Ray's Retire Right Report Retire Right — Retire Smart! Raymond T. Martin, Retirement Coach and Medicare Planning
February 2026 Happy February! This month we celebrate Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year. Find interesting tidbits about both of those in this issue.
February is "National Laugh-Friendly Month" February 21st – 27th is "National Pancake Week" And February 14th is "Ferris Wheel Day"
Love Letters Work! It seemed like love at first sight when Ming-fu and Lee met at a party in Taiwan. They talked till 2:00am. They seriously dated for a while. After a year, Ming-fu asked Lee to marry him but she told him, "I'm not ready to get married.". They broke up but Ming-fu was undeterred. What could he do to win her hand in marriage? His solution was to every day write her a letter proclaiming his love. For nearly two years, 700 letters! Each letter was delivered by the same mailman who often commented to Lee, “Another letter from your boyfriend.” Those love letters paid off in an unexpected way. The postman’s daily visits blossomed into a romance. And when Lee finally felt ready to tie the knot, whom did she wed? The mailman who had faithfully delivered the 700 letters over two years!
How many miles of arteries, capillaries and veins are there in an average adult human body? (See the Answer Area.)
When a Medical Group Leaves Your Plan Receiving a notice that your medical group or doctors are no longer contracted with your Medicare Advantage HMO plan is something that should never be overlooked. These changes can directly impact where you receive care, how referrals are handled, and what you may pay out of pocket for services. When a medical group ends its contract with an insurance company, it usually means your doctors are considered out of network. This can result in higher costs, denied services, or the need to change providers altogether. Many beneficiaries are unaware of these consequences until they schedule an appointment or receive a bill. What’s important to know is that certain situations may allow Medicare beneficiaries a limited opportunity to review their coverage and explore whether another plan may better meet their needs. These opportunities are time-sensitive and depend on individual circumstances, which is why acting promptly is critical. Waiting too long could mean fewer—or no options. Understanding your current plan’s provider network, confirming whether your doctors are affected, and reviewing how your care may change are essential steps. Medicare rules can be complex, and provider changes are not always clearly explained in notices or letters. If you or any friends or family have received information about a provider contract ending, now is the time to ask questions. Speaking with a licensed Medicare professional can help you understand how this change affects you and whether any action is available. If you need to connect with us, email us at: Service@WeRetireSmart.com
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