Karl Bruns-Kyler Archives

I messed up this week and I need some balance

Greetings and may this note find you in great health with your Medicare coverage working properly and Happy Easter Weekend.

I missed client Dan’s email a couple weeks back and I sure felt bad 😔. If you ever reach out and I don’t respond within 24 hours 😳…

Please call and leave a message, book a time on my calendar, or shoot an email to my admin Gray@TheBig65.com and he will hunt me down 😊☎️🔫.

This has been a busy week here at home finishing up the month of March. Plato is exhausted 🐶.

I had a wonderful catchup with client Rose and her Great Pyrenees Collie rescue, the amazing Max (of course he’s a Buckeye). She’s a retired nurse and I shared with her about a workshop I attended this week that could make a huge difference in all of our lives. So, please pay attention 🏫 ✏️.

Cate Reade is an Exercise Physiologist and a Registered Dietitian and the founder of MoveMor. This week she taught a class on “Why We Lose Balance and How We Fix It.”

Balance relies on the sensory systems of our eyes, our ears, and our joints. As we age, we often see those abilities diminish. The good news? Thanks to the brain’s remarkable neuroplasticity, we can strengthen our balance, our range of motion, and our cognitive skills with simple, short, repetitive exercises and training tools.

Loss of ankle and foot mobility play a huge part in the loss of balance. Cate shared simple exercise strategies.

• Take 5: Fix Your Foundation
• At Home Seated Exercises

During the workshop, she showed us how to strengthen feet, ankle, and leg muscles doing simple, seated exercises.

We know that it’s either use it or lose it for muscles, but I was amazed to learn that, according to third party studies, as little as 10 exercises of 10 repetitions for 10 minutes of seated exercise can greatly improve balance, and that means independence.

Cate teaches classes at our local wellness center and to groups across Denver. If you are inspired by her work, please let me know and I will arrange a free webinar if enough people are interested.

Balance classes, Yoga, Aerobics, and Strength Training will certainly make you healthier, but don’t forget about the greatest exercise of them all: Walking.

I met retired Geophysicist Stuart out with his Olympic dog, a hybrid Kangal Turkish Shepherd, bred with a South African Boerbol. This fellow can chase down and pin a coyote. He makes Plato look small. Hold on tight!

Longtime client Charles (and his lovely wife Phyllis) stay active in work, church and walking. The important thing – find an activity you enjoy and stay with it.

Client Becky shared this picture of her and her brother (both on the left) Easter Sunday where she grew up in Tioga, North Dakota. Were we ever that young?

By dog years, Plato is almost 63, but he still loves hanging out with the young’uns. I hope you do the same ❤️.

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:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
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Ohio
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Tennessee
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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.

What happens if the system breaks down?

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

Please book a time on my calendar if you are having Medicare issues. Anyone on an Advantage plan has till the end of March to make a change if they are unhappy!

Are you getting through your taxes? It’s QuickBooks time here at home and Plato is not in the mood. He loves the sun and the snow.

Last weekend, the neighborhood looked like this.

Now the snow is mostly gone and we are definitely thinking Spring.

Of course we’re always one disruption away from a problem (weather, internet, health) so today, we need to talk about prescriptions and how to make sure you never run out.

Your grandmother had a well stocked pantry, just in case. Now we are spoiled by 24 hour convenience and Amazon so we are used to having less of everything on hand.

It may be time to build up reserves.

Earlier this year, hackers took over a major healthcare website and prevented physicians from being paid and some pharmacies from dispensing medications.

Many pharmacies were able to find work-around options, but some of my clients were in a tight spot.

Dr. Michael Rhodes recommends having an emergency supply of meds on hand, minimally three days worth, ideally 30 days worth and a disaster kit ready.

If you prepare, you’ll be like Jane and have no drama with your Llama.

“Ask your doctor for an additional prescription, explain what you’re doing and tell your doctor the meds will be going into storage,” says Dr. Rhodes. “Since many insurance companies will only cover a 30-day supply you may need to pay out of pocket. If your medication is very expensive, ask if there’s a generic substitute you could use in an emergency.”

Check out this article for additional ideas on how to have your emergency medicines ready, but the bottom line…bee 🐝 prepared 😂.

Then go have a cup of coffee☕ with the people you love. This is my old tribe in the Shenandoah Valley. I sure hope to see them again.

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
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

Simplifying Medicare with Kyler Snow’s Expertise

It’s always funny seeing photos from friends who live in a totally different climate. You might be scraping ice off your car while they’re relaxing on a beach. My friend Karl posts these contrasts all the time. The now-famous Kyler snow pictures he shares are a perfect example of this. They show him in a Colorado blizzard while his brother is fishing in the sun. This stark difference is more than just a funny picture; it’s a powerful reminder that where you live matters—especially when it comes to your Medicare coverage.

Are you having any issues? If so, reach out and book a time on my calendar. Anyone on an Advantage plan has till the end of March to make a change if they are unhappy!

Here in Colorado, we are beholding the Ides of March with 30 plus inches and it’s still coming down ❄️. Client Becky around the corner said we came home too early…

Plato didn’t seem to mind, not one bit. He thinks we timed it just right 🐶.

It was raining ☔ in England most of the time I was visiting our Air Force son. You know your boy is in the right place when he takes you to the Duxford Air Museum when he isn’t working on the base. It was a pleasure to spend time with him and to learn about his adventures. The young’uns sure grow up fast 😲.

So now that Quantz and I are home and together again, there’s plenty to catch up on, inside and outside the house. She does the mail, the bills, and the inside stuff.

My job is outside the house – gutters, yard, and snow removal.

Now, shoveling snow is great cardio, but beware! According to The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, over 11,500 people were treated each year in Emergency Rooms over a 16 year period for snow shoveling related incidents 😱.

According to another article, “your level of risk largely depends on your fitness level and whether you have cardiovascular risk factors, such as a history of cardiac or vascular disease, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or another chronic condition.”

If you do choose to take on a physically taxing chore, beware. Snow shoveling “drives up a person’s heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, since the chore requires engaging seldom-used arm muscles while the legs are mostly still, blood tends to pool in the lower extremities. At the same time, cold temperatures constrict the arteries, decreasing the amount of blood and oxygen reaching the heart ❤️🏥.”

Google “Area Agency on Aging” to find local resources. Many cities have a website like ours to help seniors with snow shoveling.

Of course you could always ask the neighbor kids if they want to earn a couple of bucks.

Make sure whatever chore you tackle won’t cause you to end up in the emergency room. Remember last week’s newsletter on messed up medical billing?

As our daughter Sus said many years ago, when I hurt my back overdoing it in a yoga class “don’t be a hero daddy.”

When I told my little brother Haas in Virginia about the snow, he couldn’t help but immediately send a pic and rub it in. It’s always good to laugh at yourself, right?

Largemouth brother catching a largemouth bass 😂🐟. I sure am grateful to have him in my life.

So that’s it for this week. As they say in the musical Annie, “the sun’ll come out tomorrow,” especially if my wife Q is around (and she even helped me shovel), I’m a lucky man. Even money says all the snow’ll be gone by next weekend. What say you?

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.

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a story about shoveling snow have to do with my Medicare plan? It’s a great question. An unexpected injury from a common chore like shoveling can quickly turn into an emergency room visit. Understanding how your specific Medicare plan covers emergencies, from deductibles to hospital networks, before something happens is key. This story is a friendly reminder to be prepared and to know the details of your health coverage.

I’m in good shape for my age. Do I really need to worry about chores like this? It’s wonderful that you feel healthy and active. The main concern isn’t about general fitness, but about how sudden, strenuous activities can affect the body, especially when combined with factors like cold weather. These tasks can put a unique strain on your heart and muscles. It’s always wise to know your limits and listen to your body, no matter how fit you are.

You mentioned finding local help for seniors. How do I find these resources? A great place to start is by searching online for your local “Area Agency on Aging.” These agencies are fantastic hubs of information and can often connect you with trusted local programs that help seniors with tasks like snow removal, yard work, and other home maintenance.

How does an emergency room visit get covered by Medicare? Coverage for an ER visit really depends on the type of Medicare plan you have. If you have Original Medicare, you’ll typically pay a copayment for the visit and a percentage of the cost for doctor services. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your costs will be different, based on the plan’s specific copayments and deductibles. Reviewing your plan’s documents is the best way to know your exact costs.

Why does it matter where I live when it comes to Medicare? Your location is one of the biggest factors in your Medicare choices. Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plan options, costs, and provider networks are all based on your state and county. A plan that works perfectly for a friend in another state might not even be available to you. This is why getting guidance based on your specific address is so important.

Key Takeaways

Assess the risk before you start: Physically demanding jobs like shoveling snow can put a dangerous strain on your heart. It’s important to consider your current fitness level and any health conditions before taking on a strenuous task.
Know when to stop and avoid being a hero: Pushing your body past its limits can lead to serious injuries, unexpected emergency room visits, and the headache of dealing with complicated medical bills.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help: You don’t have to handle demanding chores by yourself. Your local Area Agency on Aging is an excellent resource for finding community support for tasks like snow removal.

Get off your high horse!

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

Are you having any issues with your coverage? If so, reach out and book a time on my calendar. Anyone on an Advantage plan has till the end of March to make a change if they are unhappy!

OK, the sky’s not falling, but I am on my high horse, watching out for scams. Despite writing about this last week, we almost got burned🔥.

My wife Q received this email invoice and asked me if we should pay😱! It’s always worth a second look before you pay a bill and this one was completely bogus.

This week, we need to revisit Medical Billing. Now don’t fall asleep 😪. If we don’t pay attention to these common billing mistakes, it could cost us money💰.

According to Becker’s Hospital CFO Report, 4 out of 5 medical bills contain at least one minor error.

Not all of these errors result in higher bills, but many do. If there is an error in your bill, according to Medicare, here are a few of things you can do.

→ Get a detailed bill resent by the provider and check it to make sure the service you were billed for was actually the service you received.

→ Ask the doctor for a copy of your medical records and compare this to the bill.

→ Look up the medical billing codes online. Compare them to your bill. If they don’t match what you got, contact your provider’s billing department.

→ Confirm the bill was actually sent to your insurance company. Billing departments sometimes send bills to the consumer instead of sending them to the insurance company.

→ Call the billing department and have them submit the bill to the insurance company so that it is processed correctly.

→ If you are stuck with an expensive bill, make sure they are charging a fair price and not overcharging you ($200 aspirin). Consider checking FairHealth to get a sense of fair market prices and negotiate from there.

→ You can also ask for help from a Patient Assistance program in your state. Here is a link.

→ One final tip: “If you’re being admitted to a hospital and asked to sign a document of financial responsibility, write in that you agree only if your care is in network, says Elisabeth Rosenthal, M.D., author of “An American Sickness.” See Consumer Reports.

In the meantime, 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:

Everything in moderation, even moderation!

Greetings and may this blog post find you in great health with your Medicare coverage working properly as we await March Madness and college basketball to begin🏀.

My favorite sports cartoon of all time had this caption, and I paraphrase, “hang your hopes and fading dreams on your favorite athletic teams.”

It’s a cold, rainy Friday afternoon here in Britain. I’m here in our son’s kitchen, working on the newsletter and STILL waiting for the dang plumber… two days after he promised to come, grrr. Life’s the same everywhere, right?

Thank you Rick in Colorado for sharing this important email he received from Medicare regarding Advantage plans.

Are you having issues, questions, or do you need to shop? Book a time on my calendar or give me a call. I’m here to help so you can ignore the illegal Medicare Telemarketing Scammer Dogs 😊!

If everything is working, you’re good👍. If you aren’t happy 😠👎😤…

Well, you better call Karl📞(don’t call Saul).

Last week, I shared info on the importance of upping your protein 🍗 as we age. Lack of protein can cause some very solvable problems (read about them here).

This week …

It’s all about reducing blood sugar 🍩🍦🍪🍭🍰.

Now before you disappear (Nicholas seen here climbing into Ely Cathedral’s 800 year old octagon tower 🏰) … hold on!

“It’s an accepted fact that people with Type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.” Some health care practitioners are beginning to consider Alzheimer’s to be Type 3 diabetes. So, anything we can do to lower blood sugar is probably a good thing.

Yes, diet is absolutely important, staying away from added sugar and refined foods will definitely improve metabolic fitness, we already know that, but…

There are lots of other things we can do to lower blood sugar. It’s not an all or nothing situation.

As dad always said, seen here with mom on their wedding day 65 years ago on the 28th: “Everything in moderation, even moderation💡!”

Miraculously, my brother Rob was born six months after this picture, hmmm 👶.

But I digress, let’s get back to the simple things we can do to reduce blood sugar.

Moderate exercise (this is my morning 2.5 mile walk to Mindenhall for coffee and a chat with the locals) three times a week for thirty minutes, over 8 weeks will improve metabolic fitness and improve insulin resistance.

One study showed that even “single session of low intensity exercise will increase insulin sensitivity.”

Just be sure to skip the whipped cream at Starbucks, though I love that UK Starbucks welcome weiner dogs inside❤️.

Our Plato back home would be totally jealous. He’s such an underprivileged dog!

Other things you can do, and they all come from this fantastic article (thanks Gray):

• Get more sleep
• Reduce stress (see pic of Plato above if you need a role model)
• Consume protein and fat first and then eat carbs
• Add vinegar to your diet
• Eat more cinnamon
• Don’t drink lots of water with your meal

Don’t get overwhelmed or discouraged. Pick one thing and add it, let me know if it helps. Send a picture celebrating your success, or what gives you joy.

What’s my joy? Airman Nicholas just got home from his base, shockingly, the plumber didn’t show. Oh well!

Please remember our soldiers and keep them in your hearts, it’s a crazy world out there!

In the meantime, 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:

Are you running low on protein?

Greetings and may this blog post find you in great health with your Medicare coverage working properly.

Are you having any issues with your coverage? If so, reach out to Gray or book a time on my calendar. We’re here to help so you can ignore the Medicare Telemarketers!

Yours truly is in Britain, visiting our Air Force son, and you are probably wondering where’s my wife, the mighty Q?

Quantz is still in South America, checking off countries on her bucket list. These pictures are from Iguazu, some of the largest waterfalls in the world.

When I was there in 1983, the catwalks you see below were completely washed away. Q’s pictures remind me how impressive the water is.

The Amazon is such a fascinating place, filled with animals like the coatimundi, racoon-like creatures that will eat almost anything.

Which brings us to the topic of today, protein.

A study in the Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, indicates that older adults in the US aren’t getting enough protein.

Analyzing data from over 11,000 adults aged 51 and above, they found that nearly half of the older participants didn’t consume adequate protein regularly.

Not getting enough protein isn’t just about muscles; it could signal that someone’s diet and overall health might need a boost. As we get older, our muscles start to shrink, which can make us weaker and more prone to falling.

Individuals over 50 “whose protein intake was lower than the recommended level had a poorer diet overall, as well as ‘significantly more functional limitations.’ These people consumed fewer healthful foods such as greens and beans, dairy, seafood, and plant protein foods.”

”Despite the protein craze in America, the data shows there’s still a big gap in adults’ protein intake.”

Great sources of protein include rice, beans, lentils, soy, and quinoa, as well as eggs, dairy, or meat. This was Quantz’s dinner in La Paz, Bolivia, the highest capital in the world. She never figured out what the food on the left of the plate actually was.

So just to make sure I practiced what I preached, yours truly had a ribeye and “chips” in the Mildenhall Market. I feel stronger already.

Most important, 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:

By all means, don’t do this!

Greetings and may this blog post find you in great health with your Medicare coverage working properly.

Connie in Ohio reminded me she’s still being bombarded by illegal Medicare calls.

If someone calls, ask for their insurance license number and watch them disappear!

Remember, it’s against the law for anyone to call about Medicare coverage without permission!

Call centers want to switch you, but they won’t be there to help when things go south. Good luck with that overseas call center trying to fix your problem!

It’s no surprise that Medicare is a pain in the…

So, if you’re having problems, or you want to review your coverage, or check options, reach out to Gray or book a time on my calendar. We’ll get it fixed, that’s a promise!

Last week, we talked about keys to longevity, things you can do to be healthier.

And even though Quantz calls me a “nudge,” this week, let’s focus on things to avoid!

Don’t isolate: Lack of social interaction can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. Stay connected with friends, family, and the community, or look what happens! If you isolate, you become roadkill!

Don’t engage in unhealthy habits: Excessive drinking, smoking, or a sedentary lifestyle can negatively impact physical and mental health. Prioritizing healthy behaviors is crucial for maintaining well-being. Moderation is the key, right Q!

Don’t stick to rigid routines: While routines can be comforting, avoid becoming too rigid in your schedules. Flexibility and spontaneity can add excitement and variety to life. Just ask Plato!

Don’t dwell on the past: Avoid dwelling on past regrets or missed opportunities. Give thanks for what is going well, the people in your life, and look forward to the future.

The man above was my second father, Luke Sr. He was climbing ladders, causing mischief, and moving forward to the very last minute. His spontaneity and zest for living continue to be my inspiration.

Don’t compare yourself to others: Comparing can lead to feelings of inadequacy or gloating (Remember what my brother Rob said last week?) Focus on your own journey, celebrate your accomplishments, count your blessings. It’s not what happens, it’s how you choose to respond. Robert is proof of that! Keep going, keep going, keep going!

Most important, 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:

Here’s an idea that may be helpful

May this note find you in good spirits with your Medicare coverage working properly this Super Bowl 🏈 Weekend.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for some really good commercials 😂📺! Perhaps even a good game, you never know.

Hopefully your coverage is working well. Have you received all your cards?

If not, reach out to Gray or book a time on my calendar if it’s complicated. We’ll get it fixed.

When watching pro sports, I’m always amazed & inspired by the elite level of fitness these men and women achieve, but…

For most of us regular humans, it’s not realistic or particularly helpful to wish for the same abilities.

Instead, our health care practitioners point to the importance of simple tried and true methods for maintaining health and longevity. I’ll summarize this article and share their most important suggestions.

Keep Moving: Regular exercise, like walking, boosts heart health, muscle strength, and balance. Aim for at least 20 minutes a day.

One of the loveliest forms of exercise we saw in the squares of Buenos Aires was Tango, people breaking into dance as part of their community rituals.

Regrettably, Q and I have NO rhythm, but we sure enjoyed watching and walking the streets to explore and getting in our steps.

Build and cherish relationships: Spend time with friends and family to beat loneliness and boost your mood. Good connections not only keep you healthier but also make life happier as you grow older.

We connected with this young fellow next to us in the bar in the old neighborhood of San Telmo, Buenos Aires. He is a Brazilian student who first trained as a lawyer but is now in Medical School Argentina. It was so interesting to hear his story as we practiced our Spanish and he practiced his English.

Stay Positive: Cultivating optimism is linked to a lower risk of heart disease and longer life. Positive thinking fosters healthier habits and resilience.

How do we stay positive? That’s the real question. For each of us, it’s going to be different.

My big brother Rob has been in a wheelchair since 2018 and he helps me put life in perspective by sharing how he sees the world:

“The quadriplegic wishes he had the mobility of me, the paraplegic. I wish for the mobility of the guy with crutches. The guy with crutches wants to be like the guy who can walk. The guy who walks wants to be like the super athlete. On it goes. I choose to give thanks for what I still have, for what I am still capable of doing.” Amen brother Rob!

Manage Health Conditions: Follow medical advice to manage conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. It helps prevent serious complications.

I had been moaning to Quantz about a sore hip for months but had done nothing. Q twisted my arm, in a loving way, so I set a telemedicine appointment with Dr. Bruno Spinassi, an orthopedic surgeon, here in Buenos Aires. Two medications and some physical therapy later, yours truly is a new man.

Don’t wait for something minor to turn into something major.

Here’s a great suggestion from Barb in Texas:

“Many cities have mobile urgent cares that come to your home and are covered by Medicare. We utilized one in December and it saved us hours in the ER, or going to the local Urgent Care, which isn’t always faster. They require a 4 hour arrival window and were here in 1 hour.”

Be certain to check with insurance provider before you engage this service.

This sculpture now needs serious care. Until January, it was the marvel of Buenos Aires, a metal flower that opened and closed during the day. High winds in January destroyed it.

Get Good Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours each night. Quality sleep is vital for overall health and lowers the risk of memory problems. Don’t sleep with your phone and put it away a few hours before you go to bed.

Adequate sleep not only enhances overall well-being but also reduces the risk of dementia and other cognitive impairments.

Eat Healthily: Embrace a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like those found in the Mediterranean diet. This dietary approach lowers the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and dementia.

Everything in moderation, including gelato🍨.

Quit Smoking, Limit Drinking: Quitting smoking reduces the risk of deadly diseases. Limit alcohol to one drink daily for women, two for men, to avoid health problems.

Did I say moderation? I thought we ordered a small 🍺! By following these simple tips, you can boost your chances of living a longer, healthier life.

Most important, 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:

The Big 65: Your Expert Medicare Guide

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

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.

Word on the street is Punxsutawney Phil did NOT see his shadow this week so keep your fingers crossed for an early spring.

When Quantz and I visited Pucon, Chile this week, each of us had a different take on the experience.

I’m normally accused of being the optimist, but I can tell you that I was a lot more focused on the 800 pound gorilla behind the lake, that little plume of smoke that never stopped (and making sure we had a full tank of gas just in case she blew!)

Naturally Q wasn’t worried in the least. Her focus is always the same: see as much as we can before it’s too late. That’s why I love her, even though she keeps cracking the whip! It’s all about balance, right?

Since most of my time is spent helping clients navigate Medicare choices and avoiding irreversible mistakes, today, let’s review:

Emergency Room versus Urgent Care versus Primary Care, which one should I use?

Let’s keep this simple, if the turkey vultures are circling, head straight to the Emergency room for any of the following:

• Cardiac discomfort or chest tightness
• Complex fracture (bone break with visible exposure)
• Trauma to the head region
• Lung inflammation or severe respiratory infection
• Epileptic episodes or convulsions

ER visits should also be considered for:

• Signs of a stroke, numbness, weakness, or slurred speech.
• Suspected poisoning or exposure to dangerous chemicals.
• Severe headaches, especially if accompanied by confusion or neurological symptoms.
• Persistent high fever in adults.
• Severe allergic reactions with difficulty breathing or swelling.
• Severe mental health crisis, thoughts of self-harm, or harming others.

Remember, this list is NOT all inclusive. If it’s life threatening go to the Emergency Room.

Consider Urgent Care for:

• Minor injuries like sprains, strains, or minor fractures.
• Non-life-threatening cuts that may require stitches
• Minor burns or rashes.
• Common illnesses like colds, flu, ear infections, and sore throats.
• Mild to moderate asthma or allergy symptoms.
• Mild allergic reactions, such as hives.
• Fevers without severe symptoms or underlying health conditions.
• Minor urinary tract infections.
• Minor eye injuries or infections.
• Minor dental issues, such as a chipped tooth or toothache.
• Prescription refills or non-urgent medication issues.
• Routine vaccinations and physicals.

And Primary Care? Well, you probably know the answer to this one, routine visits, vaccinations, important care but not urgent care or emergency care, right?

As common sense as this sounds, taking a few minutes to review could save you time, trouble and 💵!

But the most important reason? Over utilization of Emergency Rooms reduces their efficiency, reduces the quality of care, and takes resources away from all of us when really need to be treated.

It’s up to each of us to do what we can to make things better.

The word from our daughter Sus is that Plato is doing just fine. We are very fortunate that Sus keeps an eye on him when we are out of town. I guess we must have done something right.

We met an amazing American this week, Ed Ritter from Pennsylvania.

Ed and his wife retired a few years ago and now they travel quite a bit.

What was so amazing about Ed? He’s a vanishing American species:

A political centrist. When Ed returns home, he plans to run for the State House of Representatives as an alternative to the extremists on all sides of the aisles.

Ed will attempt to find a middle ground. Remember, when neither side is completely happy, that’s probably a good thing. It was so refreshing to talk with someone who isn’t just going to talk, he’s going to try!

And he’s from our tribe, a retiree getting ready to make a difference! Remember this movie? Go get ’em Ed!

Meanwhile, Quantz keeps me moving. I hope you are moving too! Never stop, connect with your friends, learn something new.

Most important, 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:

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:

Tag: Karl Bruns-Kyler

I messed up this week and I need some balance

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Everything in moderation, even moderation!

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By all means, don’t do this!

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The Big 65: Your Expert Medicare Guide

Screen Time and the Pursuit of Happiness