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MEDICAREBLUEPRINT.COM Health Matters
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025
SEPTEMBER’S CALL TO SELFLESSNESS Support and Service
September is a pivotal time of year for many people in South Carolina, and a month of great significance to us here at Medicare Blueprint Advisors. As students recover from the blazing hot summer and settle back into school (which, in many cases, started a few weeks ago), we’re enjoying the calm of the month before the last quarter of 2025 and one of our busiest times of the year kicks off. We’re also thinking a lot about the importance of giving back. September can be a busy few weeks for parents, but we encourage you to consider that Sept. 5 is the International Day of Giving. While it’s terrific that a date on the calendar has been established to honor charitable acts, philanthropy shouldn’t be reserved for a single day. It doesn’t matter whether you’re reading this newsletter on the actual holiday or later in the month; the spirit behind the celebration doesn’t have an expiration date, and charity is something we strive to prioritize in and out of the office. For 17 years before COVID-19, Jason hosted an annual charity golf tournament supporting the American Cancer Society
(ACS). Founded in 1913, the ACS has considerably impacted cancer research and prevention. Back in 1954, a landmark study by the organization confirmed the link between smoking and lung cancer, leading to a 50% reduction in the activity. Nineteen years later, it was instrumental in proving that mammography is a powerful tool in early breast cancer detection. In 2020, it launched the American Cancer Society Cancer Survivors Network, a groundbreaking online community that serves millions of cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers annually. Although the pandemic paused Jason’s involvement in the tournament, he remains a believer in the ACS’s mission and does all he can to support it. Cancer research is also of great significance to Tim, who lost his first wife to the disease. More information on the ACS is available at cancer.org . Away from work, Tim is an active member of the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo ( optimistclubofstandrews.org ), a volunteer organization devoted to improving the lives of youth in our community. An annual golf outing in May — which Tim participates in as a player and hole sponsor — and a Christmas tree sale are among the group’s fundraising activities. (Regrettably,
Tim often misses out on the latter, as the last few months of the year keep him busy here at the office.) The Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo is also a supporter of Homeworks, an organization that provides free home repairs for folks in need. Of course, several other charities are worth exploring, and neighbors, friends, and families always need our help. With the holidays approaching, consider ways you can help your community. Maybe you have old clothing you can donate, or offer more hands-on assistance for someone who needs a warm meal or just some friendly company. If health or logistical issues prevent you from being with your loved ones in the holidays to come, consider giving volunteerism a try. Helping others may help raise your spirits during an otherwise lonely time. In a world that becomes more complex every day, being charitable is one of the easiest things to do. We all face demands daily, but it doesn’t take much to touch someone’s life.
—Jason Mackey & Tim Hanbury
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Receiving a job offer may be great news at a challenging time, but there’s one that should be avoided at all costs. CAREER CONS Social Security Scammers Strike The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the Social Security Administration (SSA) has informed us of a scam trend targeting job seekers, particularly younger people. According to a recent edition of the SSA’s “Social Security Tips” newsletter, fraudsters are posing as associates of the SSA or another government entity and contacting unsuspecting job seekers with an offer of remote employment. They ask potential victims to provide them with personal information, including copies of government-issued identification, banking details, or Social Security numbers. Additionally, reports indicate that the scammers have asked people to pay for computers or training as part of the hiring process.
“I just came here to say how extremely grateful I am to have connected with Tim Hanbury after moving to South Carolina from Canada , having no idea where to even begin navigating the US Healthcare system, as it is a lot more complex! Tim always takes the time to patiently explain all of our options and carefully answer all of our many questions, regardless of how busy his day is. Tim actually cares about his clients and finding the best Healthcare options for their situation Tim, we can’t thank you enough for all that you do for us to put us at ease” –Darlene Kretzschmar “Great help, service, and attitude in helping me in to obtain my new health insurance and prescription drug insurance. They helped me work through lots of confusing and detailed information.” –Mike What Our Clients Think!
The scam is made even more nefarious by its false air of legitimacy. It has been reported that the caller will claim to have official SSA titles, including “virtual benefits coordinator,” “administrative assistant,” or “claims processor.” Additionally, they’ve been said to use phony SSA documents, email addresses, and phone numbers that appear official.
The “Social Security Tips” newsletter provides the following key warning signs to be mindful of if you are contacted by anyone stating they are from the SSA: • Unsolicited job offers through phone calls, texts, emails, or social media messages. • Unofficial email domains. • Requests for personal information or payment. • Pressure to act quickly or threats of missing out on an opportunity.
For more information (or to report a scam), please visit ssa.gov/ scam . Legitimate SSA job listings are available at ssa.gov//careers .
IMPORTANT REMINDER Medicare Blueprint Advisors urges our clients never to provide their Medicare number to anyone claiming to be an official representative, especially if a supposed salesperson requests it to offer a quote. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about the legitimacy of any Medicare-related communication you receive.
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HARVESTS AND HAUNTS HALLOWEEN THROUGH THE AGES
From overseas traditions that have lasted for thousands of years to a major modern- day celebration here at home, Halloween has diverse and storied traditions. Here’s a closer look at the holiday that brings eerie excitement to our front doors. HALLOWEEN IS OLDER THAN YOU MAY THINK. If you lived in Ireland, the United Kingdom, or northern France more than 2,000 years ago, you likely would have celebrated the start of a new year on Nov. 1. The date selection made sense, as the beginning of November marked the end of the harvest and the start of the cold winter. The changing weather also had spiritual significance for most of the population at the time, particularly the Celts, who believed that the night before, Oct. 31,
blurred the lines between the dead and living worlds. This belief prompted an event known as Samhain, in which celebrants wore costumes to shield themselves against the ghosts said to roam the land on this day. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III put a Christian spin on the proceedings by naming Nov. 1 “All Saints’ Day” to honor religious figures. The evening before became known as “All Hallows’ Eve,” with “hallow” being an archaic term for “holy.” Later, it was shortened to “Halloween” in most people’s vernacular. SPOOKINESS THRIVES HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. While many of our neighborhoods will gleefully participate in this year’s
ghoulish fun, one place in our state is the definitive spot to celebrate. Three years ago, Conway, a city with a population of approximately 30,000, officially renamed itself “the City of Halloween” for October. The Horry County hotspot has since become an annual destination for visitors far and wide who want to experience the city’s Halloween-themed events and attractions. According to the official “City of Halloween, SC” Facebook page, the holiday is “a whole month- long Conway-style celebration” that promises “a season full of tricks, treats, and community spirit.” Initially devised to increase tourism and commerce, the City of Halloween concept has continued to deliver big thrills and media attention to this relatively small community.
WORD SEARCH
TURKEY AND HUMMUS COLLARD WRAPS WITH COCONUT CURRY SAUCE
Inspired by ReclaimingYesterday.com
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
1. Mix all sauce ingredients until smooth. 2. Prepare collard leaves by cutting the stems off and trimming the thick vein that runs down the center of the leaf so that it lies flat. 3. Blanch collard leaves by dipping them into hot water, then immediately into cold water. 4. Dry leaves and lay flat, spreading 1–2 tbsp of hummus onto the center of each. 5. Add several turkey slices and sliced veggies. 6. Fold the right and left leaf sides in
Sauce: •
1/2 cup organic full-fat coconut milk 1/4 cup almond butter 2 tsp red curry paste
• • • • •
3 tsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp honey Pinch of salt
Wraps: •
4 large collard green leaves 1/2 cup hummus, divided
• • • • • • •
APPLES ASTER COFFEE CONSTITUTION FOLIAGE GRANDPARENTS
LABOR LUNCHBOX PIRATE SAPPHIRE VIRGO WAFFLES
3/4 lb sliced turkey 1/2 carrots, grated
1/4 bell pepper, sliced thinly
toward each other. Roll the collard leaf tight and tuck in the edges. Secure with two toothpicks, slice down the center, and serve with sauce for dipping.
1 zucchini, sliced thinly 1/2 avocado, sliced 1/4 cup cabbage, thinly sliced
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
A COMMUNITY OF COMPASSION
2
A NEW HIRING HOAX
WHAT OUR CLIENTS THINK
3
AN EERIE EVOLUTION
TURKEY AND HUMMUS COLLARD WRAPS WITH COCONUT CURRY SAUCE
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ONE DOG’S DARING ESCAPE UNCOVERED A NIGHTMARE
JAILBREAK FOR JUSTICE How a Senior Hound’s Escape Changed Dozens of Lives
When a 10-year-old basset hound fled from her neglectful home, she didn’t just rescue herself from abuse and poor conditions; she ended up saving more than 30 other animals from unimaginable suffering. Hero, as she’s since been named, was in bad shape when animal rescuers first discovered her. Emaciated and dirty, her overgrown nails had twisted, making it painful for her to walk. She had a painful bladder infection and heartworms. Despite the pain she was in, she made a daring escape, and her ID tag led animal control to a house of horrors. Officers found 36 other dogs, a chicken, and a cat at the location, suffering from various ailments and signs of abuse. Some animals lived in small, dirty cages; others
had injuries and signs of malnutrition. All of them were dirty and had a medical issue of some kind. It was clear they needed help. The Humane Society of Concord took in 15 of the dogs, including Hero, and other local rescues housed the rest. When the sad story of these neglected dogs reached the community, people heard the call and donated funds to help cover their medical and care costs. If it had not been for Hero’s life-saving feat, there’s no telling what would have become of her furry friends. The shelter that named her Hero even gave her a last name, Salvare, which means to save and protect. They described her as “a friendly girl with the softness of a sweet old lady” who deserved a quiet home as she recovered.
Hero has since found her forever home and was adopted the next day after the shelter searched for a new owner. Thanks to the kind and persevering hound, many other dogs from the home have also been adopted. “Despite Hero’s sad backstory, she’s proof that dogs are resilient creatures that only show love that is unconditional,” the shelter wrote. Hero may have started as a victim, but she ended a chapter of abuse as a rescuer. Her quiet bravery saved her and transformed the lives of dozens of others, proving that even in the darkest places, hope can come on four legs and floppy ears.
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