Annual election period Archives

Here’s what to do next 🙂👇

Rocky Mountain Greetings🏔️ …

May this blog find you warmer than Miti and Plato🐼, with your Medicare coverage keeping away the cold🥶.

The Annual Election Period ended December 7th🎉. Medicare Supplements can be changed any month of the year (if you are healthy enough to get through underwriting🤞❓🩺.) We are always happy to review them if the premium gets too high!

If for some reason you didn’t reach out on your Medicare Advantage Plan for 2026, and you are unhappy, visit TheBig65 website and book a time in January to understand the Open Enrollment Period. Please email Gray@TheBig65.com if you have questions.

In our continuing effort to provide our Malagasy exchange student with firsts, we took her to Elk Creek to cut down a Christmas Tree🎄. Plato was definitely in his element🐶😄.

For $20 dollars, you get a permit and the right to search for the perfect tree.

After a while, you’re feet get cold and you have to give up on perfection and just make a choice.

My wife Q said the same thing is true about choosing husbands😉, but after 37 years, it’s too late for her to return me😂.

While we hunted for the perfect Xmas tree, Quantz was busy learning how to make a Christmas wreath.

As the year winds down, here are a few simple ways to wrap things up and step into the new year feeling steady and prepared:

Financial:
Take a look at the year—bank accounts, bills, subscriptions. Cancel what you don’t use. Simplicity going into January is a gift.

Health:
Schedule anything you’ve been putting off—annual checkups, eye exams, dental visits. A small appointment now can save bigger headaches later.

We visited the 40th Annual Festival of Lights at the Denver Botanical Garden with Miti and it was dazzling!

Medications & paperwork:
Make sure you have refills in place and your important documents organized in one spot. If you changed Medical or Drug plans, keep an eye out for the new cards. Fewer loose ends means less stress.

Also, if you’ve hit your maximum out of pocket drug costs ($2,000) for 2025, see if you can refill any of the expensive drugs before December 31. Next year, the drug maximum will be $2,100.

Movement & rest:
No big goals needed. Keep walking, stretching, or moving in ways you enjoy—and give yourself permission to rest.

Our brother-in-law, Sean, prepares the most delicious deep fried turkeys 🦃 I have EVER had. His birds are worth traveling for😋!

Perspective:
Notice what went right this year. Gratitude doesn’t need to be loud—just real.

Thank that friend or loved one in your life who makes each day better.

Family & the holidays:
Do your best, take breaks when you need them, and remember you don’t have to solve everything in one visit. Presence matters more than perfection.

Luke and Carmen couldn’t wait for Pearl, Hugo, and the grandvarmints to visit. Their children live half way around the world (Jarkata) and every moment together is a blessing.

Wherever you are and however you’re spending these final weeks…

I hope you find moments of calm, connection, and a little joy. The new year will be here soon—take it one episode of Christmas special at a time🙂.

Keep asking, “What’s the next big thing?”

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 10 organizations that offer 50 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

The End Is Near ⏳

Winter Greetings …

May this blog post find you well with your Medicare coverage working like an 😇.

The Annual Election Period ends tomorrow, December 7th🎉. If your Medicare Advantage Plan has ended (and you’ve received written notification), you have until December 31st to make a change.

Want to review your drugs one last time? Here’s a link to the Medicare.gov website.

If you’ve been procrastinating, email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com with any changes to your drugs and doctors. If you call, PLEASE leave a message 📱💬 with specifics!

We will do our best to help you before the deadline!

Real snow finally arrived in Colorado! Plato is thrilled; I’m not sure Mitia enjoyed the snow as much as Q did!

Of course Quantz taught Mitia how to make snow ice cream for breakfast and she definitely liked that😋!

I’m excited for the Annual Election Period to end, to have more time with family and to finally go chop down a Christmas tree with Mitia. We’ve been pulling out the old Christmas books and that sure is nostalgic.

Although this time of the year is insanely busy🤯, trying to squeeze everyone in📞, it’s always so much fun to catch up with folks from all over the country.

I love to hear stories about how clients are living their best lives. Mary spends as much time as possible with Auggie on the trails of northern California.

Jeri and her husband John get out with Miss Koda as much as possible in Central Ohio, even in the bad weather.

And Miss Hillary, in the mountains of Georgia, spoils her Yorkie Munchkin (and her two Chihuahuas) as much as possible.

I don’t think Munchy does a ton of hiking, but he definitely gets and gives joy to everyone around him.

Wherever you are, I hope you find a little joy today and a way to make life better for those around you!

Keep asking, “What’s the next big thing?”

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

🌟 Notice the blessing, not the blemish 🌟

Northern Light greetings …

May this note find you well, with your Medicare Insurance keeping you in the pink.

Questions about your Medicare Insurance? Email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com, or book a time on my calendar.

I missed the Northern Lights twice while visiting Iceland. I guess I should’ve just stayed in Colorado. Did you see them where you live?

Despite all the Medicare madness, it’s been fun catching up with so many of you during this Annual Election Period. I enjoy reconnecting (even on quick calls) with the same people year after year.

Staying connected, looking back, and looking forward.

99% of the calls are invigorating (even when finding the right plan is a challenge), but ever so occasionally, I chat with someone who will only focus on the bruise, never on the blessing.

What always amazes me in these calls? It’s often the people with the greatest challenges (to health and life and family) who show the deepest gratitude for the blessings in their lives.

(Our exchange student Miti can now ride a bicycle).

My father in law said it best…

Being born in America is like winning the lottery.

In no way do I wish to minimize the struggles many face, and still…, as Viktor Frankl’s book reminds us in Man’s Search for Meaning,

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

Being at home for much of this year and re-seeing the world through the eyes of a young girl who comes from the 9th poorest nation on planet…

Well, it gives us pause daily to stop and reflect on how much in our lives are actually working…

And to think about the blessings instead of the bruises.

(Speaking of small things, we’ve been sending out our honey to those who wrote Google reviews. If we still owe you honey, please let us know. Or…write a review and get some while supplies last!)

This year I learned the importance of mouse guards to protect the hives from vermin— and it got me thinking about how we also need guardrails to keep negativity from sneaking into our minds.

Research shows that reducing anxiety frees up cognitive resources, improving executive functioning, working memory, and attention.

Happiness keeps Plato sharp, and he’s almost eleven!

So when you find yourself going into that angry/anxious place, flip the script.

Remind yourself that you still have the power to choose.

Focus on the strife, the chaos and the destruction, or…

Celebrate that, this week, Miti is learning how to swim. The choice is always ours!

Keep squeezing the juice🍊 out of life and look for ways to help others.

Refer A Friend

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Happy Day of the Dead💀!

Happy Halloween🎃 and Día de los Muertos💀🎉,

We’re hoping November 1st finds you in your finest form, with your Medicare Insurance working as it should📋🏥👍.

If you are unsure, e-mail Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com, or book a time on my calendar.

Remember when your varmints were pipsqueaks? You blink one day, then they’re up and out. How the hell did that happen🤔?

Of course we miss em’, but it sure beats the alternative… them living in the basement and never growing up🧔‍♂️👕🩳🎮🍕🥤🛋️🏠⬇️

Yet on cold November mornings, it doesn’t stop us from reminiscing!

We were in Southern California at the time of this picture, a stone’s throw from Disneyland, scraping by as young parents, but we always got pumpkins. I mean ya gotta have pumpkins, right?

Now we see our adult kids, navigating their own adventures, moving at light speed, and we know they’re just like us… too busy to appreciate the magic of the moment.

Still, I love to carve pumpkins. And that’s the point of traditions and rituals, maintaining connection and meaning, passing it on to the next generation.

My Dad would’ve been 100 this week. I still miss him every time I move a bishop, but I’m glad he’s gone. He died on his own terms, never a burden to the ones he loved.

I hope, when it’s my time, in 5 minutes or 50 years, that I depart with his grace.

So many things are beyond our control, but there are plenty of things we can do to make the passing less painful for those we love when it eventually happens:

Update our wills and keep the beneficiaries current.
Establish or revisit medical power of attorney and advance directives.
Make sure someone you trust knows where important documents are located.

Review your financial and insurance plans regularly so loved ones aren’t left guessing.

These steps won’t erase uncertainty — nothing can — but they can give us agency, dignity, and peace of mind.

And they’ll make life a little easier for the people we care about most, when the time comes.

Client Judy is doing her best to make sure abominable snowman doesn’t have to worry about her 😆.

When Q took Miti to a coffin race in Colorado Springs last weekend, complete strangers reached out and welcomed Miti to America. The dude on the left put his hat on Miti for a photo.

Despite the noise, anger, and the fear amplified by social media, remember the reality:

Americans are the kindest, most decent people you will ever meet anywhere in the world.

I will never minimize the challenges we face, but always remember…

There is no them, there is only us!

If you see the world as broken, you’re right! If you see the world as fixable, you’re also right!

When Miti returns to Madagascar next summer, she’ll return to one of the poorest nations on the earth. Her country is broken by corruption, poverty, and political unrest.

So when she hears talk about the problems we face here in the US, she looks at us in disbelief.

“What problems?” She asks. Perspective is everything.

So on this Día de los Muertos, give thanks for what you have and live this day as if it were your last!

Keep squeezing the juice🍊 out of life and look for ways to help others.

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

🦢 Ever had a swan steal your stroopwaffel 🧇😄?

Groetjes (that means “greetings” in Dutch) …

May the sun🌞 be shining on you, may your bicycle be covered in flowers🌷, and may your Medicare Insurance Coverage be protecting you like the dykes 🛤️ protect my mother’s hometown, Amsterdam.

Speaking of floods🌊, the Annual Election Period begins next Wednesday, October 15th. If you received a letter that your plan is going away, please book a time on my calendar.

Not sure you need an appointment🤔? Email Gray any changes in your medications💊 or physicians🧑‍⚕️to Gray@TheBig65.com.

We will review your info and we will let you know if we need to speak. We have until December 7th, so don’t worry.

I was walking the canals of my late mother’s hometown and came upon this spectacle. Perhaps he’s a little understated😜, but the Dutch do love their flowers and their bikes🚲!

On this visit, I fulfilled a lifetime dream… to overnight in a houseboat! The bed was on cables above the bathtub (I had to pull it down to sleep) and my office was the window sill looking out over the canal. Check out this video if you want to see the space.

While chatting with a client in Florida, I nearly spit out my coffee 😮 when this swan stuck his head in the window and tried to grab my stroopwaffel! Sometimes, you just have to say no to nature, right?

It was bittersweet to see my dear friend Leo. Earlier in the year, he lost his spouse and, though he is adjusting admirably to life on his own, we all know how hard it is to lose the love of your life.

Remember to tell the people you love how much you love them today! We never know what happens tomorrow.

While walking the canals, I came across the Singelkerk, the 400 year old Mennonite secret house church where my mother and her family worshipped before they emigrated to Wooster, Ohio in the early 50’s.

It warmed my heart to sit in a pew where I’m sure she must have sat, reminding me of the song, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

As a school girl during the Second World War, mom walked past Anne Frank’s house every day on the way to school, not knowing about the family hidden inside.

Meanwhile, back home in Colorado, Q reported that all is well. Miti, our exchange student from Madagascar, is enjoying high school and running on the cross country team.

Can you imagine growing up in an orphanage in one of the poorest countries in the world and suddenly living in the US? Talk about culture change!

Her English is getting better and better. Miti is a thoughtful young woman and we are very proud of the progress she is making.

While running her weekly Meals on Wheels route, Quantz saw a bunch of screaming Magpies heckling a small animal. After scaring away the birds, a frightened, friendly ferret jumped right into her arms and quickly fell asleep.

Q knocked on all the neighborhood doors but no one had any idea to whom the ferret belonged.

Q put out messages on Facebook, but she informed me if no one responds, we have a new pet named Fluffy😨! Dang!

That’s what I get for leaving Quantz at home unattended!

So it goes in the Bruns-Kyler house: life is constantly filled with surprises😲.

Remember: It’s not what happens, but how we choose to respond.

Live like my buddy Dave the dog trainer. If the world went to hell, he’s the guy you’d want at your side.

Despite all the noise, there’s plenty of love and meaning in this world, but it’s up to us to find it! What are you waiting for?

Keep squeezing the juice🍊 out of life and look for ways to help others.

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

🧺🍄🔍 Hunting for mushrooms… or Medicare answers? Bring a trusted guide.

Mountain Greetings! September is almost over and we hope your Medicare Insurance Coverage is keeping you as healthy as a good walk in the woods🌲🚶!

New plans come out in October. If your medications💊 or physicians🧑‍⚕️have changed, please email the changes to Gray@TheBig65.com.

The Annual Election Period begins October 15th, so book a time on my calendar if we need to speak.

If anyone calls you without permission, beware⚠️! We had to save another client this week, she was promised a food card by a duplicitous call center📞. Thank goodness we were able to correct the problem😅.

After visiting our Air Force son in Italy, I had the privilege of mushroom hunting in the Alsace with Rene. His daughter Pauline lived with us and attended high school in Atlanta many moons ago and we’ve stayed in touch ever since.

Rene began hunting mushrooms as a boy and he invited his buddy Boris (and Boris’ St Bernard) and me to join him🧺🍄🔍.

My mother was an avid mushroom hunter. Though I never paid much interest as boy, this I did learn…

Never eat a mushroom unless you are certain it isn’t poisonous🍄☠️. According to Rene, these are probably poisonous, so we left them alone.

After couple of hours of exploring we filled our bags with chanterelles…

And porcini mushrooms.

But before I put a single mushroom in my bag, I was certain to show it to Rene for confirmation that tonight’s dinner would not be our last.

Thankfully, we had a delightful dinner of mushrooms in their home and I got to spend time with Pauline and her family and keep the connections going.

But, here’s the thing I learned from my very tech savvy daughter back in the US. Whether it’s mushrooms, medical care, or insurance:

DO NOT RELY ON AI TO MAKE YOUR DECISIONS. AI is an amazing tool for research, education, and perspective, but it should be treated as a starting point, not the final word.

Use AI to get clarity and education, to help you prepare questions, and to double-check your own thinking, but…

✅ Always confirm with a human expert who knows you and your situation.

And when it comes to Medicare, that’s why I’m here—to help you cut through the noise and make choices that fit your life so you can spend more time with the people you love…

Even if they aren’t really French, right Quantz? Tell her I’ll be home soon, probably!

And do keep squeezing the juice🍊 out of life and look for ways to help others.

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Here’s How to Maximize Your Medicare💪🩺!

Greetings and may this note find you in amazing health 💪 with your Medicare insurance coverage 🏥 working properly.

We’re now into the Annual Election Period and it’s sticky business🍯, yes-siree!

I sure hope you’re ignoring the telemarketers📞⚠️☠️ and the misleading Facebook/TV ads that promise free money. I talked with two clients who were totally lead astray.

Just like marriage, and honey production🍯🐻, Medicare is a team effort.

If you want us to give your plan the once over BEFORE setting an appointment, shoot us an email and I’ll let you know if you actually need to book a time. We’re working through a bunch of those and we will get them ALL answered.

If you have a pressing issue that needs immediate attention, please use this email link and Gray will make sure we get it done.

If your drugs, doctors, or your plan have changed significantly, book a time on my calendar here 🗓️. No need to fill out a new drug list.

Thanks to Q, lots of honey went out this week. If you’d like some, feel free to leave us a review on Google or Facebook.

Our daughter Sus came down last weekend to celebrate my birthday and it sure was fun to carve pumpkins, reminisce, and spend time together. Remember when your varmints were small?

Life’s great joys come from spending time with the ones you love, so it’s important to do everything we can to stay healthy…for their sake! Nobody wants to be a burden.

Unfortunately, our healthcare system often focuses on treating the symptoms… after the problem, instead of before.

The good news is Medicare (both Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans) covers a wide range of preventive services to help us remain healthy. Many of these services come at no additional cost to you, so why not take advantage of them?

Each year, you’re entitled to a wellness visit where you can discuss your health and set up a personalized prevention plan. This is a great time to talk with your doctor about any screenings or vaccines you might need.

Speaking of need, one thing I don’t need is rock climbing😨! But you can see (up high) that Sus is a fan!

Consider Flu shots as we head into the colder months. Medicare covers these shots along with others like the pneumonia and hepatitis B vaccines.

Surprisingly, flu vaccinations were associated with a significantly lower risk of dementia. Staying vaccinated also helps prevent serious illnesses that could lead to hospital visits.

Sus surprised us with tickets to see the musical “Hamilton.” It was incredible and none of us got the flu🙂🤞.

Medicare offers several free cancer screenings, including mammograms, pap smears, and colonoscopies. Early detection can make all the difference when it comes to treatment, so be sure to schedule your screenings.

Don’t these two look like they’re ready for a Hollywood screening!

Keeping track of your cholesterol and blood pressure is key to heart health. Medicare covers cardiovascular screenings that can detect conditions early before they become serious problems.

Plato and I may need a statin after Q prepared this lemon pound cake for the Big 64! It was delicious.

If you’re at risk for Type 2 diabetes, Medicare covers a diabetes prevention program, which includes lifestyle changes to help prevent the onset of diabetes.

If you test your blood sugar at home, the company Advanced Diabetes Supplies (ADS) will set up for home delivery of your diabetic supplies, at NO ADDITIONAL cost! Here is a link to their website.

My little brother Haas and I compete to stay healthy. I’m convinced part of the reason he does so well is because he catches, hunts, and grows most of the things he eats.

If you’ve been thinking about quitting smoking, Medicare covers counseling sessions to help you kick the habit for good. This benefit is available whether or not you’ve shown signs of tobacco-related disease.

By taking advantage of these free services, you can catch health problems early, stay on top of chronic conditions, and prevent future issues. These preventive services are part of Medicare’s commitment to helping you live a healthier, fuller life. Remember, it’s never too late to prioritize your health!

And do remember to keep moving just like my buddies Jason and Cary. We do power yoga at 5:30 AM during the week in room that’s over 100 degrees. That’s gotta be good for something, right?

Keep squeezing the juice out of life and look for ways to help others!

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

Here’s the Hidden Hospice Help Medicare Offers!

Greetings and may this blog find you in amazing health 💪 with your Medicare insurance coverage 🏥 working properly.

The Annual Election Period began Tuesday, October 15th 😱! It’s been fun catching up with so many of you all over the place.

If you’re happy with your coverage, you may not have to do anything, most plans will roll over automatically. We have till December 7th and there are plenty of slots in November.

If you want us to give your plan the once over BEFORE setting an appointment, shoot us an email and I’ll let you know if you actually need to book a time.

If you have a pressing issue that needs immediate attention, please use this email link and Gray will make sure we get it done.

If your drugs, doctors, or your plan have changed significantly, book a time on my calendar here 🗓️. No need to fill out a new drug list.

Just remember to IGNORE the telemarketers📞⚠️☠️ and the misleading TV ads. Plato says Halloween is scary enough, don’t let the bad guys get you!

I’m happy to report that Q made it home safely on Monday after adding 9 countries to her total of 82! Plato couldn’t contain himself (and yes I gave him a bath before she arrived).

Once she gets settled, we will be sending out the honey🍯🐻 to everyone who was kind enough to give us a review on Google or Facebook. We still have plenty so feel free to click the links if you’ve been pleased with our service.

This week I received helpful advice from several amazing clients in hospice. You might think hospice care is only for the final days of life, but for Medicare recipients diagnosed with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s, qualifying for hospice earlier could improve quality of life significantly and reduce some costs.

Here’s a simplified guide on why you should consider hospice sooner—and when it might be too early.

Hospice isn’t just for cancer patients—it also supports those with advanced Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s, providing care when symptoms become severe, quality of life declines, or when curative treatments are no longer effective.

Hospice care may be accessed by someone with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s when they show a major decline in their mental or physical abilities.

This could mean they struggle with basic tasks like eating, bathing, or moving around. Other signs include rapid weight loss, ongoing infections like pneumonia, difficulty recognizing family members, or frequent trips to the hospital. These changes can indicate it’s time to consider hospice support.

Here are some benefits people receive under hospice care:

Pain and symptom management
Medical care from doctors and nurses specialized in end-of-life care
Emotional and spiritual support for the patient and family
Medications
Medical equipment (e.g., hospital bed, wheelchair) and supplies (e.g., bandages)
Assistance with personal care, such as bathing and dressing
Respite care for family caregivers
Grief counseling and bereavement support for loved ones
24/7 access to care and support

Hospice care is not available for individuals with mild memory loss or occasional confusion.

If someone can still handle daily activities with minimal help and their condition is stable, managed by medication or therapy, hospice benefits wouldn’t be available.

The good news is that Plato still knows where he lives.

To start hospice care, talk to your primary doctor or specialist to see if it’s the right time. You can also contact a hospice provider directly—they’ll work with your doctor to assess eligibility and guide you through your Medicare benefits.

The bottom line, if you or someone you know is struggling with these issues, hospice may offer additional tools for the individual and the family. Share this if you think it will help.

Fortunately Annette and Mark’s Mastiff named Boris shows no sign of decline, even if he does believe he is the world’s largest Beanie Baby 😆!

And even though Annabelle and Daisy Mae may not the win the largest Beanie Baby award compared to Boris, I still think Frank and Brigitte own two of the cutest critters I’ve seen in a while.

Finally, here’s a big shout out to Wietze in Georgia. He’s in his fifth year of volunteering with the AARP Foundation Tax Aid Program. In this program, people can get their taxes done for free, yes FREE.

The primary clients are low income seniors but the only limitations are that the return cannot be too complicated. If you need help or would like to volunteer, check out the link. Thanks to Wietze for sharing!

Keep squeezing the juice out of life and look for ways to help others!

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Never go to the doctor alone👨‍⚕️⚠️😬!

Greetings and may this blog find you in amazing health 💪 with your Medicare insurance coverage 🏥 working properly.

Last week it was North Carolina🌧️, this week it’s Florida🌪️, what’s next🤪?

Oh yeah, the Annual Election Period starts Tuesday, October 15th 😱! I’ve already spoken with dozens of clients. Some will need to make changes, most won’t😌.

Just remember to IGNORE the telemarketers📞⚠️☠️ and the misleading TV ads. They’re like racoons, if you feed them, you’ll be sorry🦝!

Here’s the deal:

If your drugs 💊 and doctors👨‍⚕️ have changed significantly🔄…
If your plan is ending or the premiums have gone way up 💲…
If you’re unsure your coverage📄is still meeting your needs🤔…

Then please book a time on my calendar here 🗓️.

If you are an existing client, there’s no need to fill out a new drug list.

Gray will reach out and update your medications and doctors before we speak. If you can’t find a time that works, email Gray@thebig65.com and he will get you on my calendar 🗓️.

Plato says thank you SO MUCH❤️ to clients Jean, Cindy J, Claire, Maryellen, Annette, Karen, Wietze, Carol G, Bill J, Robyn, Lisa, Elizabeth, Robert, and Terrye for the 5 Star Google reviews that took us to over 300 reviews🎉!

Small honey bears from our hive🍯will go out next week when my wife Q gets home from her adventures in Belgium. Yes indeed, Quantz may actually be coming home🤞.

If you’d like a small honey bear🍯🐻(smaller than neighbor Ed’s) from my bees, please post a Google Review with this link IF you’ve been happy with our service.

If you don’t have a Gmail account, you can leave a review on Facebook. That’ll be good for a honey🍯🐻as well. If you already posted a review on the Facebook Big 65 page, please reply to this email and you’ll get your honey, honey😂🤣!

Now the important message: Why you should never go to to the doctor👨‍⚕️alone!

(or take an ice bath❄️🛁 at 43 degrees without your Doodle nearby!)

It’s always better to have someone with you at the doctor’s office.

A spouse or a friend can help you remember things and provide support.

Be sure to get the doctor to look you in the eye👁️ and always ask the question:

“Doc, what would YOU do in this situation? If I was your Mom/Dad what would you recommend?”

Doctor visits can be overwhelming. A friend or family member can:

Take Notes: They can jot down what’s important so you don’t have to worry about missing anything.
Ask Questions: Sometimes they’ll think of things you didn’t.
Offer Support: If you’re feeling nervous or unsure, having someone there can help.

If someone goes with you, when you get home you can reprocess the information and reduce the chances of making a mistake. Don’t be like this prairie dog and stick your head in the ground. It’s a good thing to ask for help!

Here are some apps on your phone you might consider downloading and using:

Otter.ai: Records and transcribes your appointment so you can listen back later.
MyChart: Lets you access your medical records and test results anytime.
Google Keep: A simple way to take notes and track questions.
CareClinic: Helps you keep track of meds, symptoms, and appointments.

If you have to go alone (or even if someone comes with you), let technology be your friend!

Never underestimate the value of support during a medical appointment. A second set of ears or a bit of technology will increase your chances of making good decisions.

Support includes face timing with the people you love, like little Greta, the daughter of one of our exchange students from Germany. Grand varmints, life’s great joy ❤️!

Speaking of good decisions, I think my brother Robert made a great one… spending time with his granddaughter Nel in New York City. Enjoy the Big Apple brother (and please send me a bagel)🥯.

Keep squeezing the juice out of life and look for ways to help others!

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

The AEP Countdown: 5 Steps to Prepare Now

Greetings and may this blog find you in amazing health 💪 with your Medicare insurance coverage 🏥 working properly. Big prayers 🙏 to everyone in North Carolina experiencing the floods.

Remember, the Annual Election Period doesn’t begin until October 15th. Please don’t book a time BEFORE October 15th. Otherwise, Quantz and her friends in Ethiopia will be very put out.

You should have received our letter and the QR code on a jar opener like this to book a time for after October 15th. Here’s the link just in case.

If you’d like a small jar of honey🍯(smaller than Emerson’s cause he gets our mail), anyone with a Gmail address who writes a Google review with this link will get a jar. We have 297 and we’re trying to break 300 reviews!

If you don’t have a Gmail account, please leave a review on Facebook. That’ll be good for a jar of honey🍯 as well.

If you’ve already booked a time, Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com, or I will be calling to update your drugs and perhaps reschedule for later in October.

Don’t worry, we won’t give you any lip if you booked early😂.

From October 15th till December 7th, my mission is to get you out of any tight spots if:

Your plan was dropped😱.
Your drugs changed 💊.
Plan premiums went up 💵.
You’ve added or changed doctors👩‍⚕️.
You would like to make sure everything is ok 😬.

Here is my motto for the Annual Election Period:

I suspect Art and Esther’s new 5 month old Red Labrador Ruby will be well taken care of, too. Hopefully their Boxer Stella is on board with the project.

For those of you who are curious, Q did make it successfully out of Africa.

She had the trip of a lifetime, seeing extraordinary religious festivals like Meskel, commemorating the discovery of the Cross by Empress Helena (Constantine’s mother) in the 4th century. Ethiopia is a very religious country.

Q visited many different tribes and saw coming of age rituals (like this boy becoming a man jumping over the six white bulls).

I was tempted to join her in Madagascar and Ethiopia but even though Gray is available…

As your broker, I will only visit countries with excellent internet 💻📱so that you can always get a hold of me if you need me.

But after seven weeks apart, I couldn’t take it any more so…

I surprised her for a few days in this European capital famous for Mermaids…

Viking ships…

And excellent internet (which I used into the wee hours every night I was here). By the time you read this…I’ll already be back in Denver, ready for the busy season.

And though I’m back home, ready to catch up with everyone who needs me, Q is still exploring. She’s the one who inspired the motto at the end of every newsletter. That’s why I love her❤️.

Keep squeezing the juice out of life and look for ways to help others!

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including: