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MEDICAREBLUEPRINT.COM Health Matters
MARCH/APRIL 2025
OUR MOM-AND-POP PROMISE Small Business, Safe Hands
A business could provide the finest products and services in the world, but it will fail if it neglects the human touch. When we started Medicaid Blueprint Advisors, we wanted to fill a growing void that harmed our industry. Clients were left stranded on hold, forced to deal with mountains of paperwork alone, and didn’t receive the personalized care they deserved. Of course, we wanted to grow our business as any ambitious entrepreneur would, but that has never been our primary focus. We’re not interested in just expanding our list of business transactions; we’re interested in building genuine relationships with people. This philosophy has been on our minds lately, as March 29 is National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. We’ve been fortunate to enjoy great success over the years, but our most significant victory is that we each still work closely with our first-ever clients 26 years later . That level of trust is incredibly rare, and we feel we’ve been able to accomplish it by never straying away from being a Mom and Pop at heart.
that position — from cutting payroll to putting out whatever fires may come in a typical day. As consumers, we appreciate whenever we can speak to a service provider without first navigating through an array of automated prompts. As a Medicare Blueprint Advisors client, you work directly with accessible decision- makers who can address your concerns faster than most large corporations. And best of all? We’ll actually call you back if you leave us a message! Health insurance is not the easiest or most comfortable topic to tackle. We’re here to help guide you toward comfort and security in the same way a local shoe repair store that’s been in business for generations will help get you back on your feet. The world of Medicare may be massive and overwhelming, but that doesn’t mean the solutions to your care can’t be simple. If there is already a takeaway from the first few months of 2025, it is that we are all living in times of considerable change. Medicare Blueprint Advisors is not immune to this trend, as our industry is undergoing rapid evolutions in technologies aimed at streamlining processes and strengthening our services. We’ve been in business long
enough to remember the days of faxing or FedExing critical documents. In more recent times, we successfully utilized Zoom and other remote tools to meet with clients during the height of COVID-19. While we’re always open to embracing any system that would improve our daily activities, we would never switch gears in ways that would hinder our ability to deliver the hands-on care you’ve come to expect from us. People choose us for the one-on- one experience we provide, and nothing — not technologies nor the ever-changing health insurance marketplace — will ever diminish that commitment. At a time when nearly everything in our lives is becoming increasingly complex, we’re here to deliver the same small-business solutions to large, industry-wide issues that we always have. Happy National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day to everyone who’s found satisfaction and success by keeping things small. May you continue to thrive and be the voice your customers expect to hear on the end of the phone.
—Jason Mackey & Tim Hanbury
As a small business, we understand the trials and tribulations of being in
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By now, you’re probably tired of hearing about healthy aging. Every article says you should eat specific things and exercise regularly, but what if you’ve never enjoyed going to the gym or jogging? You’re probably not going to start running marathons, lifting weights, or joining a sports club at this point. It can make you wonder if other options exist to add more physical activity to your daily routine. The answer is yes. Instead of going to the gym or running through your neighborhood, you can find creative activities to provide extra movement to your day. Even better? You’ll improve your physical and mental agility. Here are two creative aging activities you can explore. TAKE THE STAGE Acting is an excellent activity for anyone to start, but it becomes even more beneficial to aging Americans. Through acting, you’ll notice improvements in your concentration and memorization. Depending on the play, you may be required to stay moving, which will benefit your physical health. Plus, you’ll get many opportunities to socialize with your castmates. Many local theaters actively look for aspiring actors to audition. BUST A MOVE You may have fond memories of dancing in clubs, at weddings, or during special events, but the opportunities to boogie become rarer as we age. Thankfully, dance classes and studios love sharing the enjoyment of dance with people of all ages. Whether you like salsa, tap, waltz, swing, or some other type of dance, you can find a class or group ready to welcome you. AGE GRACEFULLY WITH MOVEMENT YOU ENJOY No Gym Required!
ESTATE PLANS FOR THE DIGITAL AGE Family Ties, Online Treasures
For insight into how much technology has impacted our everyday lives, simply look back to the ancient days of 2005.
A mere 20 years ago, social media was in its infancy (who remembers Friendster?), and most offices still had fax machines and scanning equipment. Conversations were held via flip phones, and world news was disseminated at neighborhood newspaper or magazine stands. Nowadays, virtually everything in our lives is stored in the smartphones in our pockets, and millions of people chronicle every significant event of their lives through social media status updates and videos. Now that “the cloud” has replaced file cabinets and storage boxes as the repository of our most precious moments, it’s essential to investigate how current technology may affect your plans for asset distribution upon your passing. Now is the time to consider including “digital assets” in your estate planning. DIGITAL FOOTPRINT FUNDAMENTALS Put simply, a digital asset is created every time you turn on your smartphone or boot up your laptop. Facebook, X, Instagram, PayPal, Dropbox, online gaming sites, and email accounts are just a few examples of where your cyber footprints are recorded. If you used your phone to record your granddaughter’s college graduation or wrote a personal blog about your father’s military service or your family’s love of fishing, those would also be considered digital assets. Since so much digital content is produced under your name, determining what can and can’t be transferred to beneficiaries is tricky. Generally, transferable digital assets include any media you own (music, videos, photos, etc.), funds accumulated on online platforms (web-based marketplaces, bank accounts, PayPal, etc.), and cryptocurrency. Conversely, subscription service accounts (Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.), mobile phone apps, and social media accounts are typically not transferable. A STORYTELLING SANCTUARY Perhaps most significantly, cloud-based technologies allow you to preserve your history. Your estate plan could include links to online storage spaces that contain photos, digitally preserved verbal or written stories of your lineage, or videos where you describe an endearing moment from the early days of your marriage. With cloud-based technology leading the way, the possibilities for leaving something truly valuable behind for your loved ones to experience are endless. —Jason Mackey
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RISK-FREE ROADTRIPS, SKY-HIGH HAPPINESS A QUICK GUIDE TO HEALTHIER TRAVEL HABITS
With spring upon us, airports and highways will inevitably be filled with new travelers looking to enjoy longer days and brighter skies. In their rush to get away, many people overlook simple things that help ensure their health and safety in the air or on the asphalt. Here are a few quick reminders to help make your upcoming trips trouble-free. PILLS, POCKETS, AND PROTECTION Like most things in life, airline travel is rarely an exact science. Whether your plane is on the runway awaiting takeoff or already in the air, everything from weather conditions to mechanical issues can drastically impact the length and comfort of your flight. Even if your flight is a simple nonstop trek, always plan for delays — keep all critical medications in your pocket, purse, or carry-on/overhead
AVENUES, ALTITUDE, AND ANTIHISTAMINES
Traveling to faraway places often means visiting exciting landmarks, experiencing new cuisines, or reconnecting with friends and family we don’t get to see too often. Unfortunately, it could also mean battling against your body’s reaction to nature. If you’re prone to seasonal allergies at home, it’s wise to research the pollen count in your destination and ask your physicians for recommendations on how to best prepare for new or increased irritants. When you experience allergies while traveling, reach for some tomatoes, blueberries, or nuts — all of which can help reduce inflammation and histamines. And of course, wearing a mask on a plane or in other areas with high human traffic is never a bad idea. —Tim Hanbury
luggage. Once your checked baggage is packed, it’s stored in the cargo hold for the duration of your flight — even when a three-hour flight turns into 10 hours of waiting. What would happen if you skipped taking a pill that you should have taken hours before you were finally able to access your baggage at the carousel? It’s best to never find out.
WORD SEARCH
CREAMY TORTELLINI VEGETABLE SOUP
Inspired by EatingWell.com
INGREDIENTS •
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 cup peeled and chopped carrots 1 cup chopped yellow onion 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic 3 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth 1 (15-oz) can (no salt added) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped 1/2 tsp ground pepper 1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt 1 (9-oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini 1 (5-oz) package baby spinach 1 cup heavy cream
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DIRECTIONS
1. In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium- high heat. Add carrots and onions and cook for about 5 minutes or until onions are softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. 2. Add broth, tomatoes, fresh basil, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until carrots are slightly tender. 3. Stir in tortellini. Cook until pasta is tender. Reduce heat to medium-low. 4. Add baby spinach and cream. Cook until spinach is wilted. Serve and garnish with additional basil if desired.
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AQUAMARINE BASKETBALL BLUEBIRD CLOVER GREEN IDES
LEPRECHAUN MADNESS PISCES SPRING TANGERINE TULIP
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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HEALTH CARE WITH A HUMAN TOUCH
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HOW CREATIVE ACTIVITIES PROMOTE HEALTHY AGING
CYBER SOLUTIONS FOR LASTING LEGACIES
STAY SAFE ON THE GO
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CREAMY TORTELLINI VEGETABLE SOUP
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K9S FOR WARRIORS IS SAVING VETERANS, ONE RESCUE DOG AT A TIME
SCOUT’S MEANINGFUL MISSION A Black Lab’s Role in Transforming a Veteran’s Life
For former U.S. Army Cavalry Scout Ryan Finch, life after his tour of duty was a battlefield of its own. Haunted by PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and the weight of his experiences, Ryan struggled to navigate even the simplest moments of daily life. But then Scout came into his life and became a lifeline, a symbol of hope, and a steadfast partner in his journey toward healing. Scout, a vibrant black Lab, has done more than help Ryan manage his anxiety; he’s transformed his world. Crowds and loud noises, once overwhelming triggers, are now manageable with Scout by his side. Soccer games, family gatherings, and the everyday joys of life that once seemed impossible are now part of Ryan’s new normal. Scout’s presence allows Ryan to enter spaces he never thought he’d enter again, not as a man weighed down by his past, but as a father, a husband, and a human being rediscovering connection. The story of how Scout came into Ryan’s life feels almost destined. Before his deployment, Ryan and his wife had adopted a black Lab, coincidentally named Scout, who died before Ryan went overseas and whose loss Ryan never truly reconciled as he was away from
home. So, when Ryan arrived at K9s For Warriors, and the trainers introduced him to his new service dog — a black Lab named Scout — it was a moment of profound healing and renewal. It was as if life had come full circle, offering Ryan a second chance at hope. K9s For Warriors is a testament to the life-changing power of service animals. Determined to combat the devastating reality that 20 veterans die by suicide every day, this program rescues and trains dogs to become service animals for veterans grappling with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma. The result is transformative. Veterans find independence, confidence, and purpose, while rescue dogs gain a life of devotion and meaning. The impact is undeniable. Graduates of the program report mended family relationships, reduced medication reliance, and renewed joy in life. Ryan’s wife has seen the change firsthand, describing her husband as more engaged, animated, and hopeful for the future. Scout symbolizes resilience and proves that an incredible bond can heal even the deepest wounds.
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