Karl Bruns-Kyler Archives

AEP Countdown: Are You Ready 😛?

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:

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

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.

An apple a day ain’t a bad idea

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

The Annual Election Period is under three weeks away. Part D drugs are going to be a pain in the… see Q’s friend below.

Fancy/schmancy drugs are going to require your attention👁️!

Have you received the Annual Notice of Changes by email or mail? Please take a moment to review it.

Some Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D Plans will have changes to premiums and drug tiers, while others will stay the same or be discontinued.

For some, no action is needed, others may need to make changes. Hopefully, we won’t need a priest!

October 14th till December 7th, that’s when we can understand and change coverage.

Please book a time on my calendar if you need me.

If we have your drug list, don’t fill out a new one, please email Gray@TheBig65.com an updated list.

You should receive a jar opener and a letter next week.

ANYONE calling without your permission is an illegal telemarketer🚫🤥📱. Watch out for Medicare scammers like these baboons. Took us all week to get Bob’s scammer’s mistakes resolved.

Yeah, it’s true, Medicare and Elections are a pain in the … but, let’s not forget all we have to be thankful for.

Props to Bill in Durango for guessing my wife Q’s current country, Ethiopia.

Last week, rebels captured the UNESCO castles near Gondar and Q was forced to return to Addis Ababa.

Good news, the rebels retreated, the army regained control, and Q was able to make new friends and see the castles.

See all the other tourists? That’s because there aren’t any. Q was the only non soldier at her hotel.

Imagine if you were living in a civil war?

America is imperfect at best and it is still the most amazing country. As an old classmate’s Lebanese grandfather said, “the US is the land of milk and honey.”

Our home is the land of one gallon of milk and one hundred sixty four pounds of honey🍯from our two hives🐝. Last year, we harvested sixty eight. Plato was proud.

Neighbor Jeff’s been out of our honey for a while. He likes to put it in his oatmeal in the winter.

According to our bees, it’s gonna be a hard winter in Colorado.

Of course we can’t live on honey alone. Fortunately, there are other superfoods in the kitchen🍎.

Here are highlights of a recent article on apples and Plato hopes you wait for it.

Good for Your Gut: Apples are full of fiber, feeding healthy bacteria, the microbiome. These bacteria can improve your health, lowering cancer risk and boosting mood.

Coffee is packed with antioxidants and can boost heart health, improve mood, and even lower the risk of certain diseases. Why not coffee and apples?

Heart Helpers: Apples have a fiber called pectin that can lower cholesterol. One study showed eating apples every day dropped bad LDL cholesterol! Apples also have polyphenols that help lower blood pressure.

Fight Inflammation: Apples reduce inflammation, lowering the risk of diseases like COPD. Even eating half an apple a day can make a difference!

I’m guessing the original stone masons suffered from a lot of inflammation. This is Lalibela, home to the largest monolithic church in the world, a series of five interconnected churches carved from solid rock in the twelfth and thirteenth century.

Don’t Skip the Skin: The apple’s skin has most of the fiber and health-boosting polyphenols. Darker apples usually have more, but try different varieties for the best benefits!

And do try to buy your produce at a local farmer’s market.

Regardless of where you buy, wash all fruits and vegetables with baking soda.

So despite all the noise here and abroad, remember…

We do live in the land of milk and honey…and apples. Give thanks, help others.

There is no “them” there is only us.

And Happy Anniversary 🎉❤️🥂 to Becky and Joe, 36 and counting…well done!

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 a preventive screening most folks forget about

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

For Medicare questions, quotes, or quandaries, email Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar and we’ll get it sorted.

We’re just weeks away from the Annual Election Period. Keep an eye on your mailbox for a letter from me at the end of the month.

ANYONE calling without your permission is an illegal telemarketer 🚫🤥📱. Watch out for Medicare scammers.

This week I spoke with a guy in Michigan. An agent LIED to him and now he’s in a tight spot 😱😡. I’m hoping we can fix his situation, but DON’T let this happen to you, OK?

The last thing you want is to have your feet swept out from underneath you and no recourse.

These are my legs during an exercise class at Red Rocks Amphitheater last Saturday. My wife Q signed me up for the cardio class and I almost coughed up a lung (thanks honey❤️).

As your Medicare insurance broker, you’ve inspired me to stay in peak health. Really truly, I work out daily, eat well, stay connected to family, practice gratitude, and do my best to learn something new every day.

This week I learned something from my amazing brother, Dr. Robert Kyler (seen here with his daughter Jordan). He’s a Radiation Oncologist in Virginia and he asked me to share this with all my Medicare insurance clients.

Getting regular lung cancer screenings for those at risk can make all the difference in the world.

Did you know that lung cancer is often diagnosed too late? According to the American Lung Association, only about 26% of lung cancers are found in the early stages. According to Robert, that’s when treatment is most effective.

For high-risk groups—like long-term smokers between 50 and 80—regular lung cancer screening can make all the difference.

Fortunately, my little brother Haas is addicted to trout fishing🐟, not tobacco🚬😂🚭.

Low-dose CT scans (LDCT) are key, reducing lung cancer deaths by up to 20%. The best part? Many of you may qualify for free annual screenings through your Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan.

If you or someone you know has a history of smoking, or being around second hand smoke, it’s worth chatting with your doctor about getting screened. It’s painless, takes only a few minutes, and could catch something before it becomes serious.

Remember, Medicare often covers these screenings, so there’s no reason to delay! Early detection is vital, and it could save your life. Like Adrienne, there may be people and doodles, like Winston, counting on you.

For those of you who are curious, my wife Quantz left Madagascar and is now exploring her 81st country. She had to force this street vendor to smile. She was the only tourist.

Why was she the ONLY tourist? That’s because Q arrived in the capital city of this civil war torn country despite my protests. She is a very independent woman.

The people in this country are very religious and they have 180 mandatory fasting days for lay people, and up to 252 days of fasting for the clergy and the particularly observant. Fasting may keep you healthy but it doesn’t sound like fun!

This country has one lake that is a source of the Nile. While travelling to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site castle, she and her guide were stopped by government soldiers and told to return to the capital immediately. Apparently the area she was planning to visit had been taken over by a rebel army.

Me, I would’ve turned tail and like this monkey – split! Q just pivoted and went to another part of the country that is, hopefully, a little more stable.

Can you guess where she is? The first three correct answers will get a Starbucks card, (new winners only, please).

Meanwhile, Plato and I are back home, working with clients and hanging out at the Bark Park. We ran into an old friend, Phyllis. I admire Phyllis so much because she personifies my favorite saying: gettin’ old ain’t for sissies.

Despite challenges, Phyllis keeps going and still visits the dog park, long after her favorite pet has passed. Plato is always glad to see her. Never stop, never give up, always keep going!

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:

It’s time to sharpen that saw

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

We’re four weeks away from the Annual Election Period. If you want to know how to get ready, check out this link. Just remember to avoid all the illegal telemarketers.

For regular Medicare questions, quotes, or quandaries, email Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar and we’ll get it sorted.

In the meantime, Plato is loving the autumn weather here in Colorado: sunny, cool and delightful. He never met a patch of grass that he didn’t love.

My wife Q is still in Madagascar, making as many new friends as possible and seeing as much she can.

She’s the most adventurous person I know and that’s what I love about her. Travel is a great way to keep your mind sharp.

Seeing new things, getting out of your comfort zone, and experiencing different cultures are great ways to grow new synapses.

As we age, it becomes increasingly important to maintain our physical and our mental well-being. Of course you can travel and play with spiders if you want.

Fortunately, there are lots of small, daily habits we can do at home that will make a big difference in how well your brain functions.

Here are some easy ways to keep our minds active and healthy. And don’t worry, they don’t include public speaking to 150 retirees like I did this week in Highlands Ranch!

Exercise Your Brain with Puzzles

Puzzles are a fantastic way to engage the mind. Whether it’s a crossword, Sudoku, a jigsaw puzzle, or Wordle, these activities challenge your brain by stretching your memory and problem-solving skills.

Of course you can do puzzles on your phone, but don’t discount the neuro-cognitive value of doing puzzles with pen and paper.

Here’s a puzzle for you: why did I spend $20 on fox urine to try to protect my 5 peaches from the local racoons? Of course the racoons ate four of them. That makes this a $20 dollar peach😳!

Stick to a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Good sleep is essential for a healthy mind and one of the greatest ways to protect our brains. Maintaining a consistent sleep routine allows your brain to rest and rejuvenate. Everyone’s sleep needs vary, but if you often feel tired or sluggish, it may be a sign that you need to improve your sleep habits.

I’m a big believer in the coffee nap: if you’re feeling tired in the early afternoon, down a cup of joe, set timer for 20 minutes, cover your eyes and snooze. The alarm will ring just as the caffeine is kicking in.

Studies have shown that regular short naps can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.

Plato thinks paddleboarding reduces the risk of having to walk too much😉. After feeding him on the paddleboard all last week, I’m happy to report he jumped right on!

I fell in twice, he never left the board. Turns out you can teach old dogs new tricks.

Stay Social and Connect with Others

You know I’m a broken record but human connection is vital for brain health.

Regular social interactions can help prevent cognitive decline. Simple activities like a quick phone call, video chat, or an in-person meet-up can boost your mental well-being.

Plato and I got a surprise visit from our daughter Sus and it sure brightened up a quiet weekend. If nobody’s visiting you, go say hello to a neighbor. You’ll be glad you did. Sus is testing out The Big 65 jar openers you’ll be receiving at the end of this month.

Of course it’s challenging to get out, especially for those with mobility issues, but technology makes it easier than ever to stay connected. Set aside time to catch up with family or friends a few times a week—these conversations not only brighten your day but also stimulate your brain.

I try to get on facetime with my brothers at least once a week. My brother Rabbit sometimes gripes that l call too much. Hey, that’s just the way I roll. What can I say. I love my brothers and I will never take them for granted. Who do you need to call?

Explore New Experiences for Sensory Stimulation

Engaging all your senses is another way to keep your mind sharp. This could be something as simple as trying a new recipe, attending a local event, or taking up a new hobby like painting or gardening. By exposing yourself to new sights, sounds, and experiences, you’re stimulating different parts of your brain.

This week, my friend Shava helped me harvest the beehives under our grape vines. The Japanese beetles and the raccoons harvested most of the grapes🦝😡!

Shava is a professional beekeeper and she was pretty excited about the flavor of our honey. It’s getting bottled and now we’re getting the bees ready for winter.

Maintaining a sharp mind as you age doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. By incorporating simple habits—puzzles, good sleep, socializing, and new experiences—you can keep your brain engaged and functioning well for years to come.

Plato said he would like to have a new sensory experience with honeycombs, but he knows better, right Plato? If Plato doesn’t eat all the honey, I promise to share a few bottles.

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:

Get ready for the (Medicare) Fall

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

Q sends her greetings from Madagascar where she’s still exploring and making up for thirty plus years of working way too hard. Me? I am happily back home getting ready for the busy season, yikes!

We’re five weeks away from the Annual Election Period and I’m starting to feel a little bit like how this chameleon looks.

Changes are definitely coming. Even this lemur is curious.

If you have a Medicare Supplement (plan G, plan N, etc.), the changes will not be significant. If you’ve been in your plan for more than two years, and you are in decent health, it’s probably a good idea for us to shop the rates.

Medigap/Medicare Supplemental plans can be shopped any month of the year, so feel free to book a time in September if you like.

If you have a Part D drug plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan, here’s what to do to prevent sticker shock in January.

When “the Annual Notice of Changes” arrives, please open it and look at the costs, the benefits, and your drugs.

Reading through the changes will take less time than it took me to refinish these barrels (Plato refused to help).

Some Part D drug plans and some specific Medicare Advantage plans may be going away entirely😱 .

Some plans may have significant price increases 😡.

Some drugs may no longer be covered 😨.

Some drugs may be less expensive😊.

Some people won’t need to make any changes at all.

Please don’t stick out your tongue and forget about it.

If we’ve been working together, then I have a copy of your medications and your doctors.

You’ll get a letter from me at the end of the month telling you it’s time for us to chat, including this fancy schmancy jar opener/mouse pad.

After you book an appointment, please email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com, and tell him you would like to update your medications before we speak.

Gray will send you a link with your current medications. You can update them yourself or chat with him on the phone and he will help you. October 15th till December 7th is when we can make changes.

Jeanne and Vincent should be back from their adventures in Scotland by then and I’ll have plenty of slots open if we need to speak.

Q tells me she should be home by then… assuming she learns how to cook onions, cassava, and salt.

Congrats Jim in Illinois, Betsy in Denver, Louie in Pennsylvania for guessing the mountains in this picture. The answer is Maroon Bells.

Thanks again to client Mike in Atlanta for the painting. He is getting a Starbucks card as well!

This week’s “don’t be a hero” award goes to neighbor John. John is one of the amazing guys who never stops hustling. Though retired, he still teaches part time, travels, has a yard way nicer than mine, and he loves to play pickleball.

That’s what got him in trouble…trying a little too hard to make the point… and then continuing to play after he was injured. The good news, he is definitely on the mend.

Everyone, repeat after John, “don’t be a hero ‍⚕️😊🎾👨‍⚕️!”

We got great news from our Air Force son in Britain. Knock on wood, come December, he’ll be deployed in Italy. We’re very proud of this young rascal and we can’t wait to visit. You know we love to travel.

In the meantime, Plato and I have decided to learn a new hobby, paddleboarding. Don’t worry, we’ll do our best not to be heroes.

Plato is a rule follower and he was exhausted after sanding the barrels.

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:

Wanna reduce your risk of dementia?

Greetings and may this blog find you in amazing health 💪 with your Medicare insurance coverage 🏥 working properly this Labor Day Weekend. I sure hope you get outside and enjoy the last days of summer with family and friends.

For Medicare questions, quotes, or quandaries, email Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar and we’ll get it sorted.

Well, yours truly is happy as a clam to be home again and working from my office. Special thanks to client Mike for painting this portrait of Plato and me and the beautiful mountains of Colorado.

Starbucks cards for the first three people to name the mountains in the picture.

Of course my wife Q isn’t back home yet. She’s still exploring the wilds of Madagascar and having the adventure of her life. I’m fairly certain she’ll be coming home… eventually, right Quantz 🙏❤️?

She’s still making up for thirty plus years at a desk and she’s earned every moment of this journey. As Wayne Dyer used to say, “don’t die with the music inside.”

For each of us, living an authentic life has a different definition. For Plato, it’s chasing the squirrels and the racoons (and hopefully protecting the five remaining peaches) and snuggling as much as possible.

For me, it’s all about staying connected to family, friends, and clients. It’s also about spending time outside, drinking coffee in the back yard, and preparing to harvest the honey and the grapes.

Whatever a meaningful life means to you, I haven’t spoken with anyone yet who wants dementia to be part of the equation. We can’t control all of the risk factors leading to dementia, but…

Current research shows that there are several effective strategies to reduce the risks of cognitive decline. That means we have some control over the speed of decline and the quality of our lives.

Here’s a breakdown of the key findings and actionable steps we can take to maintain cognitive health.

Physical Activity: Regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to prevent cognitive decline. It improves blood flow to the brain, reduces the risk of cardiovascular issues, and helps maintain overall brain health.

You don’t have to climb a mountain to see the sunset, but a walk around the block is easy and you never know who you’ll meet on the way.

Mental Stimulation: Keeping your brain active through learning, puzzles, reading, or engaging in new hobbies can help build cognitive reserve, which protects against dementia.

Q told me the animal below is called a fossa. It’s only found in Madagascar, a cross between a mongoose and a cat and it hunts lemurs. Do you think it’d keep the squirrels out of my backyard?

Social Interaction: Staying socially engaged helps reduce stress, fosters mental health, and keeps your brain active.

The more time we are isolated from others, the more brittle we become. Connecting with others through church, volunteering, family time, or travel rewires the brain and creates new neural pathways. Remarkably neuroplasticity can continue as we age if we find opportunities to stay connected.

Healthy Diet: A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats (like the Mediterranean diet) supports brain health.

I’m fairly certain my little brother Haas released this fish back to the river, but he eats a super healthy diet based on the food he catches and the plants he grows on his farm.

Here’s my favorite breakfast: black coffee, a slice of Dave’s bread with avocado, and a few pecans and avocados. You’re gonna laugh at this, but I chose to give up honey (for a while) because my triglycerides shot up this year.

Oh well, we’ll see if a few months of a sugar free diet changes the numbers, keep your fingers crossed. I guess that means I’ll have more honey for you guys!

Sleep: Quality sleep is crucial for brain health. It allows the brain to clear out toxins that accumulate during the day.

Are you doing everything you can to get a good night’s sleep? Here’s an article on cognitive shuffling, a technique that has proven very effective in helping people sleep.

Of course you could do what Brian and Denise do: they take sleep lessons from Miles. Now that’s a cute dog!

Stress Management: Chronic stress can damage the brain. Techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and yoga can help reduce stress.

Another great way to reduce stress is to be like Mark and go fishing with your buddies. These fellas hit their limit of Redfish in Matagorda Bay. Looks like good times to me.

Avoiding Tobacco and Excessive Alcohol: Smoking and heavy drinking are linked to a higher risk of dementia. The saddest news is that even one drink a day causes brain atrophy 😔🍷. Just remember my father’s favorite saying: everything in moderation, even moderation.

Regular Health Check-ups: Managing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol can reduce dementia risk. Leverage the benefits in your Medicare Supplement plans and in your Medicare Advantage plans. That’s why we have them.

We don’t have to be perfect, we just have to try to do our best.

Take it from our son, Airman Nicholas: small improvements over a long period of a time will make a huge difference.

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:

Does Medicare Cover Travel?

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

For Medicare questions, quotes, or quandaries, email Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar and we’ll get it sorted.

Here are the responses to the contest: Where in the world is Quantz?

Jeanne posted Iceland. Joel posited Africa and South America. Susan wondered about Tibet, Greenland, or Norway. Peg & Will suggested Germany or Poland. Jan pictured Mongolia, Venezuela, or Sudan. Sharon guessed China.

I’m happily home in Colorado with Sus and Plato, Q went to…

Madagascar (an island as large as France). This country has been on her bucket list for as long as we’ve been married (and that, my friend, is a long, long time.)

Congratulations to each of you who guessed, you’ll be receiving a Starbucks card this afternoon!

Which brings us to today’s topic, Medicare and travel. What coverage do you need when traveling in the US and Overseas?

Whether you have a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage plan, emergency medical services are covered anywhere inside the United States. If you think you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, you know what to dial. You will be covered.

What happens if you find yourself in Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in the middle of nowhere Madagascar and the lemurs haven’t completed med school?

Original Medicare coverage outside of the US is limited (see this chart).

Let’s break down how Medicare Supplement Coverage (Med Supp Plans) and Medicare Advantage Plans, (MAPD Plans) cover emergencies overseas.

First of all, there are no emergency evacuation services covered.

According to the 2024 Choosing a Medigap Policy published by CMS: “Some Medigap policies cover services that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like emergency medical care when you travel outside the U.S. (foreign travel emergency care).”

As seen in the chart above and below, many Medicare Supplement plans will pay “80% to a lifetime maximum of $50,000 (less a deductible of $250.)” This is only for emergency care, not preventive care.

Consumers will then pay “20% until the lifetime maximum and then all costs.” This does not include evacuation services, this is emergency medical care only.

According to Medical News Today, “Medicare Advantage plans do not usually cover medical treatment needed when traveling internationally. However, plans may include coverage for emergency care.”

The most typical coverage I see in MAPD plans is something along the lines of an emergency allowance ranging from $150,000-$250,000, depending on the plan. Every plan is different.

If you want to know the exact amount of your MAPD plan’s international emergency benefit, call member services on the back of your card or shoot an email to Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com, and he’ll look it up for you.

Also keep in mind, if you’re outside of the US for more than 60 days consecutively, the insurance company may say that you are living abroad, not traveling, and benefits may not apply.

So what does that mean about your next trip abroad? Do you need to get extra coverage?

Every situation is different. Keep in mind that in most countries, the cost of emergency medical care is significantly less expensive than in the US.

Recent clients travelled to Mexico with some serious health problems.

Though their existing coverage probably would have covered the costs of an emergency, it gave them peace of mind to set up a Geo Blue International Plan that covered:

Pre-existing conditions
Accidents
Medical evacuation
Dental Care Required Due to an injury

If you’re traveling overseas, here are the details of that plan. I’m happy to review your situation if you’re thinking of travelling.

If you just want trip cancellation insurance, check out Squaremouth Travel Insurance, they do a great job of brokering all the options. I’m really hoping that Quantz never needs either, but, you never know!

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:

Protect Your Identity with These Simple Steps

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

For Medicare questions, quotes, or quandaries, email Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar and we’ll get it sorted.

The country of Georgia is the birthplace of wine 🍾 and this wine jar is 8,000 years old, making it the oldest known wine jar in the world.

You may want to grab a glass of 🍷, a seat, and a notepad before we talk about today’s topic.

As a Certified Senior Advisor who helps consumers shop for Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans, and other types of insurance coverage, I have a fiduciary responsibility to help you avoid irreversible mistakes.

Earlier this week, the breach of National Public Data was reported. Hackers potentially accessed the personal information of millions, including Social Security numbers 😱.

While the details are still murky, one thing is clear: we need to stay vigilant about protecting our credit and personal information.

Now before you follow Frank Sinatra’s advice about a second glass below, here are some practical ideas on how to protect your data and how to make sure this breach doesn’t cause you a financial hangover‍ 😵‍💫💸.

First off, take a deep breath 😮‍💨🧘‍♂️.

Not every piece of stolen data gets used. Sometimes, it just sits in the hands of thieves who don’t know what to do with it. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Here’s something you can do immediately to protect your finances.

Freeze Your Credit

One of the best defenses against identity theft is to freeze your credit with the big three credit reporting agencies:

Equifax: Visit www.equifax.com or call 1-800-685-1111.
Experian: Go to www.experian.com or call 1-888-397-3742.
TransUnion: Access www.transunion.com or call 1-888-909-8872.

Each website provides detailed instructions for managing your credit, including how to freeze or unfreeze your credit reports.

This stops anyone from opening new accounts in your name without your permission. Just don’t forget your PINs for thawing your credit when you need to open a new account!

(We met Donnie and Linda in Tbilisi, Georgia on the last day of their trip. Their daughter and her new husband had their wedding in the mountains of Georgia, near Russia. These two are adventurous!)

Additional Steps to Protect Yourself

Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Add an extra layer of security to your online accounts.

Set Up Account Alerts: Keep tabs on any suspicious activity by setting alerts for charges outside your home country or transactions over a certain amount.

Watch Out for Phishing Scams: If you get an alert, avoid clicking links or calling numbers provided. Instead, log into your account directly to check for issues.

It’s a bit of a hassle, but it may be worth the peace of mind.

Commercial Tools to Consider

If you want even more protection, consider investing in tools like:

Identity Theft Protection Services (e.g., LifeLock, IdentityForce) that offer monitoring and recovery services.

Credit Monitoring Services (e.g., Credit Karma, Experian) to keep an eye on your credit report for any unusual activity.

Just like Q’s salad, you don’t have to take these steps, but they are options 😂.

While we can’t always prevent these breaches, we can make it as difficult as possible for thieves to mess with our lives.

The key to life is NOT what happens to us but how we choose to respond. Be like Becky and go pick some blueberries in Michigan. They are great for the brain and being outside is good for the soul.

My brother’s neighbor adopted a pair of orphaned opossums. Hopefully my wife Q doesn’t volunteer to rescue them. Our dog Plato would be totally jealous.

We had wonderful adventure this summer exploring the world, but yours truly is ready to get home. The Annual Election Period is now eight weeks away and I have to get ready for the Medicare madness 🤪.

Based on my certification trainings, there may be significant changes to Part D drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans for 2025. Keep an eye out for the “Annual Notice of Changes” you should be receiving in late September.

If you’ve had changes in medications or your doctors, please update them with Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com. That way, we’ll be ready if we need to review your coverage in the fall.

I can’t wait to get home, but Q, the love of my life, isn’t quite ready. She still has to make up for her thirty years of corporate slavery. Georgia was her 79th country. That’s why she said “goodbye” to me on Monday .

Bet you can’t guess where she’s goin’ next?

The first five people who guess right get a Starbucks card☕(hint: they have lousy Wi-Fi so I couldn’t go!). You can guess up to three countries to make it easier! I’ll be at home playing with Plato and my bees❤️. Let me know if you need me.

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:

Do you really need that preventive screening?

As they say in Georgia, გამარჯობა gamarjoba. May this blog find you in amazing health 💪 with your Medicare insurance coverage 🏥 working properly.

For Medicare questions, quotes, or quandaries, email Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar and we’ll get it sorted.

No, my wife Q and I are not in Atlanta. Instead, I’m working from Tbilisi, Georgia, the oldest Christian country in the world, half way round the world.

Here in Liberty Square, there used to be a statue of Lenin. When the people threw off the communist yolk, the citizens replaced him with a statue of St. George (and the Dragon), the patron saint of the nation.

Georgians trace their lineage back to Kartlos, who is considered a great-grandson of Noah. It’s a fascinating place.

So after helping Medicare clients all over the US, I then love to walk this 1,600 year old city late at night in search of local food, like this khachapuri, cheese bread, yummy and inexpensive.

If you ever see a Georgian restaurant or food truck, try the khinkali, soup filled meat dumplings that are addictive and delicious.

What surprised us most about Tbilisi? The food️ 🍽️, the wine 🍷, the buildings️ 🏛️?

Actually, it was all the well-kept street dogs 🐶😲! Even on the Peace Bridge in the middle of the night, the dogs were everywhere.

This is so different from the way we keep our dogs in the US. See Stevie below, the amazing rescue Huskey who loves to watch TV animal shows (and is spoiled by clients’ Ron and Karen in northern California).

These Georgia dogs (not to be confused with my Georgia College football Bulldawgs in Athens) live outside on the streets as protected mascots of the city.

They are chipped, spayed, or neutered, and receive food, vet care, and vaccinations to keep them healthy.

Which brings us to today’s topic: preventive health screenings.

Whether you have a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage Plan, preventive health screenings are an essential part of wellness.

Appropriate preventive screenings track health risks, manage chronic health issues, and reduce the risk of an acute visit to the Emergency Room.

That’s the upside of preventive screenings. A recent article questions whether American health consumers are being screened too often for certain cancers.

In 2021, the United States spent $43 billion on screening for five types of cancer—breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate—according to a study published in The Annals of Internal Medicine. This figure represents a significant portion of the annual expenditure on cancer care, which likely exceeds $250 billion.

Colonoscopies, my least favorite procedure, account for 55% of the total screening expenditures.

This dog, next to Q, slept like a rock, until lunch was served, then suddenly he was awake. Coincidence?

Despite the high costs of screenings, experts argue colonoscopies are valuable as they can both detect and prevent cancer by allowing surgeons to act quickly.

These old stairs in the back streets of Tbilisi made me think of a colonoscopy or maybe an Escher drawing! Better be friends with your neighbors here.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force supports screening for four of the five cancers studied, particularly highlighting its effectiveness for cervical and colorectal cancer. However, the benefits for prostate cancer remain inconclusive, and the task force is currently updating its guidelines.

As a Medicare Insurance broker, I hear from you daily on the successes and the frustrations of navigating the healthcare system. It’s challenging to know the right thing to do, isn’t it?

Perhaps some contemplation and prayer in the Sioni Cathedral, built in the 7th century? It certainly couldn’t hurt.

Now, experts are advocating for a more nuanced discussion on the true value of cancer screening.

While screening does have benefits, its impact on overall mortality is often modest, suggesting that other factors, such as improved treatments and lifestyle changes, also play crucial roles in reducing cancer death rates.

So what should we do as consumers when it comes to preventive screening?

Well, you could ask our tour guide Giorgi (one out of every 12 Georgian men is named Giorgi!), but I don’t think he would know. Here’s our advice:

The next time you get a notification to have a preventive screening, talk to your doctor.

If you’re in an actual appointment, get your healthcare practitioner to look up from his or her dadburn screen and say:

“Hey Doc, if you were in my situation, or, if it was your mom or dad in this situation, would you have them complete this preventive screening? What would you do, really?”

You might be surprised by their response. The bottom line: every Medicare consumer needs to self advocate. Challenge the system and ask good questions. Don’t be shy. Get your provider to slow down and treat you like a human.

That’s how the Georgians threw off the commies (maybe not exactly, but you get my drift). I’m rooting for them and their freedom and you know I’m rooting for you and your health!

In the meantime, wake up and smell the flowers, life is short!

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:

We went to the wrong city 40 years too late and this is what we learned

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

For Medicare questions, quotes, or quandaries, email Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar and we’ll get it sorted.

Are you watching the Summer Olympics in Paris?

Q and I were hoping to compete in the bobsled competition. Turns out we went to the wrong city, for the wrong Olympics, and we were forty years too late.

Sarajevo (in the former Yugoslavia) hosted the Winter Olympics in 1984. Do you remember watching the bobsled races?

This bobsled track was once a site of glory but fell into ruin and disrepair due to war and neglect. During the war, it was used by the Serbs as a bunker from which to attack the Bosnians. After the war, the graffiti artists took over.

Our health is like a track, if we don’t take care of it, it will break down.

In the book “Good Energy,” author Dr. Casey Means explains the importance of metabolic health, how everyday choices affect our health and energy levels.

According to the book, 93% of Americans have poor metabolic health, leading to fatigue, weight gain, and chronic illnesses.

The good news is that, just as a war torn country in the Balkans can mend, focusing on small steps will increase energy levels, improve mood, and raise our overall well-being.

In the picture below, yours truly is standing in the footsteps of the assassin who shot the Austrian Arch Duke triggering World War I. Thanks goodness our former President wasn’t assassinated. That would not have been good for our country.

Here are the key take aways:

Foundations of Health: Dr. Means emphasizes the importance of foundational health practices such as balanced nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management.

This is the bridge of Mostar, bombed during the Yugoslavian war in the early 1990’s, now fully restored. It is now a symbol of peace and hope.

Nutrition and Energy: The book delves into how different foods impact energy levels, with a focus on whole, unprocessed foods that stabilize blood sugar and support metabolic health.

If you ever get to the Balkans, the vegetables and the olives are amazing. I’m not sure that beer is a vegetable (flexible mind, right 😉😂).

Gut Health: Gut health is highlighted as a cornerstone of overall well-being, affecting everything from energy levels to mental clarity and immune function.

Burek is a savory pastry made of thin, flaky dough layers. It is typically filled with beef or lamb, cheese, spinach, or potatoes. I can’t comment on its healthiness, but it is the ultimate Balkan comfort food.

As we always say at The Big 65, everything in moderation, even moderation 😊.

Mind-Body Connection: “Good Energy” also explores the intricate connection between mental health and physical well-being, offering strategies to enhance both through mindful practices and positive lifestyle changes.

My German dad was a chess fanatic so it was great fun watching these fellows in the square playing every day. They had a great time yelling, playing, and giving each other smack. I loved it. As my father always said, “they would’ve killed me like a chicken.”

For Medicare clients, understanding the holistic approach advocated by Dr. Means aligns with the wellness themes we frequently discuss in our blog (yes, like my wife Q says, I am a broken record 😊).

Here are the simple steps (and check out the chair yoga below).

Eat Real Food: Fill your plate with colorful vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and healthy fats.

Move Daily: Incorporate at least 30 minutes of physical activity into your day.

Prioritize Sleep: Create a relaxing bedtime routine to help you get better sleep.

Manage Stress: Find activities that relax you, whether it’s reading, gardening, or practicing mindfulness.

Don’t close the door on good health. In the old days, a strong metal door could have been the difference between life and death.

You should also watch the webinar we created on balance and mobility. These tools are the bedrock of wellness just like the pillars of health in Dr. Means’ book.

As we travel through Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia Herzegovina, again and again, we see the resilience of the human spirit and it gives us hope that these countries can continue to heal and improve the lives of all their inhabitants.

Despite hardship and challenge, it’s never too late for any of us to change our world or our health. Don’t ignore fires on the horizon (like this one in the hills of Mostar). If you do, you will get burned.

And in the meantime, 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: