Colorado Archives

Screen Time and the Pursuit of Happiness

Greetings from Valparaiso.

May this blog post find you in great health with your Medicare coverage working properly.

Well, the Bruns-Kylers are continuing their adventure in South America. You know I encourage each of you to seek out your own adventures, whether at home or abroad, so I’m doing my best to live by these words.

But don’t worry, I work from wherever we are exploring.

Remember, if you’re having problems with your coverage, reach out to Gray or book a time on my calendar if it’s complicated. We’ll get it fixed, I promise.

Before leaving Bogota, we had the pleasure of reconnecting with Flo, the daughter of Quantz’s French cousin who lived with us in Denver last year. She is studying Spanish and volunteering before starting grad school next year. What a surprise to see her in Colombia.

Sadly, we finally had to say “Adios” to our Air Force son, Nicholas. He returned to his base in Britain last Friday and we already miss him. I hope you’re keeping all our soldiers in your prayers, it’s a crazy world out there!

But kids grow up and we have to move on. We have to keep asking, what’s the next big thing?

Each of us will have a different answer so I’m no help here, but…

I can tell you the next small thing to avoid, and that is too much screen time ‍📱😵‍💻.

In the United States, we average about 7 hours daily staring at screens 😱!

Of course this number is increasing every year and we don’t even notice. We are like frogs in a pot of water slowly getting warmer 🐸🍲🔥. One day it will boil.

Let’s not negate the many positives of screens: we can stay connected to others, it’s easy to share pictures of the ones we love, and some apps can absolutely save us time and money. I love face timing with family and friends.

But on average, we spend 44% of our time awake staring at screens and that may not be making us healthier or happier.

Some of the physical risks of using a phone too much include cyber sickness, text claw, eye strain, and fatigue.

Excessive screen time can increase the risk of depression. Limiting time engaged in social media to 30 minutes daily may improve well-being.

The great news is small changes can reduce your screen time and increase your well-being.

Put your phone away during meals and keep it out of the bedroom. If you’re on your phone, set a timer and take a break every 30 minutes, rest your eyes, move around, and stretch.

I just learned about this really cool technology… books. Most of the US has amazing libraries and if you haven’t visited one recently, I promise you’ll be amazed.

Remember, we can’t be perfect. I am as guilty as everyone of overusing my screens 😇😈, but with a little attention, we can improve our lives and our health. As James Clear says, 1% every day. Keep going 🌟😊👍!

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

Medicare questions or problems?

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

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

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
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
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.

Changes to your Medicare Prescription Drug Plans for 2024

Greetings and may this note find you in great health with your Medicare coverage working properly. Today, I want to discuss changes to your Medicare Prescription Drug Plans for 2024. But first …

If you’re having problems, reach out to Gray or book a time on my calendar if it’s complicated.

Don’t you love the smile on this guy’s face? He’s enjoying the day tooling around the old town sharing his city with travelers in this classic car.

That’s the way I’d like to feel every day.

My reality is a little closer to this old tortoise who sleeps behind the planters in this old hotel.

Every morning, getting up and out is a little harder. I’m a little achier and often a little grumpier, but, a good cup of coffee makes all the difference in the world.

Once we get up and out, there are adventures waiting, especially when Quantz twists my arm and gets me to do something I’d enjoy but wouldn’t do on my own.

If it weren’t for her, I’d work more and enjoy less. Traveling with Q pushes my comfort zone.

This is an old German freighter off the coast of Aruba. Instead of letting it fall into Allied hands in 1942, the captain chose to sink her himself by flooding the boiler room and causing the engine to explode. I’m glad I wasn’t on board.

Our daughter Sus had to return to her home in Colorado because she had a burst pipe. As you can tell, Plato was happy to see her but he’s still mad at us for leaving him at home with her boyfriend.

Now Quantz, our Air Force son Nicholas, and I have moved on to explore Colombia.

Thanks to Tim in Firestone, Colorado for sharing an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal about drug trends for Medicare. Here’s the gist:

In 2024, Medicare Part D plans will have a ceiling of $8,000 for how much they and consumers (combined) will pay out of pocket.

Changes brought about by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act mean that people on Part D plans will pay no more than roughly $3,300 on drugs annually (subject to variation based on brand or generic medications).

In 2025, the cap will change to a flat $2,000.

The 5% coinsurance that patients had to pay after reaching the “catastrophic” spending threshold has been eliminated. This change is expected to offer significant savings to approximately 1.5 million people.

The cap on drug costs will force insurers and drugmakers to cover a larger part of the cost.

Potential downsides for Medicare patients include higher premiums and more complicated paperwork.

The changes represent a significant makeover to the Part D prescription-drug benefit.

Cancer drugs in pill form can be costly for people on Part D plans, and these changes are expected to provide substantial savings for patients with expensive medications.

Despite all the good news, drug costs seems to be one of the biggest frustrations everyone has.

Remember the following strategies when filling a prescription:

Often, physicians will prescribe a brand name medication without taking into consideration a client’s financial situation. Check with the doctor’s office to see if they can provide you with a sample before you shell out your own money.

If you are a prescribed a brand name drug, check with your pharmacist and find out if there is a generic alternative.

A single medication is always easier but sometimes, a combination of drugs can be used successfully and perhaps keep down your costs. Every situation is different so do your homework.

Before filling the prescription through your drug plan, ask the pharmacist if they have a cash price that is lower than your copay.

If you get into the catastrophic phase every year (which means the total cost of your drugs {paid by you and the drug plan, $8,000 for 2024} then you may want to run all of your drugs through plan but…

If you barely reach the donut hole each year ($5,030 paid by you and the drug plan) or never reach the donut hole, paying the cash price or using a third party tool like GoodRx, Amazon, or Cost Plus Drugs might save you some serious coin.

Life continues to be filled with a million moving pieces but if you take thirty minutes and make a few calls and check a few websites, it might really save you some money.

Please know that even though we are traveling, I have slots open every week if you need me.

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

Medicare questions or problems?

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

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

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:

One simple trick for the summer

May this blog post find you in good health with your Medicare Insurance working properly .

Yours truly is busy completing Medicare Certifications for 2024. It’s the same every summer. I don’t enjoy taking exams with all the different carriers but…

I give thanks for each of you, that I have a reason to get up each morning and go to work, to help others, and to take care of my family.

June came to America in 1974 by herself from Korea with ten cents in her pocket (seriously).

She saved the original coin and has built a successful life and business for herself and her family. Hard work and faith. Isn’t that the foundation of the American dream?

I met Ashleigh in 2018, a few months after she severed her spinal cord in an accident here in Denver (just a month after my brother had his accident). We met again this week.

Five years later, she has rebuilt her life, living independently, and working as a peer mentor at the Craig Spinal Center. She is such an impressive young woman.

Perspective is everything. I’m as guilty as the next person of taking things for granted. But when we keep our eyes open, pay attention, and connect with those around us, we can be reminded of how much we have to be thankful for.

We had our final breakfast with Florence (Flo as we call her). After a year of living in our home and working as a volunteer at an inner city music school, she is preparing for the next chapter in her life, and we are sure going to miss her. Life continues at its normal pace and then it changes, just like that.

Santiago (one of our many exchange students) sent us this picture of his successful completion of the half marathon he ran in Mexico City last weekend. Now that University is over, he is preparing for an internship in Spain. The young ones keep growing up as we get closer to the end zone.

Life is short and that’s what makes it special. So be sure to remember what you are thankful for, to help others, and to laugh as much as possible.

That’s it for this week; Keep squeezing the juice out of life!

Medicare questions or problems?

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

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

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

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here

As a novice to navigating the Medicare system, I cannot recommend the services of Karl enough. His knowledge has saved my wife and I a lot of money, both on the Medicare supplement insurance and the drug coverage. Costs you nothing to listen and has saved up thousands of dollars over time.
– Robert B

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 twenty-six states around the country, including:

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

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

This might keep you out of the ER!

May this blog post find you in great health with your Medicare Insurance working properly .

The fourth of July is behind us now and we are cruising into full summer. We had a great time eating with neighbors and watching the little ones play hard.

This might keep you out of the ER ….!

Plato had a little too much fun on the fourth, he grabbed the grease drip off the BBQ and went rogue …

It took an hour of scrubbing to get all the grease off his face. Live and learn, right?

Plato didn’t get sick, thank goodness, but his escapade did remind me of an article I wanted to share: “5 Things I’d Never Do As Urgent Care Doctor This Summer,” from Zocdoc.com.

The article lists five absolute must NOTS to avoid in the summer:

1. Don’t dive headfirst without knowing the water depth.

2. Don’t ride without a helmet.

3. Don’t walk in the woods without long pants tucked in and tick protection.

4. Don’t play with firecrackers.

5. Don’t eat food that’s been sitting out too long in the sun or that has been undercooked.

For our rock-climbing daughter, Sus, I’d also add, “don’t tell your dad when you’re climbing.”

She’s an engineer and super methodical but I still prefer to remember the words from Hogan’s Heroes:

The bottom line, there’s enough risk in our lives already, being aware of these simple things to avoid will increase your chances of staying out of the ER.

Quantz had her high school reunion last weekend up in Loveland, and everybody seemed to have a great time, the weather was lovely.

Isn’t it funny how important we thought the small stuff was back in the day?

Now we’re just happy when our backs don’t hurt and our kids are doing okay .

Thanks to Adrienne for sending this picture of Winston, he’s all grown up and looks great, like a mini Plato (but probably better trained )

That’s it for this week; Keep squeezing the juice out of life!

Medicare questions or problems?

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

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

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.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. This is a proprietary website and is not associated, endorsed or authorized by the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services or the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This site contains decision-support content and information about Medicare, services related to Medicare and services for people with Medicare. If you would like to find more information about the Medicare program please visit the Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare located at http://www.medicare.gov

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

Highlands Ranch Senior Center Groundbreaking

Highlands Ranch will soon break ground on a new senior center for residents over 55 and their families. This is exciting news for Highlands Ranch!

The new senior community center will offer a much-needed antidote to the rising tide of loneliness, especially among older adults.

The 20,000 square foot community center will be built next to Mountainview Christian Church on Highlands Ranch Parkway and will offer a wide variety of opportunities for socializing, lifelong learning, meeting new people, and staying active.

Among the activities planned include fitness classes, potluck dinners, indoor and outdoor games, conversational groups, special interest clubs, events, card games, BINGO, cooking classes, movies, tastings, book clubs, author events, travelogues, pickle ball lessons and leagues, bocce ball, recreational opportunities, and many more social activities.

In addition to a wellness and fitness center, the new facility will include meeting rooms and a large kitchen. Part of the facility will also be used for adult financial programs and other assistance for seniors.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the future Highlands Ranch Senior Center is scheduled for Monday, September 19^th and will take place from 2:30-3:30 pm in the parking lot of Mountainview Christian Church, located at 40 East Highlands Ranch Parkway, Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

The groundbreaking event will include light refreshments, giveaways, photo keepsakes, and a short program.

The new Highlands Ranch Senior Center is expected to open in 2023. More info can be found at highlandsranch.org/seniorcenter.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is the owner of The Big 65, an insurance company that provides Medicare insurance services to Colorado. The Big 65 is based in Highlands Ranch where Karl lives with his family. Karl’s role as a health insurance broker is to match Medicare beneficiaries with the right Medicare plan at the lowest price. For more information, visit www.TheBig65.com.

Medicare Insurance and Credit Card Fraud

Credit Card Fraud and Medicare

In talking with other Medicare Insurance Brokers near me, you’d be surprised how many consumers on Medicare Insurance Plans do not pay enough attention to their credit card information. Credit card fraud and Medicare are two things I know something about.

Last week I received a new Capital One Debit Card.

The problem?

I didn’t open the account :(.

Apparently, someone with my social security number and a burner phone opened the account on my behalf.

That means they have all my information.

The good news is I was able to cancel the card. If I had opened the account, and deposited money, chances are the scammers would have drained it later.

Credit card fraud is a form of identity theft. When an unauthorized individual steals another person’s credit card information and uses that information to make purchases or remove funds, this is against the law. Interestingly, Federal law limits a cardholders’ liability to $50. That is, if there is credit card theft. However, many banks will waive this amount IF the owner of the credit card is willing to sign an affidavit explaining the details of the theft.

We can protect ourselves from credit card fraud and identity theft by doing a couple of things now. Find a card with $0 liability protection. Sign up for transaction alerts on your current credit cards. Keep an eye on your credit card information. And consider adding a credit protection service. These credit monitoring services can help protect you against credit card theft and put your mind at ease.

Credit card fraud and Medicare: Be careful out there.

And if you have questions about Medicare Insurance, visit www.big65.com.

Coffee Ain’t Bad

May this note find you in good health with your Medicare Insurance working properly.

It’s rare to hear good news about things we do actually being good for you but…

A recent New York Times article describes the benefits that coffee can provide, possibly reducing your risk of sudden death by almost 30 percent if you drink 2-3 cups a day.

Cup of coffee photograph

Of course beware if you are able to handle the caffeine :).

The health benefits of coffee include a lower risk of type 2 Diabetes, a lower risk of depression, and improved Liver health. But there’s more …

One study that involved 1,567 people, had some interesting results: Researchers found that drinking caffeinated coffee offered positive results. In fact, the study showed that the coffee drinking participants had a lower risk of death after 18 years of follow-up. That’s impressive. The researchers also found that drinking one cup of coffee per day (at a minimum) was also associated with a lower risk of death from cancer.

The health benefits of coffee don’t stop there. Researchers are finding that additional health benefits of coffee include a reduced risk of developing: Parkinson’s disease, melanoma, prostate cancer, and more.

Moderate coffee consumption was studies in the Nurses’ Health Study which evaluated 83,700 nurses’ diets. The study found that drinking coffee was associated with several health benefits, including a decreased risk of stroke in women.

An interesting study conducted by the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that caffeine can lead to increased fat oxidation. This is encouraging news for athletes and non-athletes, alike.

The take-away from all of this: COFFEE AIN’T BAD.

And if you have questions about Medicare Insurance, book a time on my calendar here. Or find out more at www.TheBig65.com.