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MEDICAREBLUEPRINT.COM Health Matters
MAY/JUNE 2026
PERSONAL GROWTH ON THE GO From Pages to Playlists
Long before our daily activities were condensed into apps, most of us had reading assignments and book reports at school. I loved reading books growing up, but times are different now. I currently have a stack of books sitting on my desk that I keep telling myself I’ll crack open one of these days, and there’s one on my nightstand that’s more or less become a paperweight. In my defense, I’m in a very busy industry and spend my non- working hours chasing around a 7-year- old. That said, I’ve never strayed from new opportunities to broaden my mind through books … I just listen to them now. June is National Audiobook Appreciation Month. My appreciation for them goes back at least five years, when I decided to catch up on books by listening to them while driving. It was one of the best choices I’ve ever made, as I can learn new things behind the wheel instead of tuning in to talk radio and listening to an endless stream of negativity about the world. Not surprisingly, my attitude and outlook became much more positive, and I felt good about catching up on books and topics I was interested in exploring. Now, I can get through a few dozen books a year.
Of course, there are countless book genres, but I focus on business and
through that kind of ordeal. (Tim told me the other day that he hung up on an AI agent after spending several minutes trying to get it to understand the word “hip.”) When Tim and I wrote our 2017 book, “Medicare Blueprint: A Just-The-Facts Approach to Designing Your Medicare Benefits,” we worked with a professional writer to strengthen the text and make it easier for readers to digest. It was a book written by humans that addressed human concerns. We were its voice, the same way we’re the voice of Medicare Blueprint Advisors today. I’m fascinated by AI and want to learn more about how we could use it here someday, but any direction we choose will never come at the expense of the human connections that built our business. Naturally, not everyone is interested in taking such a deep dive into AI in their free time as I am, but I still encourage you to read or listen to any books that entertain, educate, or inspire you. We may not be sitting at desks in classrooms anymore, but the spirit of exploring new things is alive and well … even if it’s through an audiobook in your car.
finance. “The Money Habit: The Worry-Free Way to Financial Independence” by Mike Michalowicz and “Ready, Fire, Aim: Zero to $100 Million in No Time Flat” by Michael Masterson immediately come to mind as great reads (or listens), and I can never go wrong with revisiting “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey. I’ve also devoted a lot of time over the past year to listening to audiobooks on artificial intelligence (AI), something that’s everywhere these days. What do I think of AI based on my research and what we’re all experiencing with it today? I don’t think it’s going to necessarily replace everybody’s jobs, but I think it’s going to enhance people’s jobs. It’s also going to create more time for workers rather than save it, making people more productive and raising the bar on what people will be expected to get done in a day. How does AI affect our day here at Medicare Blueprint Advisors? Not much right now. We may use it here and there to help ensure clarity in our emails, but Tim and I are decidedly hands-off with it when serving our clients directly. For one thing, we find it frustrating to converse with an AI “agent,” so we wouldn’t put our clients
Happy listening!
—Jason Mackey
888-335-9498
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Summer should be a time for fun and relaxation, not an opportunity for fraudsters to take advantage of Medicare users. Shield Your Info Against Identity Intruders Unfortunately, instances of fraud are on the rise. Whether it’s by phone, letter, or email, criminals regularly attempt to trick Medicare users into sharing ID numbers and other critical information. Here are seven quick tips to help our clients avoid these tactics and keep their information safer and more secure: • Protect your Medicare number the same way you would your Social Security number. For example, a legitimate Medicare representative will never call you and ask for your ID number. If you receive a text, call, or email asking for this information, do not provide it. Only your doctor or people you know should have access to your Medicare number. • Check your Medicare statements to ensure that all services and dates listed match those listed on your calendar. If you see a product or service listed that you didn’t receive, it could be fraudulent. MEDICARE SAFETY MASTERY
“You gave us excellent advice on the differences between Medicare ‘traditional’ versus Medicare Advantage, to get past the advertising hype. The selection of Medicare supplement plans has mostly been working. Humana’s frequent calls and emails about generics and their online delivery are annoying, as their online bulk cannot provide most of the prescriptions Shelly is on. Otherwise, it’s working. The new costs have been a bit of a shock. Using GoodRx and similar helps. What Our Clients Think!
• Don’t accept money or gifts in exchange for “free” medical care.
• Don’t allow anyone except your doctor or other Medicare providers to recommend services or review your medical records.
• Don’t join a Medicare health or drug plan over the phone unless you have contacted the appropriate parties to do so directly.
• Visit bit.ly/40NdZhD to learn how Medicare legitimately uses your personal information.
• Treat your Medicare card as you would a credit card. Protect it from loss or theft, and don’t share the information with anyone you don’t know or trust. If you suspect fraud, contact Medicare at (800) 633-4227 to report it and to learn more about how to protect yourself against future incidents. Additionally, please let us know if you have encountered fraud so we can use this information to better inform our clients about what to avoid and how to protect themselves more effectively.
Please pass that on.” –David McClellan
“You always listen to my questions and give me the best advice for my Medicare benefits.” –Leslie Freeman
—Jason Mackey
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THE SPRINGTIME MONEY SHIFT SHARPEN YOUR TAX STRATEGY FOR NEXT YEAR
Ah, May … the time when your taxes are (hopefully) done for another year, and you can relax without thinking about them again until the first quarter of 2027.
Were you surprised to discover you had inadvertently left money on the table? Did you end up owing the IRS? Make sure that you’re withholding enough funds from your paycheck now to support your tax commitments next year. Additionally, consider how any major changes or activities you have planned for the remainder of the year (bonuses, home office use, cryptocurrency trading, etc.) may impact your filing moving forward. DECLUTTER YOUR DIGITAL DOCUMENTS. Years ago, you may have walked into your accountant’s office with a shoebox full of notes and paper receipts. While digital technology has enabled us to save a few trees each year, that doesn’t mean that your recordkeeping is any less cluttered. Rather than piling
up paperwork, you may have digital folders full of disorganized, misnamed, or unnecessary files. Take the time to ensure your digital bookkeeping is streamlined, with files easy to locate and access. STEER CLEAR OF SCAMS. As 2026 winds down and 2027 begins, incidents of tax-related fraud and scams are likely to ramp up. Avoid following advice from self-proclaimed “tax experts” on social media, as anyone can pretend to be anything online. Additionally, don’t respond to any calls or texts from people who claim to be from the IRS, especially if these people demand you pay money or take other immediate actions, and pay close attention to any links you receive to spot misspellings or anything else that may be suspicious.
Right? Wrong!
In reality, there’s no such thing as “tax season,” as staying on top of your finances and tax obligations is a year-long commitment. Here are three important considerations for how you can use the rest of this year to create a clearer (and potentially more financially beneficial) picture of your taxes going into 2027. ADJUST TO AVOID ANXIETY. With your 2026 tax filing finally out of the way, now is the perfect time to give yourself a midyear reality check. What worked with your filing? What didn’t?
WORD SEARCH
SHRIMP TACO SOUP
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
INGREDIENTS • 1 tbsp chili powder • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin • 1 tsp garlic powder • 1 tsp onion powder • 2 1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided • Black pepper, to taste • 3 tbsp olive oil • 1 small onion, diced
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1 red bell pepper, diced
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1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
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1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
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Jalapeño slices, chopped cilantro,
• • •
2 tsp agave 2 cups water
Greek yogurt, crushed tortilla chips, and lime wedges, for toppings as desired
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained 10 oz frozen corn
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1. In a small bowl, mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and pepper. 2. In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat, then add onion and peppers; cook 5–6 minutes. 3. Stir in seasoning mix. 4. Add tomatoes, agave, water, remaining salt, and more pepper to taste. Let simmer for 15 minutes. 5. Stir in beans and corn, then add shrimp. 6. Cook 4–5 minutes, until shrimp are cooked through. 7. Add desired toppings before serving. DIRECTIONS
BLOOM CINCO COMIC DERBY EMERALD GEMINI
GRADUATION LILY MEMORIAL MOTHER
RENEWAL VETERANS
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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THE DIGITAL PATH TO DAILY DEVELOPMENT
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PREVENT DATA PLUNDERING
WHAT OUR CLIENTS THINK
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SMARTER TAXES START NOW
SHRIMP TACO SOUP
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COMFORT, WARMTH, AND COURAGE
A BARK IN THE DARKNESS How a Devoted Dog Saved Her Owner in the Oregon Woods
Anyone who has a dog knows the warmth and comfort they can bring. And, sometimes, that care can be life-saving. When 82-year-old Karen Joyce Davis got lost in the Oregon woods, it was up to her devoted dog, Cami, to keep her safe and warm. The loyal Australian cattle dog never left her side on that cold night and helped rescuers locate her. Karen went missing on Dec. 29 after she was seen taking a walk with her dog and never returned home. With the cold weather, search-and-rescue volunteers sprang into action to find her.
The pair had managed to get lost in the rough terrain past the end of a forested road. Volunteers were told Karen had dementia, and Cami was known to stick by her in case she fell. One volunteer said she called out Cami’s name and heard a bark in the darkness, leading them right to the woman. “Without Cami, we likely would not have found her, and so the dog really did save her life,” the volunteer said. “The temperature was near freezing, and I don’t know if she would have made it overnight.” Rescuers treated Karen for hypothermia on site, and though she was very cold, she was alive and safe. Even as volunteers prepared
to transport Karen to the hospital, Cami continued to rest her head on her owner, providing extra support. The dog even showed her thanks by licking rescuers and getting some well-deserved pets. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media, thanking area residents and the team for their help in the search. The canine hero also got a special shout-out, thanking her for “being such a good dog.” In the end, Karen’s safe return was thanks to a little dog whose loyalty never wavered. Cami proves that sometimes the most important lifeline during an emergency is the warmth and comfort of a four-legged friend.
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