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MEDICAREBLUEPRINT.COM Health Matters
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
THE HIDDEN GIFT OF KINDNESS Long Days, Lasting Impact
I’m writing this cover article completely exhausted.
Thank you for reminding us of our purpose and for the honor of serving you.
Of course, you should always be kind to yourself as well. As many of you have changed your plans for this year, please ensure that you update your healthcare providers and pharmacists with any new information as needed. You never want to wait until you need to use your plan to realize that something important wasn’t brought up to date. If you have any questions about your plan as you begin the new year, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Every January is a new opportunity for us to be the best versions of ourselves. It’s also the beginning of what could be 12 months of unplanned trials and tribulations. Problems in life are inevitable, but we always have a choice in how we handle them. Above all, we should always focus on the bigger picture, treat others the way we want to be treated, and show kindness to as many people as possible.
Now, that might not be the most enticing opening sentence in the history of this newsletter, but it might be the most positive. By the time you receive this edition, Tim and I will have completed our end-of- year crunch to assist our clients in updating their plans for 2026. For us, the fourth quarter of any year is an all-hands-on-deck scenario, where we work virtually nonstop to ensure that everyone is set up with the best possible direction for their healthcare needs in the months ahead. Of course, the holidays also came into play, making the end of 2025 a whirlwind for everyone here. We wouldn’t have had it any other way. As hectic as things were, there wasn’t a second when we weren’t proud to be called upon by so many people. We’re in the business of helping others, so it’s humbling that so many clients trust and depend on us. I’ve always tried my best to be available to people, and I do everything I can to avoid saying “no” to anyone. This past season may have pushed my commitment to its limit, but that just means that we’re doing the right thing.
Looking to the future, it’s worth noting that Feb. 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day. It’s not a federal holiday, but it’s still essential. After all, how many times are our lives touched by generosity, either from a loved one or a total stranger? It could be something small, such as someone holding the door for us, or extraordinary, such as someone choosing to be an organ donor or contributing to a friend’s GoFundMe to help them overcome an emergency. At Medicare Blueprint Advisors, we’re at the receiving end of kindness every day. We never solicit referrals, but we still receive many from people who believe in us enough to encourage their friends and family to work with us. There’s nothing better than ending another Q4 and seeing the referrals come in. We do our best to reciprocate this kindness by sending out thank-you and birthday cards, but there’s no way we could ever fully express our gratitude to you for making every long day and missed hour of sleep worthwhile to us.
And with that, I’m going to get some rest. Happy New Year, everyone!
—Jason Mackey
888-335-9498
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New Year’s Day gets all the glory, but there are other special occasions this month worth celebrating … and they may expand and strengthen your mind in the process. January is National Brain Teaser Month , an excellent opportunity to challenge our minds through puzzles, games, and other activities that help keep us mentally fit and cognitively clear. Maintaining our mental acuity is extremely important, especially as we age. That’s one of the reasons why we regularly include word searches in our newsletter. Anything that keeps your mind focused, even when you’re taking a break or having fun, is never a bad thing! Aside from testing our thinking as often as possible, we can keep our minds sharp by following some simple habits. Medical experts report that quitting smoking, drinking no more than one alcoholic beverage per day, regularly participating in social activities, and exercising regularly all play a role in preserving our mental abilities. So, when you’re done reading this article, give our word search a try or take a refreshing walk. Your body and mind will thank you! While we’re on the topic of positive thinking, I’d like to add that Jan. 19 is Good Memory Day . It’s a special time set aside for us to remember and celebrate all the extraordinary moments that have brightened our lives and made us the people we are today. If you’re like me, you may not have much time for social media and prefer to preserve your memories the old-fashioned way through print photo albums. Although our phones mainly serve as portable cameras these days, there are still great ways to turn your digital memories into tangible images to enjoy. Bright Tips for Better Brains THE CEREBRAL SPARK
“Jason from Medicare Blueprint Advisors was a great help negotiating the process of moving from an ACA iplan to Medicare plus supplemental coverage and helping my wife maintain coverage under ACA. Jason provided excellent advice throughout the somewhat overwhelming process.” –Bill Boggs “Outstanding service. Fast, reliable, and made me feel confident in the healthcare plan I chose.” –Swan Hokstad What Our Clients Think!
For example, an online service called Chatbooks creates customized print photo books from submitted digital images. In addition to giving you and yours the ability to hold your memories in a book that’s uniquely yours, these options help you avoid the risk of losing your images if your phone or cloud-based technology somehow fails.
Who knew one of the best ways to tell your stories and share your memories in 2026 would be the same way you probably did it back in 1986 ?
—Jason Mackey
MEDICAREBLUEPRINT.COM
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NEW YEAR, NEW SCAM FRAUDSTERS STRIKE SOCIAL SECURITY
Beware of “official” documents from the Social Security Administration (SSA), as they could be officially bogus . According to a notice we recently received from the Office of the Inspector General of the SSA, a new scam targeting Social Security recipients is underway. Scammers are contacting potential victims through emails with the subject line “Alert: Social Security Account Issues Detected.” The email includes an attachment that may appear to be an official SSA letter stamped “Official Document” and “Official Government Communication.” This fraudulent correspondence claims that the recipient’s case is subject to criminal prosecution on several charges and that their Social Security number will be suspended after 24 hours. The letter’s verbiage pressures
the recipient to contact the SSA as soon as possible via a provided number.
so that you will respond and provide them with your personal information and money. If you get an unexpected call, text, email, letter, or social media message from SSA OIG or any government agency, pause and think ‘scam’ first. The person contacting you may not be who they claim to be.” Please contact ssa.gov/scam to report Social Security-related scams. You can stay up to date on the latest scam warnings by following the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General at x.com/#!/TheSSAOIG, facebook.com/oigssa, and linkedin.com/ company/ssa-oig . Additional consumer protection tips are available at the Federal Trade Commission’s website at ftc.org . —Jason Mackey
When this number is called, it is answered by a scammer who claims to be from “the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General,” or the caller may receive an automated message prompting the caller to send a text. The live scammer may even use the name of a real SSA employee to further the illusion of legitimacy. “The SSA Office of the Inspector General will never send letters like this,” stated Michelle L. Anderson, acting inspector general, in an official statement. “Scammers continue to exploit fear and confusion by using official-looking letters and real SSA employee names to threaten you and convince you they’re legitimate
WORD SEARCH
JALAPEÑO POPPER SOUP
Inspired by TheRecipeCritic.com
INGREDIENTS
1. Place a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, then remove to a plate. 2. Add jalapeños and onion to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. Add garlic to the pot and sauté for 1 minute. 4. Stir in chicken broth, cumin, salt, and potatoes, and simmer for 20 minutes. 5. Place cream cheese in a mixing bowl and add 1 ladle of hot broth before mixing. 6. Add cream cheese mixture to the pot and stir. 7. Remove from heat and add cheddar cheese and lemon juice, stirring until the cheese melts. 8. Pour into serving bowls, topping with bacon and more shredded cheese. DIRECTIONS
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4 bacon slices, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces 5–6 large jalapeño peppers, minced with stems and seeds removed 1/2 small onion, chopped 4 garlic cloves, minced
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4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 tsp cumin 1 1/2 tsp salt
BOOTS CANDLES CARNATION FURNACE
INSULATE JANUS OPPOSITE RESOLUTION SKATING SWEATER
1 lb gold potatoes, peeled and cut into bite- size pieces 8 oz full-fat cream cheese
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1 cup shredded fresh cheddar cheese 2 tbsp lemon juice
GARNET HOCKEY
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888-335-9498
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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THE MISSION THAT MOVES US FORWARD
2
THE MIND-AND-MEMORY MIX
WHAT OUR CLIENTS THINK
3
CROOKS SPARK CONCERN
JALAPEÑO POPPER SOUP
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TINY PAWS, BIG RESCUE: KITTEN HELPS MAN SURVIVE MOUNTAIN ORDEAL
SMALL HEARTBEAT, BIG RESCUE Kitten Keeps Trapped Climber Alive in Mountain Blizzard
Trapped in an icy mountain ravine, soaked and nearly frozen, 28-year-old Vladislav Duda contemplated what he feared would be the last night of his life. Escape from the ravine, more than 430 yards deep, was out of the question. Suffering from fatigue as hypothermia set in, Duda believed only one thing separated him from death: the furry warmth of his months-old kitten, Peach, huddled against his chest beneath his coat. Duda, a Ukrainian journalist, had undertaken a perilous journey in late 2024 across the Carpathian Mountains into Romania to avoid being drafted to fight in Ukraine’s war against Russia. Four days earlier, he had run out of food for his cat and himself, and they were surviving on icy water from melted snow.
Rescue workers from a regional mountain team had tried to reach Duda by helicopter, but hazardous blizzard conditions forced them to turn back. Instead, more than a dozen ground workers battled through deep snow in 14-degree temperatures into the ravine. When they finally reached Duda, they opened his coat and found the tiny orange tabby kitten curled against Duda’s chest. “The cat was warm, and was warming him,” Dan Benga, director of the Maramures Mountain Rescue Service, told The Associated Press. “He saved his life.” Asked if he was okay, Benga says that Duda told his rescuers, “I’m happy because my cat is alive. I got a chance from God for a new life. The happiest moment is
because the cat is here with me.” Although climbing out of the ravine took more than five hours, Duda held Peach close to his chest the entire way. Forced to turn the kitten over to rescue workers when he was placed in an ambulance, Duda begged them, “Please take care of the cat.” When Duda was rescued, he was one of roughly 160 Ukrainian men saved while crossing the mountains to avoid the draft. Sixteen others died trying. The rescue was “like a dream, after all I have been through,” Duda said. “Peach kept my heart warm, and he kept my faith alive.” Duda was treated for hypothermia at a nearby hospital. Peach was taken to a veterinary clinic nearby and, at last report, survived the ordeal in good health.
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