Medicare insurance agent Archives

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:

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.

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:

Do you know what it takes to live to 100?

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

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

Long time clients (and friends) Jack and Adrienne shared this amazing picture celebrating Jack’s mom Bonnie’s 100th Birthday 🎂🎉. Adrienne’s mom lived happily and well into her nineties so Jack and Adrienne have great role models!

Ever wonder what it takes to reach that magical milestone of 100 years? It’s not just about good genes or luck (of course they help). Let’s dive in to fun and practical tips to help us live well and perhaps make it to that centennial birthday.

Stay Active and Engaged

First things first – keep moving! Whether it’s a morning walk, gardening, or joining a pickleball league, staying active is crucial. The Big 65 recently sponsored a tournament in Columbus, Ohio. I hear from clients across the country how much they enjoy the game. I’m pleased to say David and Pam attended and participated.

Pam is actually a professional pickleball player and instructor. This woman is so fit she may never die 😊.

Regular physical activity helps maintain mobility, balance, and overall health. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to socialize.

Stay Connected

Maintain strong social ties. Family, friends, community groups—these connections keep us happy and grounded. I ran into Bill at Home Depot and just by reconnecting and saying hello, both of us felt better.

And if you enjoy traveling like my wife and I do, use it as an opportunity to meet new people and experience new things.

Last weekend, we attended a Bourbon and Bacon festival with Susanna and her boyfriend. All three of them practiced moderation, but I was a bit of a pig 🐷😂.

It was great to spend time with Sus and KC and while we were in the mountains, we discovered the world’s first aqua doodle 🐩💧, good old Plato!

Find Joy in the Little Things

Take time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life: a cup of coffee at a cozy café, a walk through town, or a quiet moment in your garden. These small moments add up to a fulfilling life.

Carmen has two beautiful grandchildren who live overseas. She recently celebrated the arrival of her first grand dog, Jamie. AFTER puppies are potty trained, THEN they reduce the blood pressure, right Carmen?

Regular Check ups

Stay on top of your health with regular check-ups. Early detection of potential issues can make a big difference. And of course, make sure your Medicare coverage is up to date to avoid any surprises. Preventive health checks are the most important thing we can do to maintain good health.

Living to 100 isn’t just about the years in your life but the life in your years. Embrace these tips, stay vibrant, and here’s to a long, healthy, and joyful journey ahead!

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:

Have a little heart

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

Any problems with your coverage? If so, book a time on my calendar or shoot an email to my admin Gray@TheBig65.com. Let us know 😊☎️.

Plato, Q and I had a quiet Easter Sunday at home in Colorado. Sometimes it’s just nice to relax, isn’t it?

We rose early and breakfasted at The Original Pancake House, our favorite national breakfast chain. Be sure to save up your statins if you order the apple pancakes and the bacon, but man oh man, it’s worth it, three meals from one order. I don’t like their coffee, but we love their pancakes.

Which brings us to today’s topic, heart health.

You don’t have to be a doctor to know that moderation is the secret to good living. Paying better attention to our health is an important part of aging well.

Here are some helpful ideas backed by studies to promote heart health.

Stay Active:

• Engage in regular physical activity tailored to your abilities. Even gentle exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga can significantly benefit heart health. How about polishing the silverware?

• According to a study published in the American Heart Association journal, regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease in older adults by 25%.

Manage Stress:

• Practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or hobbies that bring joy and relaxation.

• A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that stress management techniques can lead to significant improvements in heart health among seniors.

Every time I bike the bluffs, I try to drop a rock on this cairn.

Monitor Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels:

• Regularly check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels as per your doctor’s recommendations.

• Research has shown that maintaining optimal blood pressure and cholesterol levels can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in older adults.

Stay Socially Connected:

• Maintain strong social connections with friends, family, and community groups. Social isolation has been associated with an elevated risk of heart disease and mortality. Tina and her sisters take a weekend trip together every year.

• According to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, seniors who actively engage in social activities have better heart health outcomes. For Luke and Carmen, that means travelling forty three hours from Virginia to Jakarta to spend time with their grandvarmints.

Get Sufficient Sleep:

• Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Poor sleep patterns have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular issues.

• A study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation revealed that older adults who consistently get enough sleep have healthier hearts compared to those who experience sleep disturbances.

Marcel just arrived in the US from the Netherlands to watch the Solar Eclipse. Will you get to see it?

Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet:

• Embrace a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like those found in nuts, seeds, and olive oil.

• Research from the American Heart Association suggests that adhering to a Mediterranean-style diet can lower the risk of heart disease among older individuals by up to 30%.

• My little brother Haas grows a lot of food on his farm in the Shenandoah Valley. This weekend, he’ll be hunting for Morell mushrooms, if the deer and the gobblers don’t get to them first.

Caring for your heart is a lifelong endeavor, and we can take proactive steps to safeguard our cardiovascular health. Remember, it’s never too late to prioritize your heart health!

As the famous saying goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Let’s start nurturing our hearts today for a healthier tomorrow.

Great news! Due to your responses, Exercise Physiologist and Registered Dietician Cate Reade has agreed to create a wellness webinar on balance for The Big 65. We’ll announce the dates next Saturday. See how excited my brother Rob is 😉😂.

Please email the questions or topics you’d like Cate to address.

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

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:

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

Beware the Snow Ides of March!

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

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

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
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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:

Good News for 2024!

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

Can you believe the year is almost over? That’s what happens when you blink, life just keeps on zipping by!

Hopefully you are in good shape for 2024 but feel free to book a time on my calendar if you need help or reach out to my admin Gray.

Talk about time flying, Q and I celebrated 35 years of marriage this week, no attorneys required, thank goodness. Some of you certainly have us beat so send a picture and the number of years. Longest married (with a picture) wins a prize!

We celebrated with breakfast at Snooze and they even threw in complimentary anniversary pancakes! The funniest part? The bill was exactly $35 bucks, go figure.

I almost missed the fancy card and the quality control survey Quantz put on my napkin. Of course I gave her five stars.

Apparently we weren’t the only ones celebrating this week. Joe’s sister in North Carolina sent this affectionate display to celebrate her brother’s birthday: Bikes, booze, barbecue and of course his wife Becky!

Are you preparing to make 2024 the most joyous year ever? Here are some ideas that could be helpful in making the New Year even more meaningful. They come from Japan.

Ikigai, find purpose in your life. Pursue activities that align with your passions, talents, and reasons for being alive. Whether that means taking care of your family, sharing your faith, sharing your home, working, or volunteering, tapping into your purpose, your reason for remaining above ground will make the world better and bring a smile to your face.

My Ikigai is to help others, to take care of family, and to try to produce more than I consume. If I can put a smile on another person’s face, then it is double plus good.

Kaizen, small, continuous improvements in various aspects of our lives.

We are a culture obsessed with the pursuit of massive gains, but real change typically involves small simple actions over a long period of time, not dramatic shifts.

A few extra steps every day, substituting oatmeal for Krispy Kreme doughnuts, practicing your balance while brushing your teeth… aim for gradual and sustainable progress over time. One percent better over time can produce profound results.

Our daughter Sus applies Kaizen to her hobbies. This winter she learned to make light box frames and gave us one for Xmas. I admire her ability to never give up and to always be learning new things. Of course she may need to apply Kaizen to her garage!

Hara Hachi Bu, don’t over fill yourself with food. We are blessed with an abundance of food at this time of year and I love to make Momofuku Bo Ssaam (Korean Pork Shoulder with sauces) and cheese fondue, my ultimate comfort foods.

“Hara hachi bu” is a Japanese concept that encourages people to eat until they are 80% full, promoting mindful and moderate eating for better health and longevity.

Of course we should enjoy our time with family and friends, and breaking bread together is one of life’s greatest joys, but… if we can catch ourselves before we are completely full, we can enjoy all of the benefits of food and companionship without the regret.

I definitely overate several times this holiday. That’s why I share these ideas. They are helpful reminders for me!

Shoshin, approach every task as a beginner.

Whether it’s a board game (like the totally inappropriate but fun game “Cards Against Humanity”) or trying to resolve a Medicare issue, Shoshin emphasizes the attitude of approaching things with openness, eagerness, and a lack of preconceptions, allowing for continuous learning and growth.

A few weeks ago, I put my foot in my mouth with a close friend. A beginner’s mind would have helped so much. All we can do is learn, ask for forgiveness, and learn to laugh at ourselves. As Adam Grant so poignantly writes:

And best of all and perhaps the most challenging, Wabi-Sabi, embracing imperfection.

We are imperfect at best and that’s what makes us human and loveable. Accept that nothing is perfect, and appreciate the beauty in flaws, whether in objects, people, or situations.

Holidays give us a chance to connect with the important people in our lives. We can focus on the flaws or we can focus on the connections. The easy part is finding what’s wrong, the secret is remembering what is right. Some days easy, some days hard. All we can do is keep going.

Just remember to be like Mary Beth; she could’ve driven past the stray dog on the highway and cursed at the folly of humans for not taking care of their commitments.

Instead, she stopped, backed up, and took action. Clara Bell is now the joy of her life and the world is a better place. Well done Mary Beth.

Last week, I took Plato to Ace Hardware to run an errand (Plato loves to go shopping). While in the checkout line, I heard a woman behind me comment, “what a big dog.” Remarkably (and I owe it ALL to blueberries), I recognized the woman’s voice (though we’d never met in person).

“Gigi?” I asked. She was shocked and I introduced myself, “I’m Karl from the Big 65 and we spoke a few weeks ago on the phone” (Gigi has a very distinct voice). It was so much fun to connect with her and her son and to learn about the service work she does as a volunteer helping immigrants.

That’s the great thing about Plato, he always helps me to connect with others. This is him eight years ago next to our daughter’s favorite stuffed animal.

So before the year ends, make it a mission to reach out to someone you love and remind them how important they are to you. Every moment, every connection is an opportunity to make things better. The choice is ours, now get busy! Happy New Year!

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: