Think before you speak!

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

Thank goodness the Annual Election Period (AEP) is over. I am so grateful to have connected with so many of you over the past three months, but I have to confess…

Karl jumping for joy as Karl watches in delight.

Plato and I celebrated when things finally finished. Don’t worry if we didn’t speak during AEP.

Book a time on my calendar if we need to catch up.

Suz and Max decorating Karl's Christmas tree.

Our rock climbing daughter Sus came down from Fort Collins to help decorate the tree (you know I’m not going up that ladder). Max helped us cut and decorate the tree (he’s a climber too).

The tree only fell twice (I’m guilty as charged) and they did manage to bolt it to the wall … live and learn, right?

Plato balancing a green bow on his nose in time for Christmas.

Plato’s been loving the season, mainly because Q got him an Advent Calendar filled with treats – wait for it!!!

Karl's eye doctor - Dr. Jacobs in Colorado.

Now that things have calmed down with Medicare, I’m taking care of all those things you should be taking care of. I checked in with my Eye Doctor, Dr. Jacobs. My glasses are up to date, check!

Karl at Costco getting his hearing aids checked.

I visited Erin at Costco and updated my hearing aids, check! I also made an appointment to get my teeth cleaned.

Remember, if you have an Advantage plan, the benefits don’t roll over into the new calendar year so be sure to use any benefits before they go away

Visiting neighbors in Colorado.

It’s been great to get back out for longer walks so Plato can check in with all his friends and all our amazing neighbors. Checking in with friends just makes you feel better.

Cinda and Brad hosted annual Sherriff's Dept volunteer appreciation dinner in Colorado.

Client Cinda and her husband Brad hosted the annual Sherriff’s Department’s volunteer appreciation dinner (where Q volunteers). It was so much fun to meet all the different volunteers and to meet the Sherriff of Douglas County. Don’t worry, I really was on my best behavior. Too bad they weren’t passing out “Get out of Jail free” cards. Maybe next year.

Arizona residents Jay and Tina visiting a park.

Arizona residents Jay and Tina took time earlier this month to explore some of our amazing National Parks, including Antelope Canyon. It’s still on our bucket list of places to see.

Thanks to Rose for sending this, do you know about the four agreements?

It is such a helpful reminder, great rules to live by and especially helpful when we spend time with friends and family.

Yours truly, broke number three over Thanksgiving with friends and had to ask for forgiveness. Fortunately my friends have big hearts and they did forgive me. Let’s all do our best to be impeccable with our words, to not take anything personally, to not make assumptions, and to always do our best.

All we can do is try.

The Four Agreements.

One of the best ways to make these holidays even more meaningful is to reach out and reconnect with the important people in our lives.

I first met Marcos 40 years ago as student in Bolivia. Now he’s an engineer in Chicago.

We stay in touch but we hadn’t spoken in months so I just called him on the fly.

Turns out he was back in Bolivia visiting family and we had a delightful time face timing and reminiscing on all our old adventures, good for the heart, good for the soul.

Karl on phone call with his old friend Marcos.

Feed your soul, help others, laugh as much as you can, forgive everyone, do your best, enjoy the holiday the lights, and remember that life is short, even if we live to be a hundred, it’ll be gone in the blink of an eye.

Karl's loved ones in front of Christmas tree.

All we have is this day, this moment, this one chance to live well, to love others, and to learn. Take nothing for granted and do your best. Plato is counting on you!

Plato with a ribbon on his nose.

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

Medicare questions or problems?

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

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

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

 

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


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

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

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

Blue, red, and white logo for The Big 65 Medicare insurance broker.

Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage Plans – Which Are Better?

May this blog post/newsletter find you in good health with your Medicare insurance working properly. 

Thank goodness, less than two weeks left in the Annual Election Period.

Most of the promises are bogus, but if you do have questions, feel free to book a time on my calendar.

In the meantime, Dan and Sam hope everyone had a…

Dan and Sam with Happy Thanksgiving sign_The Big 65

Today, I’ll touch on the question: Medicare Supplement or Advantage Plans – Which Are Better?  But first … 

In reviewing plans with clients all over the country, it has been fun to hear how different folks celebrated the holiday.

You can tell by the smiles that Jack, Adrienne and her Mamma lived large and enjoyed the day. What a handsome family.

Jack, Adrienne and her Mamma portrait_The Big 65

One of the questions I get every day is:

Medicare Supplement or Advantage Plans – Which Are Better?

Honestly, it’s kind of like asking which is better, being Catholic or being Protestant?

My job is to present the good, the bad, and the ugly of each type of plan. Much depends on how you use healthcare services.

I love the simplicity of Medicare Supplements, but I dislike that the premiums continue to rise.

I love the value based model of Medicare Advantage plans, but I dislike how hard it can sometimes be to navigate the networks.

Each person’s situation is different so the important thing is to draw your own conclusions. If you want to go deep, here’s an interesting article.

Karl, Quantz, and Plato - Thanksgiving fun_The Big 65

Thanksgiving in our house was pretty quiet. Florence, our exchange student, was out of town, Sus, our daughter traveled on Thanksgiving, so we ate ham and postponed the dinner till after my busy season.

Sus did stop by the evening before Thanksgiving and crushed me in board games. Remember when you used to let them win? The tide has shifted :).

Sus dominates on board game_The Big 65

Perhaps you know the value I place on trying new things, keeping your brain active, living a life of service? Well, I’ve started a new hobby, tutoring English.

Karl online teaching English_The Big 65

Every Sunday morning, I share a screen with my French faux grandchildren (the sons of our first exchange student from twenty years ago) and we practice English. It is exhausting and fun. What are you doing to improve the lives and the brains of your grandvarmints?

If you don’t have grandkids, there are plenty of local programs desperate for volunteers. Okay, I’ll say it again (Q says I’m a nag) but, the secret to living well is living for others.

Frog tree from Karen in Michigan_The Big 65

Now we move on to Christmas. Client Karen in Michigan sent this picture of her frog tree. Years ago, one of her bosses got it into his head that she was crazy about frogs (she wasn’t) and somehow everyone around her glommed onto the idea and started giving her frogs and voila! Ain’t life funny? Please send pictures of what’s going on in your life and…

Feel free to forward this newsletter to friends and family with Medicare questions! Referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

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


Karl Bruns-Kyler

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


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.

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Broker logo

What About My Medicare Meds?

Greetings Medicare Insurance Seeker!

It’s that time of year when everyone is being bombarded with false promises of Medicare gold!

If you are taking prescriptions, it’s a good idea to review your options.

1. Look at your Annual Notice of Changes. If the drugs have switched tiers, beware of higher costs.

2. Before filling your prescription, make sure the pharmacy you are going to is a preferred pharmacy in the Part D network.

3. Before filling your prescription, ask the pharmacist the “cash price” for the medication. Sometimes the price your pharmacy can offer is LESS than the discount you receive through your Part D drug plan.

4. Finally, before filling your prescription, check the price using a discounting online app like Goodrx.com. Sometimes this app can really save you money.

Finally, the Annual Election Period is from October 15th through December 7th.

If you have questions about your Medicare Supplement, your Medicare Advantage Plan or your Part D drug coverage…

Book a time on my calendar here and we’ll see if we can reduce your costs and improve your benefits.

Have a great week and call me if you need me!