Highlands Ranch Archives

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.

Do we have you in the right coverage?

May this blog post/newsletter find you in good health with your Medicare Insurance working properly. Today’s question: “Do we have you in the right coverage?“

In working with clients all over the country this week, it’s been a great opportunity to sharpen the saw and drill into the differences between plan types: Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement.

From a distance, it’s not always easy to understand the differences between the two types of plans and I often get the question: which type of plan is better?

The simple answer is… it truly depends on how each consumer uses healthcare.

Medicare Supplements charge a monthly premium and allow consumers to go to any doctor who takes Medicare (and is willing to see them) and folks don’t have to deal with prior authorization for Medicare approved services. They also don’t receive extra benefits and the premiums typically go up every year.

Medicare Advantage Plans typically have no premiums, offer additional bells and whistles but require you to jump through additional hoops for certain services.

As your independent Medicare Insurance Broker, I try to spend most of my time understanding your healthcare preferences and how you prefer to receive healthcare services.

After that, it’s all about education and understanding the pros and the cons of each type of plan and letting YOU make your own choice.

That’s the reason for this newsletter, so that we can stay connected to make sure your coverage is working the way it should.

Of course, nothing works perfectly. Sometimes there are billing errors, other times it’s hard to reach customer service. Life is imperfect at best, but the important thing is you have an additional resource: The Big 65!

If you are having issues, always call the carrier first.

However, if you speak with the carrier and you are stilling having problems, please reach out to us by email or just book a time on my calendar.

That why I’m here. Medicare call centers (and all those enticing commercials you see on TV) only want you to switch plans. If it’s necessary, we can do that, but usually there’s an easier fix.

It sure has been fun to finally have an extended vacation with our Air Force son Nicholas.

We worked on his bucket list one night and I didn’t even try to keep up with him. I guess we were all young once, right?

I keep hearing from clients like Claire in South Carolina that spring is on the way so don’t give up hope!

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

And, if you are having Medicare questions or problems, email Gray, Gray@thebig65.com, or just book a time on my calendar.

We are here if you need us.

Let me know what’s going on your life, please send pictures for the newsletter, and remember…

Referrals are the lifeblood of my business!

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 twenty-two states around the country, including:

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

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 your options.

Can You Lower Your Blood Pressure Without Drugs?

Hello friends … I hope this finds you in good health with your Medicare Coverage working properly.

Plato wants you to know he is excited for the cooler weather, Halloween, and all the candy he can scrounge.

Meanwhile, the rest of us are worried sick about Hurricane Ian and all our friends and family down south. Amazingly, my in-law’s place in the Low Country of South Carolina, despite this picture, is still above the floodwaters.

Can you lower your blood pressure without drugs?

According to a recent article, daily deep diaphragmatic breathing exercises, 30 breaths per day over six weeks, could significantly reduce systolic blood pressure levels, possibly to the same extent as a blood pressure medication.

Now don’t stop taking your medications, but do read this article and definitely talk to your doctor. When my car stopped working today, I practiced what I preached.

The Annual Election Period begins today, October 1st. You can’t make any changes until October 15th, but if you are concerned about your coverage…

Do book a time on my calendar.

If you are happy with your current coverage, and your Annual Notice of Changes looks good, you don’t need to call me. Just be sure to ignore all the noise from Captain Kirk and the rest.

Well Quantz left me, again… this time for London, to see our Air Force son Nicholas.

He was supposed to be coming home in October but the Air Force has other plans for him.

They say he’s about to be deployed from Britain to somewhere in Asia. Please keep him in your prayers (along with all our soldiers and those devastated by the Hurricane.)

Meanwhile …

After 8,387 miles, please welcome home Steve and Jo from their amazing adventure to Alaska.

While crossing back into the US at the border and stopping for an agricultural inspection, our brave couple had an issue with the lock on the motorhome.

Steve, being the engineer that he is, had Jo step on the tire…

Then a little support…

And then a final push ! This is proof that true love endures.

I’m so impressed with these two adventurers.

A box of chocolates to anyone out there with a better story (and a picture).

Susan, in Florida (she’s okay), sent this picture of her Buckeye loving baby named Marley.

Marley asks everyone to keep their paws crossed that the Buckeye’s prevail over Rutgers today.

That’s it for this week.

Please forward this newsletter to all your friends and family who might need help with Medicare !

Have a great week, be safe and call me if you need me.

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211

“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 your options.”

www.TheBig65.com

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.

Sometimes you just have to howl at the world!

Check out this video to see how
my neighborhood in Highlands Ranch
is responding to the Corona quarantine.

That’s right sometimes all you
can do is howl and keep going.

In our neighborhood, every
night at 8:00 people step out
side and howl. It’s really been
fun.

Regarding changes in Medicare,
we are seeing some new genetic
testing coming out for people
with cancer, diabetes, heart/
stroke issues or with Alzheimer’s.

The testing, depending on your
coverage, may have zero dollar
co-pays.

Of course this testing should improve
treatment protocols for those with
these health concerns, but equally
important, this new genetic data may
provide a road map for children and
grandchildren with these genetic
predispositions.

Ping me if you have questions.