The
organization
is
aptly
called
BENEFIT—Bands Empowering Nonprofits through Engagement and Fundraising Imp roving Tomorrow. Members are required
Beats A Great
to play free at least once a year for a nonprofit event to “amp up” awareness for the area’s people in need. Their premier opportunity will be at the Crossroads
- Karl Urban
Music Festival, performed on six stages throughout downtown Leesburg the afternoon and evening of Sept. 21. BENEFIT co-founder Ara Bagdasarian of the band Frayed Knots says multiple stages will showcase up to 20 local bands and songwriters and serve as, “a platform to showcase some of the incredible original artists in our community.” Amy has lived in the area for 30 years but has seen the music scene explode in just the last five to seven years. “Check
out
Shaed, which
just
reached #1 on Billboard, or Car Seat
Let Us Create Your Dream Smile!
Headrest, which was named in the top five albums of 2016 by Rolling Stone," Ara says. "Todd Wright and HalfKing studios have been an incredible catalyst in developing and producing so many new emerging artists.” Check out the Crossroads Music Festival and learn how to unleash your inner rock star at Benefit.Live.
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Designing Beautiful Smiles For Over 20 Years September 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
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Leesburg Lifestyle | September 2019
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Blessed to be voted Loudoun’s Best Jeweler for over 20 years and Best Gift Store in 2019.
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27
OPEN HOUSE
ARTICLE MELINDA GIPSON | PHOTOGRAPHY SEAN O'ROURKE
Creating a 'Signature' Home JULIE AND LORI DELIGHT WHEN IT'S RIGHT
28
Leesburg Lifestyle | September 2019
AFTER
BUSINESS
Because they wanted to rip off the back
TOGETHER, LEARNING AND EMPLOY-
23
YEARS
IN
porch and install a two-story addition, it took
ING ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING THERE
a while for the town to approve their archi-
IS TO KNOW ABOUT RENOVATION AND
tectural drawings. They worked with architect
INTERIOR DESIGN, JULIE HOFFMANN
Tom Gilbride on the design of the addition,
AND LORI DUVAL OF J&L INTERIORS DID
which now includes a new family room, pow-
THE ONLY THING THEY COULD TO FULLY
der room, combination mudroom/laundry
DISPLAY THEIR CREATIVE CAPABILITIES.
room and master suite on the second floor.
They bought an old house downtown and set
Tom also helped them figure out how to raise
their sights on restoring it to its former glory.
the ceilings to 9 1/2 feet at their highest.
Flexing their trademark spontaneity, the
To get there, everything else in the interior
twins saw, considered and bought 427 S.
had to go. “We opened up all the walls, and
King St., originally constructed in 1902, in
went down to stud,” Julie says. “Lori and I
just two weeks 18 months ago. At the time, it
crawled underneath the house and installed
had a dilapidated rear porch, ugly asbestos
vapor barrier insulation ourselves.”
shingles and shutters, and a serious back-
“We put in all new electrical, all new
yard drainage problem. To the untrained
plumbing,” Lori chimes in. “We took the
eye, the property’s only redeeming qualities
furnace out of the kitchen and installed
might have been its solid wood banister, its
two HVAC units—one for the main level
heart pine wood floors, lovely stained-glass
and one for the upper level. We heated the
window adjacent the stairs and its location
floors in the master bathroom. We installed
in the heart of Leesburg.
high-end KitchenAid appliances. We put a
It still has the lovely little stained-glass window and now glossy wood banister,
custom closet system in the master suite and lay down luxury carpets.”
but the unassuming-looking home now
After discovering that “all of Leesburg seem-
boasts a wide-open floor plan, outdoor
ingly drained into our backyard,” the sisters
sunken
finishing
installed a sunken patio with a boulder wall and
touches that combine to make it one of the
patio
and
luxurious
flagstone steps for rustic beauty with a French
women’s proudest achievements.
drain to divert the water around the house.
Humbly, they say their pride stems
Along the way, Julie learned that she actu-
largely from the strength of their rela-
ally likes wielding a sledgehammer, cutting
tionships with some of the most talented
insulation and seeing things from the per-
tradesmen in the area.
spective of her “brilliant” contractors. Lori
“It literally took a village,” Lori says. “That’s
learned to maximize her organizational skills.
probably why we are the proudest of this
“I gained an understanding that every detail
project because we were able to leverage
matters and that you have to communicate
relationships that we’ve built for 23 years, and
that detail to everyone that you work with.”
together we added value to the community.”
At some point, the town took notice. At first,
Of course, value always comes with a
it was the neighbors coming by to find out what
price. While it’s easy to share the women’s
happened to all the boulders in the front yard.
sense of accomplishment sitting in the spar-
Then they stopped in for an open house and
kling new kitchen, a peek at the process may
began to chatter excitedly about all the other
give pause to prospective imitators.
houses in town they thought should be next.
CONTINUED >
September 2019 | Leesburg Lifestyle
29
OPEN HOUSE
(CON TI N U ED)
"Luxury should be lived in." —LORI DUVAL
“We didn’t realize how much we were contributing by doing the
“This brought us joy,” Lori says. “We never saw this as a house-
house,” Lori says. “It became a community event. That was really
flip. It was always to be a signature home. We didn’t do the min-
exciting for us; we didn’t expect that.”
imum so the house looks new. We did the maximum so we are
“It’s way more work to renovate,” she cautions, “because there are
proud to put our name on it.”
always unexpected things that come up, and you have to be able to
“We looked at it from the perspective that, if we were going
handle the stress of constant change. You have to be able to make
to move into it, what kinds of things would we insist on that the
decisions and adjust quickly, and you have to always keep the final
house have?” Julie adds.
result in perspective. There are many paths to get there, and what you
“Luxury should be lived in,” Lori says. She and her sister design inte-
originally planned is definitely not the direction it is going to happen!”
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Luckily, the women both expect and delight in challenges and
styles. As for her and her sister’s lifestyle? “We have fun every day. How
laugh often. 30
Leesburg Lifestyle | September 2019
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33
FINANCIAL BUZZ
ARTICLE KATRINA SCHLOTHAUER, LICENSED AGENT, USHEALTH ADVISORS
COUNTDOWN TO HEALTH INSURANCE 2020
TIPS FOR GETTING THE RIGHT COVERAGE
Does owning my own business or being selfemployed make any difference? Health insurance rates today are either based on income or health. If you are self-employed, you can look into getting a plan that’s part of an association (AARP, NASE, AIBC, ABC, etc.) that offer addi-
What factors determine the health insurance I should buy ?
Employers with more than 50 employees must offer you health insurance. If you work for a smaller company or are self-em-
Katrina Schlothauer
tional benefits for your business and could give you more tax incentives.
Are “ p re- exi sting cond iti ons” still a fa ctor ?
ployed, you likely will be shopping among
If you sign up with a plan through the ACA
plans that qualify you based on your
or your employer, those plans no longer
health. If your income is too high to qualify
have any pre-existing conditions clauses.
for an ACA plan and you qualify for a low-
This is why their rates are a little high—
risk health plan, then that is your best bet.
they reflect a high-risk constituency.
THIS MONTH, HEALTH INSURANCE
Private carriers, since they’re outside the
RATES ARE BEING SET ACROSS THE
ACA, may decline to cover someone who
COUNTRY, AND PROJECTED PREMIUM INCREASES COULD FORCE SOME TOUGH
CHOICES
DURING
OPEN
ENROLLMENT, WHICH BEGINS NOV. 1.
How should I approach family health insurance? If you have a low income, you might qualify for a government subsidy or even Medicaid. If not, and you don’t have a good employer plan, then look into pri-
34
Leesburg Lifestyle | September 2019
has a particular pre-existing condition.
Why does USHealth have the word “group” in it?
vate plans. Since those plans are based
USHealth plans are designed for indi-
on health, each family member would
viduals, families, or small groups. It cov-
have to be fairly healthy, as they under-
ers a very low-risk health pool or group,
write your costs individually.
so the rates are generally lower.