Check out our latest newsletter!
MEDICAREBLUEPRINT.COM Health Matters
MARCH/APRIL 2026
MEDICARE FACTS, FRUSTRATIONS, AND FOCUS Pills, Prices, and Peace of Mind
The world of health care is moving faster than a speeding headline.
the much-discussed trumprx.org website, announced late last year by President Trump, was still just a landing page with a “coming soon” message as this newsletter went to print. Mentioning these things is not a political statement, just a brief overview of where we are. Naturally, these are the sort of things that keep our clients up at night and our phones busy. With most things in health care being such a moving target these days, it’s no surprise that some clients are frustrated by the miscommunication and outright misinformation circulating. As one example, I recently received a call from a client who was upset that a particular drug she needed wasn’t covered under WellCare Value Script. I went to medicare.gov , entered the client’s zip code and other information, and confirmed that the medication was indeed covered. The client may have visited a non- participating pharmacy, which told me the drug wasn’t available. But in reality, she didn’t have anything to worry about. Thankfully, some quick thinking and digging on my part gave her a much-needed sense of relief after a stressful moment. Speaking of medicare.gov , that site is the fastest resource for accurate information on medications and other aspects of
your plan. Most websites can be tricky to navigate before you get used to them, but visiting medicare.gov regularly will help you clear up confusion well before panic sets in. We’re always here to help you every step of the way in understanding and using your plan, but using the site will provide an added layer of comfort and help you feel more autonomous in making your plan work for you. Detailing everything about the current state of drug pricing would require a 10-page article. Still, the most significant takeaway is that price reductions are finally being discussed in a potentially positive way. I’m encouraged to see these talks occurring after all these years, but I’m also aware that it could be slow walking before all the pieces finally fit. With change being the only constant in life, I urge you to stay informed, visit medicare.gov , and contact us if your due diligence still leaves you feeling lost in the dark. Until next time, we wish you good health and peace of mind as the year moves forward. Medicare can be as confusing as it is helpful, but know that you never have to feel alone and unheard for as long as we’re in business.
Of all the things impacting the lives of Medicare-eligible people, the high cost of pharmaceuticals is among the most critical. It’s common for me to have emotional conversations with clients who find themselves either having to pay more than they expected under Medicare or stuck in that unfortunate area where they make a little too much money for Medicare but can’t afford their medications without considerable struggle. Sadly, the push for lower drug prices has been a constant topic in my career since my early days as a pharmaceutical rep … back in 1985! Unfortunately, the picture isn’t much clearer these days. On the positive side, the Inflation Reduction Act established Medicare price negotiations for 10 high-priced drugs: Eliquis, Jardiance, Xarelto, Januvia, Farxiga, Entresto, Enbrel, Imbruvica, Stelara, and NovoLog. Last fall, it was reported that the Trump administration reached voluntary pricing agreements with 16 drug companies to lower the prices of additional medications. However, initial reports from late January indicated that each of these companies subsequently raised list prices on some of the drugs it manufactures. Additionally,
—Tim Hanbury
888-335-9498
1
Although winters in South Carolina aren’t as extreme as in other parts of the country, spring’s arrival is still a welcome event, and more significant to our lives and the world around us than we realize. Here are three facts about spring that make this time of year feel even more special. HAPPINESS, HOLIDAYS, AND HARMONY In addition to typically allowing us to enjoy longer days and warmer weather, spring ushers in a host of holidays that bring us closer together. Whether it’s religious (Easter, Passover), family- oriented (Mother’s Day and Father’s Day), fun-loving (April Fool’s Day), or globally minded (Earth Day), there are plenty of reasons to shake off the final remnants of winter and spend more time with family and friends. Speaking of springtime holidays, Easter is one of the few significant seasonal events that doesn’t have a set date each year due to the moon. All the way back in the year 325, Christian leaders decided that the holiday would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. SUNLIGHT SEASON SURPRISES Fascinating Spring Facts
“Jason, you thoroughly research and make recommendations on our needs each year. We appreciate your time and attention to detail. We enjoy working with you and your staff. We have the utmost confidence in your suggestions.” –Holly Smith “Tim provides me with the options that fit my needs and lets me decide the best choice.” –William Argentieri What Our Clients Think!
DARKNESS, DAYLIGHT, AND DIVIDES While spring usually means sunshine and blooming flowers in this part of the world, not everyone is so lucky. In the South Pole, the season’s arrival kickstarts a period of darkness of up to six months. Fortunately, the North Pole fares much better, as the seasonal change brings along several months of 24/7 daylight. SCIENCE, SURPRISES, AND SPRING FEVER Uncovering the origins of popular expressions can be fascinating. Although “spring fever” is synonymous today with cleaning binges and outdoor fun, it was first used as a medical term in the 18th century. As winter affected crops and forced people to spend more time indoors, physicians noted a rise in scurvy due to vitamin C depletion and a lack of fresh vegetables during the colder months. Fortunately, the phrase outlived the unpleasant circumstances that initially surrounded it!
—Jason Mackey
MEDICAREBLUEPRINT.COM
2
FRESH AIR FIRST NATURE’S PATH TO IMPROVED HEALTH
Sometimes, the greatest medicine we’ll ever receive can be found right outside our door. While it’s not a revelation that spending time in nature (especially during good weather) is excellent for our physical and mental well-being, studies conducted over the past few years suggest that the extent of these benefits is far greater than previously imagined. For example, a 2019 study at the University of Chicago found that adults living in public housing units displayed better memory, greater attention, and stronger cognitive functioning in areas with green spaces than in those with limited natural environments. In a cognitive health
study in Australia, researchers found that simply looking at nature, even indoors, can significantly improve our problem- solving abilities. In the study, students were asked to engage in the intentionally dull task of pressing a computer key whenever a particular number appeared on their screen. Those who looked out the window at the flowers placed on a nearby roof halfway through the task for just 40 seconds made fewer mistakes on their computer than those who spent the same amount of time viewing a nearby plain concrete rooftop. Of course, some of the most significant benefits of natural sunlight have been known for some time. Taking advantage of sunny days can strengthen your immune
system, help combat depression, reduce inflammation, preserve cognitive abilities, and support bone health. Additionally, it’s a fantastic source of vitamin D, which the National Institutes of Health cautions is often lower in seniors than in younger people due to less time spent outdoors. Research suggests that it can take as little as 15 minutes in natural sunlight each day to help put these benefits into motion. So, the next time you feel low or restless, take a few minutes to enjoy the fresh air. You may be surprised by how little time it takes to make a huge impact on your mind and body. —Tim Hanbury
WORD SEARCH
ST. PATRICK’S DAY SHAMROCK SWIRL PIE
Inspired by MixUpRecipes.com
INGREDIENTS • 1 cup heavy cream •
• •
1/2 cup mint chocolate chips 1/4 cup green food coloring, for vibrant color 1 premade chocolate pie crust 1/2 cup chocolate syrup, for drizzling
8 oz cream cheese, softened
• •
1 cup powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract
• •
1. In a mixing bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. 2. In a separate bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. 3. Add powdered sugar and vanilla to cream cheese, mixing until well combined. Then, gently fold whipped heavy cream into the mixture. 4. Divide mixture into two bowls. In one bowl, add mint chocolate chips and green food coloring. 5. Layer mixtures into chocolate pie crust, alternating between mint mixture and the plain mixture. 6. Drizzle chocolate syrup over top. 7. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set. Slice and serve chilled. DIRECTIONS
BASKETBALL BOOKS
LEPRECHAUN POPCORN RAINY SHAMROCK SUFFRAGE WINDY
DAFFODIL DAYLIGHT GUINNESS IRIS
888-335-9498
3
7 GAMECOCK AVE., STE. 709 CHARLESTON, SC 29407 888-335-9498 MEDICAREBLUEPRINT.COM
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
TRUSTED ADVICE WHEN QUESTIONS ARISE
2
CURIOUS TRUTHS BEHIND BLOOM TIME
WHAT OUR CLIENTS THINK
3
GREEN VIEWS, RENEWED VITALITY
ST. PATRICK’S DAY SHAMROCK SWIRL PIE
4
RESCUE DOG SERVES AS A LIFELINE TO TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN
she realized she had found the right one. She describes Sgt. Bo as “an old soul in a young dog’s body” who enjoys helping humans in distress. One of Sgt. Bo’s early assignments was to comfort Covenant School’s surviving students as they were reunited with their parents after the 2023 shooting, which claimed the lives of three children, three adults, and the shooter, a former student. Sgt. Bo was selected by the American Humane Society as America’s 2025 Hero Dog for his service to the kids of Nashville, beating out four impressive canine runners-up. Hundreds of dogs are nominated every year for the award, and the public then votes on five semifinalists. Calling Sgt. Bo’s story “inspiring,” Humane Society President Dr. Robin Ganzert said, “This scruffy superstar embodies everything the American Humane Society looks for in a dog: service, resiliency, and love.” His work, she added, “is a beautiful testament to the healing power of the human-animal bond.”
FROM HOMELESS MUTT TO HERO A Former Stray Helping Others Heal
Just three years ago, law enforcement officers in Brevard County, Florida, picked up a scruffy stray dog with bad skin allergies who was wandering the streets. Seeing potential in the mutt, they enrolled him in a training program for therapy and comfort dogs. In a remarkable transformation, the former stray was recently named a national “hero dog” for comforting dozens of elementary school students after a mass shooting at Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. Guided by his handler, Faye Okert, Sgt. Bo offered snuggles, warmth, and emotional support to children traumatized by the tragedy. “When he walks into a room, he knows who needs his help,” Okert says. “They instantly feel safe and comforted.”
Sgt. Bo seemed destined for a shelter for homeless pets in 2022 when the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office enrolled him in their Paws and Stripes College, a program that trains carefully selected homeless dogs to be therapy and comfort companions. After learning about the program, Okert, an officer at the time with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, contacted the College to adopt a graduate of the program. After seeing Sgt. Bo’s photo, however, Okert almost passed him up. He was battling skin allergies at the time and looked so scruffy that Okert was afraid people would make fun of him. She traveled to Florida, planning to ask for a different dog. But after watching Sgt. Bo in training and meeting him face-to-face,
MEDICAREBLUEPRINT.COM
4
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator