Latest news with #Wirt
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A Medicaid Patient Had a Heart Attack While Traveling — He Owed Almost $78,000
On Christmas Day at the WaTiki indoor water park, Hans Wirt was getting winded from following his son up the stairs to the waterslides. Wirt's breathing became more labored once they returned to the nearby hotel where they and Wirt's girlfriend were staying while visiting family in Rapid City, South Dakota. Then he grew nauseated and went pale. Wirt thought the cause might have been the altitude change between his home in Deltona, Florida — 33 feet above sea level — and Rapid City, at the edge of the Black Hills. But his 12-year-old son was worried and called for an ambulance. 'I could tell by the look in his eyes that there was something a little more to this,' Wirt said. 'So I can kind of thank my son for saving my life.' It turned out the 62-year-old was having a heart attack. A 'lousy Christmas present,' Wirt said. Medics stabilized Wirt before taking him to Monument Health — the only hospital in Rapid City with an emergency room — where he was treated over two days. Then the bill came. Paramedics used a defibrillator to restore a normal heart rhythm. Doctors at the hospital gave Wirt various medications, used an electrocardiograph and other diagnostic and monitoring devices, and inserted stents into his arteries to improve blood flow to his heart. $95,523.73, including $32,998.90 for medical supplies, mostly related to the stents, and $28,879 for treatment in a cardiac catheterization lab. After unspecified hospital adjustments to the bill, Wirt owed $77,574.44. Wirt is covered by Florida's Medicaid program through Sunshine Health, a managed-care plan. But the South Dakota hospital refused to submit the bill to his out-of-state Medicaid plan, instead sending it to Wirt and eventually threatening to send the debt to a collection agency. Medicaid, the government health insurance program primarily for low-income people and those with disabilities, is jointly funded by the federal government and states. States are responsible for administering Medicaid, and most contract with private insurance companies like Sunshine Health. Federal law says state Medicaid programs must reimburse out-of-state hospitals for beneficiaries' care in an emergency. Many hospitals bill out-of-state Medicaid plans in such situations. If they don't, they risk not being reimbursed at all, since Medicaid recipients probably won't be able to afford large bills, said Katy DeBriere, who was legal director for the Florida Health Justice Project when she spoke with KFF Health News in April. But there's no federal law that requires them to do so, she said. Federal court opinions have noted that hospitals are not required to bill Medicaid for every individual beneficiary they treat, even if they generally accept Medicaid. Monument Health didn't bill Wirt's insurance because the hospital isn't enrolled as a health care provider with Florida Medicaid, said hospital spokesperson Stephany Chalberg. She told KFF Health News that Monument bills Medicaid plans only in South Dakota and four bordering states: Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and Minnesota. The hospital's website says Medicaid patients who are not enrolled in one of those states 'are responsible for any charges.' 'Due to the significant credentialing requirements of our multiple hospitals and hundreds of physicians we do not participate with all states,' a hospital representative wrote in a message to Wirt. According to Florida's Medicaid website, out-of-state providers who have treated one of its enrollees must submit five documents to bill the program, including a six-page application, a copy of the provider's license, and a claim form. The process is different in each state, and many Medicaid programs reimburse out-of-state providers at lower rates than those that are in-state, according to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, a federal agency that advises Congress. Provider enrollment barriers leave 'beneficiaries in an untenable situation, preventing them from accessing the coverage to which they are legally entitled,' Chalberg said. Wirt decided to submit his bill to his Medicaid plan on his own. But he said Sunshine Health told him it can only process bills received directly from providers. Elizabeth Boyd, a spokesperson for Sunshine Health, told KFF Health News that its staff contacted the hospital on Wirt's behalf. She did not respond when asked why the plan can't process bills submitted by patients or what more it could have done to help Wirt. A few days after KFF Health News emailed officials at Monument Health for this story, Wirt noticed his balance due fell from more than $77,000 to $0. Chalberg told KFF Health News that Monument Health covered Wirt's bill through its charity care program. She said that 'appropriate patients' are told about the program and that 'before any bill is sent to collections, it is evaluated to determine whether the patient may qualify for our financial assistance policy.' To retain tax-exempt status, nonprofit hospitals must have programs that provide free or discounted care to patients who can't afford their bills. But Wirt said that when he first contacted Monument Health after receiving his bill and said he couldn't afford to pay it, officials didn't mention the program. He said they didn't share any resources when he asked whether there were outside groups that could help him pay the bill. Wirt said hospital officials just recommended setting up a payment plan, but the monthly bills were still too high for him to afford. 'There's a reason why I'm on Medicaid,' Wirt said. 'It's just beyond me how they can expect somebody who had Medicaid to come up with that kind of money. It's unrealistic.' Sarah Somers, legal director at the National Health Law Program, said the various 'cogs in the Medicaid system' didn't operate correctly in Wirt's situation. 'Nobody's exerting themselves enough to just smooth the way for this person.' States are responsible for managing Medicaid and are therefore the main 'cog,' Somers said. She said Medicaid managed-care companies are also supposed to intervene. Somers and DeBriere said Medicaid recipients who receive bills they don't think they owe should file a complaint with their state's Medicaid program and, if they have one, their managed-care plan. They can also ask whether there is a Medicaid or managed-care caseworker who can advocate on their behalf. The attorneys said patients should also contact a legal aid clinic or a consumer protection firm that specializes in medical debt. DeBriere said those organizations can help file complaints and communicate with the hospital. DeBriere said that, had she assisted Wirt, she would have immediately sent a letter to Monument Health ordering it to stop billing him and to either register with Florida Medicaid to submit his bill or offer him charity care. Wirt said the doctors who treated him and the medical care he received at Monument Health were excellent. He said he spoke out about the hospital's billing practices because he doesn't want others to endure the same experience. 'If I get sick and have a heart attack, I have to be sure that I do that here in Florida now instead of some other state,' he joked. The Patient Expected a Free Checkup. The Bill Was $1,430. Apr 30, 2025He Had Short-Term Health Insurance. His Colonoscopy Bill: $7,000. Mar 28, 2025A Runner Was Hit by a Car, Then by a Surprise Ambulance Bill Feb 28, 2025 More from Bill of the Month Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by KFF Health News and The Washington Post's Well+Being that dissects and explains medical bills. Since 2018, this series has helped many patients and readers get their medical bills reduced, and it has been cited in statehouses, at the U.S. Capitol, and at the White House. Do you have a confusing or outrageous medical bill you want to share? Tell us about it! KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. Subscribe to KFF Health News' free Morning Briefing. This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. The post A Medicaid Patient Had a Heart Attack While Traveling — He Owed Almost $78,000 appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
A Florida Medicaid patient had a heart attack while traveling. He owed $77,000
On Christmas Day at the WaTiki indoor water park, Hans Wirt was getting winded from following his son up the stairs to the waterslides. Wirt's breathing became more labored once they returned to the nearby hotel where they and Wirt's girlfriend were staying while visiting family in Rapid City, South Dakota. Then he grew nauseated and went pale. Wirt thought the cause might have been the altitude change between his home in Deltona, Florida — 33 feet above sea level — and Rapid City, at the edge of the Black Hills. But his 12-year-old son was worried and called for an ambulance. 'I could tell by the look in his eyes that there was something a little more to this,' Wirt said. 'So I can kind of thank my son for saving my life.' It turned out the 62-year-old was having a heart attack. A 'lousy Christmas present,' Wirt said. Medics stabilized Wirt before taking him to Monument Health — the only hospital in Rapid City with an emergency room — where he was treated over two days. Then the bill came. The medical procedure Paramedics used a defibrillator to restore a normal heart rhythm. Doctors at the hospital gave Wirt various medications, used an electrocardiograph and other diagnostic and monitoring devices, and inserted stents into his arteries to improve blood flow to his heart. The final bill $95,523.73, including $32,998.90 for medical supplies, mostly related to the stents, and $28,879 for treatment in a cardiac catheterization lab. After unspecified hospital adjustments to the bill, Wirt owed $77,574.44. The billing problem: Medicaid across state lines Wirt is covered by Florida's Medicaid program through Sunshine Health, a managed-care plan. But the South Dakota hospital refused to submit the bill to his out-of-state Medicaid plan, instead sending it to Wirt and eventually threatening to send the debt to a collection agency. Medicaid, the government health insurance program primarily for low-income people and those with disabilities, is jointly funded by the federal government and states. States are responsible for administering Medicaid, and most contract with private insurance companies like Sunshine Health. Federal law says state Medicaid programs must reimburse out-of-state hospitals for beneficiaries' care in an emergency. Many hospitals bill out-of-state Medicaid plans in such situations. If they don't, they risk not being reimbursed at all, since Medicaid recipients probably won't be able to afford large bills, said Katy DeBriere, who was legal director for the Florida Health Justice Project when she spoke with KFF Health News in April. But there's no federal law that requires them to do so, she said. Federal court opinions have noted that hospitals are not required to bill Medicaid for every individual beneficiary they treat, even if they generally accept Medicaid. Monument Health didn't bill Wirt's insurance because the hospital isn't enrolled as a health care provider with Florida Medicaid, said hospital spokesperson Stephany Chalberg. She told KFF Health News that Monument bills Medicaid plans only in South Dakota and four bordering states: Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and Minnesota. The hospital's website says Medicaid patients who are not enrolled in one of those states 'are responsible for any charges.' 'Due to the significant credentialing requirements of our multiple hospitals and hundreds of physicians we do not participate with all states,' a hospital representative wrote in a message to Wirt. According to Florida's Medicaid website, out-of-state providers who have treated one of its enrollees must submit five documents to bill the program, including a six-page application, a copy of the provider's license, and a claim form. The process is different in each state, and many Medicaid programs reimburse out-of-state providers at lower rates than those that are in-state, according to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, a federal agency that advises Congress. More from this series The Patient Expected a Free Checkup. The Bill Was $1,430. Apr 30, 2025He Had Short-Term Health Insurance. His Colonoscopy Bill: $7,000. Mar 28, 2025A Runner Was Hit by a Car, Then by a Surprise Ambulance Bill Feb 28, 2025 More from Bill of the Month Provider enrollment barriers leave 'beneficiaries in an untenable situation, preventing them from accessing the coverage to which they are legally entitled,' Chalberg said. Wirt decided to submit his bill to his Medicaid plan on his own. But he said Sunshine Health told him it can only process bills received directly from providers. Elizabeth Boyd, a spokesperson for Sunshine Health, told KFF Health News that its staff contacted the hospital on Wirt's behalf. She did not respond when asked why the plan can't process bills submitted by patients or what more it could have done to help Wirt. The resolution A few days after KFF Health News emailed officials at Monument Health for this story, Wirt noticed his balance due fell from more than $77,000 to $0. Chalberg told KFF Health News that Monument Health covered Wirt's bill through its charity care program. She said that 'appropriate patients' are told about the program and that 'before any bill is sent to collections, it is evaluated to determine whether the patient may qualify for our financial assistance policy.' To retain tax-exempt status, nonprofit hospitals must have programs that provide free or discounted care to patients who can't afford their bills. But Wirt said that when he first contacted Monument Health after receiving his bill and said he couldn't afford to pay it, officials didn't mention the program. He said they didn't share any resources when he asked whether there were outside groups that could help him pay the bill. Wirt said hospital officials just recommended setting up a payment plan, but the monthly bills were still too high for him to afford. 'There's a reason why I'm on Medicaid,' Wirt said. 'It's just beyond me how they can expect somebody who had Medicaid to come up with that kind of money. It's unrealistic.' The takeaway Sarah Somers, legal director at the National Health Law Program, said the various 'cogs in the Medicaid system' didn't operate correctly in Wirt's situation. 'Nobody's exerting themselves enough to just smooth the way for this person.' States are responsible for managing Medicaid and are therefore the main 'cog,' Somers said. She said Medicaid managed-care companies are also supposed to intervene. Somers and DeBriere said Medicaid recipients who receive bills they don't think they owe should file a complaint with their state's Medicaid program and, if they have one, their managed-care plan. They can also ask whether there is a Medicaid or managed-care caseworker who can advocate on their behalf. The attorneys said patients should also contact a legal aid clinic or a consumer protection firm that specializes in medical debt. DeBriere said those organizations can help file complaints and communicate with the hospital. DeBriere said that, had she assisted Wirt, she would have immediately sent a letter to Monument Health ordering it to stop billing him and to either register with Florida Medicaid to submit his bill or offer him charity care. Wirt said the doctors who treated him and the medical care he received at Monument Health were excellent. He said he spoke out about the hospital's billing practices because he doesn't want others to endure the same experience. 'If I get sick and have a heart attack, I have to be sure that I do that here in Florida now instead of some other state,' he joked. Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by KFF Health News and The Washington Post's Well+Being that dissects and explains medical bills. Since 2018, this series has helped many patients and readers get their medical bills reduced, and it has been cited in statehouses, at the U.S. Capitol, and at the White House. Do you have a confusing or outrageous medical bill you want to share? Tell us about it! KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This man had a heart attack while traveling. He owed almost $78,000.
On Christmas Day at the WaTiki indoor water park, Hans Wirt was getting winded from following his son up the stairs to the waterslides. Wirt's breathing became more labored once they returned to the nearby hotel where they and Wirt's girlfriend were staying while visiting family in Rapid City, South Dakota. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Then he grew nauseated and went pale. Wirt thought the cause might have been the altitude change between his home in Deltona, Florida - 33 feet above sea level - and Rapid City, at the edge of the Black Hills. But his 12-year-old son was worried and called for an ambulance. 'I could tell by the look in his eyes that there was something a little more to this,' Wirt said. 'So I can kind of thank my son for saving my life.' It turned out the 62-year-old was having a heart attack. A 'lousy Christmas present,' Wirt said. Medics stabilized Wirt before taking him to Monument Health - the only hospital in Rapid City with an emergency room - where he was treated over two days. Then the bill came. - - - The medical procedure Paramedics used a defibrillator to restore a normal heart rhythm. Doctors at the hospital gave Wirt various medications, used an electrocardiograph and other diagnostic and monitoring devices, and inserted stents into his arteries to improve blood flow to his heart. - - - The final bill $95,523.73, including $32,998.90 for medical supplies, mostly related to the stents, and $28,879 for treatment in a cardiac catheterization lab. After unspecified hospital adjustments to the bill, Wirt owed $77,574.44. - - - The billing problem Wirt is covered by Florida's Medicaid program through Sunshine Health, a managed-care plan. But the South Dakota hospital refused to submit the bill to his out-of-state Medicaid plan, instead sending it to Wirt and eventually threatening to send the debt to a collection agency. Medicaid, the government health insurance program primarily for low-income people and those with disabilities, is jointly funded by the federal government and states. States are responsible for administering Medicaid, and most contract with private insurance companies like Sunshine Health. Federal law says state Medicaid programs must reimburse out-of-state hospitals for beneficiaries' care in an emergency. Many hospitals bill out-of-state Medicaid plans in such situations. If they don't, they risk not being reimbursed at all, since Medicaid recipients probably won't be able to afford large bills, said Katy DeBriere, who was legal director for the Florida Health Justice Project when she spoke with KFF Health News in April. But there's no federal law that requires them to do so, she said. Federal court opinions have noted that hospitals are not required to bill Medicaid for every individual beneficiary they treat, even if they generally accept Medicaid. Monument Health didn't bill Wirt's insurance because the hospital isn't enrolled as a health-care provider with Florida Medicaid, said hospital spokesperson Stephany Chalberg. She told KFF Health News that Monument bills Medicaid plans only in South Dakota and four bordering states: Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska and Minnesota. The hospital's website says Medicaid patients who are not enrolled in one of those states 'are responsible for any charges.' 'Due to the significant credentialing requirements of our multiple hospitals and hundreds of physicians we do not participate with all states,' a hospital representative wrote in a message to Wirt. According to Florida's Medicaid website, out-of-state providers that have treated one of its enrollees must submit five documents to bill the program, including a six-page application, a copy of the provider's license and a claim form. The process is different in each state, and many Medicaid programs reimburse out-of-state providers at lower rates than those that are in-state, according to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, a federal agency that advises Congress. Provider enrollment barriers leave 'beneficiaries in an untenable situation, preventing them from accessing the coverage to which they are legally entitled,' Chalberg said. Wirt decided to submit his bill to his Medicaid plan on his own. But he said Sunshine Health told him it can process only bills received directly from providers. Elizabeth Boyd, a spokesperson for Sunshine Health, told KFF Health News that its staff contacted the hospital on Wirt's behalf. She did not respond when asked why the plan can't process bills submitted by patients or what more it could have done to help Wirt. - - - The resolution A few days after KFF Health News emailed officials at Monument Health for this story, Wirt noticed his balance due fell from more than $77,000 to $0. Chalberg told KFF Health News that Monument Health covered Wirt's bill through its charity care program. She said that 'appropriate patients' are told about the program and that 'before any bill is sent to collections, it is evaluated to determine whether the patient may qualify for our financial assistance policy.' To retain tax-exempt status, nonprofit hospitals must have programs that provide free or discounted care to patients who can't afford their bills. But Wirt said that when he first contacted Monument Health after receiving his bill and said he couldn't afford to pay it, officials didn't mention the program. He said they didn't share any resources when he asked whether there were outside groups that could help him pay the bill. Wirt said hospital officials just recommended setting up a payment plan, but the monthly bills were still too high for him to afford. 'There's a reason why I'm on Medicaid,' Wirt said. 'It's just beyond me how they can expect somebody who had Medicaid to come up with that kind of money. It's unrealistic.' - - - The takeaway Sarah Somers, legal director at the National Health Law Program, said the various 'cogs in the Medicaid system' didn't operate correctly in Wirt's situation. 'Nobody's exerting themselves enough to just smooth the way for this person.' States are responsible for managing Medicaid and are, therefore, the main 'cog,' Somers said. She said Medicaid managed-care companies also are supposed to intervene. Somers and DeBriere said Medicaid recipients who receive bills they don't think they owe should file a complaint with their state's Medicaid program and, if they have one, their managed-care plan. They can also ask whether there is a Medicaid or managed-care caseworker who can advocate on their behalf. The attorneys said patients should also contact a legal aid clinic or a consumer protection firm that specializes in medical debt. DeBriere said those organizations can help file complaints and communicate with the hospital. DeBriere said that had she assisted Wirt, she would have immediately sent a letter to Monument Health ordering it to stop billing him and to either register with Florida Medicaid to submit his bill or offer him charity care. Wirt said the doctors who treated him and the medical care he received at Monument Health were excellent. He said he spoke out about the hospital's billing practices because he doesn't want others to endure the same experience. 'If I get sick and have a heart attack, I have to be sure that I do that here in Florida now instead of some other state,' he joked. - - - KFF Health News, formerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN), is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF - the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by KFF Health News and The Washington Post's Well+Being that dissects and explains medical bills. Related Content Despite ceasefire, India and Pakistan are locked in a cultural cold war Columbia protester Mahmoud Khalil's detention ruled likely unconstitutional The D.C. plane crash took her mom and sister. She turned to her piano.
Time Business News
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Business News
Over the Garden Wall: A Timeless Tale of Mystery, Melancholy, and Magic
In the world of animation, few series manage to blend whimsical charm, eerie folklore, and heartfelt storytelling quite like Over the Garden Wall . Created by Patrick McHale and originally aired on Cartoon Network in 2014, this 10-episode animated miniseries quickly became a cult classic. With its autumnal aesthetic, rich narrative layers, and emotional depth, Over the Garden Wall continues to captivate viewers of all ages. This article explores the origins, symbolism, characters, themes, and legacy of Over the Garden Wall , revealing why it stands as one of the most unique and enduring pieces of animated storytelling in recent history. Patrick McHale, known for his work on Adventure Time , drew from an eclectic range of inspirations when crafting Over the Garden Wall . The series began as a short film titled Tome of the Unknown in 2013, which showcased the core elements later developed into the full miniseries. McHale's vision for the show combined 19th-century Americana, early 20th-century illustration styles, classical music, and European folktales. The result was a beautifully dark and whimsical tale that felt both old-fashioned and timeless. The animation style, handled by Cartoon Network Studios, paid homage to vintage cartoons and storybook illustrations. This nostalgic visual approach reinforced the show's atmosphere of stepping into a forgotten world. The story of Over the Garden Wall follows two half-brothers, Wirt and Greg, who find themselves lost in a mysterious, dreamlike forest called 'The Unknown.' The forest is filled with strange characters, surreal settings, and ominous undertones. As the boys attempt to find their way home, they encounter talking animals, enchanted villages, and a shadowy figure known as The Beast. Each episode serves as a self-contained vignette while contributing to the overarching narrative. This episodic format echoes classic fairy tales and folktales, allowing viewers to experience a variety of moods and themes. Wirt, the older brother, is cautious and poetic, often burdened by self-doubt. Greg, his younger sibling, is carefree, imaginative, and endlessly optimistic. Their dynamic provides both comedic relief and emotional tension throughout their journey. Voiced by Elijah Wood, Wirt is the reluctant hero of the story. As a high school student struggling with identity, creativity, and fear of rejection, Wirt represents the coming-of-age anxiety that many viewers can relate to. His arc is one of growth and bravery—learning to accept uncertainty and take responsibility. Greg, voiced by Collin Dean, is Wirt's younger half-brother and the heart of the show. Innocent, curious, and full of nonsensical charm, Greg embodies childlike wonder. His spontaneous songs, silly observations, and fearless attitude balance Wirt's overthinking nature. Greg's character arc showcases how innocence and love can be powerful forces of good. A talking bluebird with a secret past, Beatrice (voiced by Melanie Lynskey) acts as both guide and wildcard. Initially sarcastic and mysterious, she hides a personal curse that unfolds as the story progresses. Her complex motivations and eventual redemption highlight themes of guilt, forgiveness, and choice. Voiced by Christopher Lloyd, The Woodsman is a somber and mysterious figure who warns the brothers about The Beast. His haunting role, centered on an eternal struggle to keep a lantern lit, adds a tragic depth to the story's mythos. As the primary antagonist, The Beast represents despair and hopelessness. Cloaked in shadow and darkness, he lures lost souls into servitude. His symbolic presence evokes themes of death, depression, and manipulation. At its core, Over the Garden Wall is a coming-of-age story. Wirt and Greg's journey symbolizes the transition from childhood to adulthood, where innocence gives way to self-awareness and maturity. The Unknown functions as a liminal space—part dreamscape, part purgatory—where lessons must be learned before moving forward. Many fans interpret Over the Garden Wall as an allegory for death or near-death experience. The Unknown could be seen as a form of limbo or the space between life and death. The show's finale and several clues throughout hint at this reading, although the creators leave much up to interpretation. Fear paralyzes Wirt, while Greg's fearlessness sometimes leads to recklessness. Through their contrasting reactions, the series explores how confronting fear and accepting personal responsibility are crucial steps toward growth. Characters like Beatrice and The Woodsman carry heavy emotional burdens. Their paths to redemption are central to the narrative, suggesting that everyone—no matter how lost—has the potential for forgiveness and change. One of the standout features of Over the Garden Wall is its music. Composed by The Blasting Company, the score includes original songs and instrumentals that span genres from early jazz and folk to Tin Pan Alley and classical. Songs like 'Into the Unknown,' 'Potatoes & Molasses,' and 'Come Wayward Souls' deepen the show's emotional resonance and contribute to its timeless feel. The music is not just background; it's an integral part of the storytelling, reinforcing mood and meaning in each scene. Visually, Over the Garden Wall draws from sources like 19th-century storybooks, vintage Halloween postcards, American Gothic art, and early animation like Betty Boop and Steamboat Willie . The muted autumnal color palette evokes a sense of nostalgia and melancholy. Each episode contains distinct and lovingly crafted settings—from a pumpkin-filled village called Pottsfield to a haunted schoolhouse run by animals. These environments contribute to the feeling of drifting through a surreal dream. McHale infused the series with references to classic literature and Americana. Inspirations include: Dante's Inferno – The brothers' descent into the Unknown mirrors a spiritual journey through darkness. – The brothers' descent into the Unknown mirrors a spiritual journey through darkness. L. Frank Baum's Oz series – Fantastical settings and whimsical characters abound. – Fantastical settings and whimsical characters abound. Washington Irving and Nathaniel Hawthorne – The show's eerie, colonial atmosphere pays tribute to these American Gothic writers. – The show's eerie, colonial atmosphere pays tribute to these American Gothic writers. Folklore and fairy tales – Each episode reflects traditional story structures, morals, and magical realism. One of the reasons Over the Garden Wall remains so popular is its openness to interpretation. Fans have developed countless theories about the true nature of the Unknown, the symbolism behind each character, and what happens after the series ends. Some popular interpretations include: The Unknown as a metaphor for grief. Wirt's journey as an internal battle with depression or anxiety. Greg's sacrifice as a symbol of pure love and selflessness. The Beast representing nihilism and hopelessness. This ambiguity has fueled an active online fandom, with fan art, essays, and discussions flourishing on platforms like Reddit and Tumblr. Despite being just 10 episodes long, Over the Garden Wall has left a lasting mark on animation. Its influence can be seen in newer shows that embrace darker themes and poetic storytelling, such as Infinity Train and The Owl House . The show has also led to: A graphic novel series expanding the lore. Merchandise, including vinyl soundtracks, apparel, and collectibles. Annual Halloween and autumnal rewatch traditions. College courses and academic papers analyzing its themes and artistry. There's something universally appealing about Over the Garden Wall . It taps into childhood nostalgia while addressing profound emotional experiences. Its mixture of light and dark mirrors the complexity of growing up, facing fears, and learning to let go. Whether you're watching it for the first time or revisiting it for the tenth, Over the Garden Wall offers something new with each viewing. It's the rare kind of art that stays with you, whispering quiet truths long after the credits roll. Over the Garden Wall is more than just an animated miniseries—it's a poetic journey through the woods of memory, loss, and transformation. With its unforgettable characters, haunting music, and beautiful animation, it invites viewers to explore the Unknown, both within the story and within themselves. As autumn leaves fall and the world shifts from light to shadow, there's no better time to step back into the strange and wonderful forest of Over the Garden Wall . Just remember: the way out is through. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Miami Herald
18-03-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Telesystem Launches Enhanced UCaaS Solution, TrustUC
NORTHWOOD, OHIO / ACCESS Newswire / March 18, 2025 / Telesystem, a leading provider of nationwide cybersecurity, networking, and communication solutions, announced today the launch of its new Unified Communications platform, TrustUC. This enhanced UCaaS solution introduces built-in security awareness training, Webex meetings and collaboration, and includes Telesystem's AI-powered business messaging solution with every seat, addressing the unique connectivity, security, and engagement needs of modern businesses. TrustUC offers users a seamless communications experience on any device, integrating the Webex communication platform with new AI-driven functionalities that optimize employee engagement and productivity. Key features, including AI-Powered Meeting Summaries and customizable conversational AI Agents enable businesses to boost operational efficiencies and improve customer experiences. "We are very excited to introduce TrustUC to the marketplace," said Bruce Wirt, Chief Revenue Officer at Telesystem. "Security and Customer experience are equally at the center of our value proposition, and we're excited to showcase the ease of use and feature rich capabilities in this state-of-the-art platform. TrustUC is Telesystem's answer to businesses who are frustrated by the multitude of applications to try and satisfy their need for end user security, voice, collaboration, and messaging in a simplistic format. By combining these solutions, users will find an easy-to-use solution that gives them all the tools needed to run their communications from a single source." Wirt continued. With a focus on helping businesses improve their cybersecurity posture, Telesystem has embedded their employee Security Awareness Training solution directly into the TrustUC platform, empowering organizations to educate their employees on current cyber threats such as SPAM, phishing, malware, ransomware, and social engineering. Additionally, the integration gives businesses access to 24/7 dark web monitoring, micro-trainings and unlimited phishing simulations. In addition to advanced collaboration and security tools, all TrustUC seats are integrated with the free tier of Telesystem's new Business Messaging solution, enabling businesses to communicate securely and efficiently across multiple channels, including SMS, MMS, and iMessage within the TrustUC application. Telesystem's TrustUC Business Messaging solution offers a number of key features, including bulk messaging for promotions or announcements, and automated responses for common inquiries, appointment reminders and confirmations. Additionally, its embedded AI capabilities can automatically analyze messaging patterns and customer responses; helping refine and automate communication strategies, predict customer needs, and provide smarter, context-aware replies that will significantly improve engagement and customer satisfaction. Integrating Security Awareness Training and Business Messaging into Webex's AI functionality makes TrustUC a powerful tool for businesses in one central application. Users can access the app from any device, giving them the freedom to work how and where they want, while enjoying a more secure, engaging, and fully integrated communication experience. For more information about TrustUC and its pricing and features, please visit: About Telesystem For over 30 years, Telesystem has been a trusted technology partner for SME and mid-market US-based organizations, empowering businesses across the country with a range of innovative cybersecurity, networking and communication solutions designed to address the business-specific needs of each customer. Guided by strategic partnerships and a customer-centric mission, these customized solutions are backed by an end-to-end managed experience and 24/7 US-based support team. Telesystem provides service to businesses in all areas of the United States. Their customers include hospitals, universities, local public and private school districts, banks, multi-location retail establishments and regional government offices, just to name a few. To learn more about Telesystem vist Contact Information Morgan Hull Marketing Generalistmhull@ SOURCE: Telesystem press release
