Medicare Insurance Archives

AEP Countdown: Are You Ready 😛?

Greetings and may this blog find you in amazing health 💪 with your Medicare insurance coverage 🏥 working properly. Big prayers 🙏 to everyone in North Carolina experiencing the floods.

Remember, the Annual Election Period doesn’t begin until October 15th. Please don’t book a time BEFORE October 15th. Otherwise, Quantz and her friends in Ethiopia will be very put out.

You should have received our letter and the QR code on a jar opener like this to book a time for after October 15th. Here’s the link just in case.

If you’d like a small jar of honey🍯(smaller than Emerson’s cause he gets our mail), anyone with a Gmail address who writes a Google review with this link will get a jar. We have 297 and we’re trying to break 300 reviews!

If you don’t have a Gmail account, please leave a review on Facebook. That’ll be good for a jar of honey🍯 as well.

If you’ve already booked a time, Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com, or I will be calling to update your drugs and perhaps reschedule for later in October.

Don’t worry, we won’t give you any lip if you booked early😂.

From October 15th till December 7th, my mission is to get you out of any tight spots if:

Your plan was dropped😱.
Your drugs changed 💊.
Plan premiums went up 💵.
You’ve added or changed doctors👩‍⚕️.
You would like to make sure everything is ok 😬.

Here is my motto for the Annual Election Period:

I suspect Art and Esther’s new 5 month old Red Labrador Ruby will be well taken care of, too. Hopefully their Boxer Stella is on board with the project.

For those of you who are curious, Q did make it successfully out of Africa.

She had the trip of a lifetime, seeing extraordinary religious festivals like Meskel, commemorating the discovery of the Cross by Empress Helena (Constantine’s mother) in the 4th century. Ethiopia is a very religious country.

Q visited many different tribes and saw coming of age rituals (like this boy becoming a man jumping over the six white bulls).

I was tempted to join her in Madagascar and Ethiopia but even though Gray is available…

As your broker, I will only visit countries with excellent internet 💻📱so that you can always get a hold of me if you need me.

But after seven weeks apart, I couldn’t take it any more so…

I surprised her for a few days in this European capital famous for Mermaids…

Viking ships…

And excellent internet (which I used into the wee hours every night I was here). By the time you read this…I’ll already be back in Denver, ready for the busy season.

And though I’m back home, ready to catch up with everyone who needs me, Q is still exploring. She’s the one who inspired the motto at the end of every newsletter. That’s why I love her❤️.

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

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

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

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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:

Does Medicare Cover Travel?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recent clients travelled to Mexico with some serious health problems.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Medicare questions or problems?

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

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

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

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

Ready to Take the Pressure Off Your Heart❤️?

Hello and may may this blog find you in great health 💪 with your Medicare insurance coverage 🏥 working well. Are you getting through the summer heat?

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

It was over 90 degrees this week so Quantz decided we needed to visit the mountains to try to climb Mount Bierstadt, one of the many fourteen footers (mountains over 14,000 feet) here in Colorado. Now that is what we call “Rocky Mountain High!”

Fortunately, we are still in good health, but it is important to remember: visiting high altitudes can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure, especially those with severe heart conditions. So today, let’s talk about high blood pressure and how to manage this condition.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition that affects about half of adults in the United States. It’s known as the “silent killer” because it often doesn’t show symptoms until it has caused significant damage to the heart.

A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mm Hg. While medications can help, there are also various lifestyle changes you can make to reduce high blood pressure.

Start an Exercise Routine

• Staying active is key!
• Exercise helps lower blood pressure, boosts mood, strength, and balance.
• Reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
• Start slow if you’ve been inactive and gradually increase activity.
• Not a gym fan? Walk, jog, swim, or try YouTube exercise routines. Chair and low-impact exercises are great too.
• Include muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week.

Follow the DASH Diet

• The DASH diet can lower systolic blood pressure by up to 11 mm Hg.
• Focus on:
o Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
o Low-fat dairy, lean meats, fish, and nuts.
o Limit high-fat foods, processed items, and sweetened beverages.
• Small tweaks to your diet can make a big difference.

Even though it is June, there was still a bunch of snow on the mountain. Unfortunately, we didn’t bring crampons to make it up the final section. So we only made it up to 13,500 feet. My type A wife was a little disappointed, but that was plenty high enough for me. It’s all about the journey, right?

Limit Salt

• Reducing sodium is vital for lowering blood pressure.
• Limit sodium intake to 1,500-2,300 mg per day (about 1 teaspoon of salt).
• Use herbs and spices instead of salt.
• Check food labels and choose low-sodium alternatives.

Last time we climbed this peak was in July a few years back. A month makes a huge difference in the amount of wildflowers you see, but we did see some wildlife on this hike.

Maintain a Moderate Weight

• Losing just 10 pounds can help lower blood pressure.
• Keep an eye on waist measurements: less than 40 inches for males, 35 inches for females.
• Talk to a healthcare professional about safe weight loss methods.

We saw marmots, ptarmigans, and quite a few ravens.

• Quit Smoking
o Smoking raises blood pressure and increases heart disease risk.
o Quitting improves overall health and lowers blood pressure.

• Limit Alcohol
o Men: up to 2 drinks/day. Women: up to 1 drink/day.
o 1 drink = 12 oz beer, 4 oz wine, or 1.5 oz liquor.
o Excessive drinking can worsen blood pressure and medication effectiveness.

You don’t actually have to climb a mountain to the see the mountain goats. Just ask the locals in Georgetown and they’ll tell you where you can see them.

Practice Relaxation
• Stress raises blood pressure.
• Try deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
• Find and address stress triggers to manage pressure.

Definitely, DO NOT do ice bathing if you have blood pressure issues. Boy was that water cold!

Why It Matters

Untreated high blood pressure can lead to serious issues like stroke, heart attack, and kidney damage. Regular check-ups and monitoring at home can help manage it. Consult your doctor for a tailored treatment plan.

Stay active, eat well, and take care of your heart! We got in over 25,000 steps and now it’s back to the normal stuff, painting the boxes for our bee hives. Plato was glad we made it back safely.

I keep hearing good things from clients about drug savings. Before filling an expensive refill, reach out to Cori at the Canadian Med Store in Florida (yes, in Florida). No guarantees, but it’s always worth a second look to shop your drug costs.

It was a great adventure, but it’s always great to be home. This weekend, we will be taking it easy… or at least until Q tells me what we’re doing next! Stay curious!

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:

Changes to your Medicare Prescription Drug Plans for 2024

Greetings and may this note find you in great health with your Medicare coverage working properly. Today, I want to discuss changes to your Medicare Prescription Drug Plans for 2024. But first …

If you’re having problems, reach out to Gray or book a time on my calendar if it’s complicated.

Don’t you love the smile on this guy’s face? He’s enjoying the day tooling around the old town sharing his city with travelers in this classic car.

That’s the way I’d like to feel every day.

My reality is a little closer to this old tortoise who sleeps behind the planters in this old hotel.

Every morning, getting up and out is a little harder. I’m a little achier and often a little grumpier, but, a good cup of coffee makes all the difference in the world.

Once we get up and out, there are adventures waiting, especially when Quantz twists my arm and gets me to do something I’d enjoy but wouldn’t do on my own.

If it weren’t for her, I’d work more and enjoy less. Traveling with Q pushes my comfort zone.

This is an old German freighter off the coast of Aruba. Instead of letting it fall into Allied hands in 1942, the captain chose to sink her himself by flooding the boiler room and causing the engine to explode. I’m glad I wasn’t on board.

Our daughter Sus had to return to her home in Colorado because she had a burst pipe. As you can tell, Plato was happy to see her but he’s still mad at us for leaving him at home with her boyfriend.

Now Quantz, our Air Force son Nicholas, and I have moved on to explore Colombia.

Thanks to Tim in Firestone, Colorado for sharing an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal about drug trends for Medicare. Here’s the gist:

In 2024, Medicare Part D plans will have a ceiling of $8,000 for how much they and consumers (combined) will pay out of pocket.

Changes brought about by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act mean that people on Part D plans will pay no more than roughly $3,300 on drugs annually (subject to variation based on brand or generic medications).

In 2025, the cap will change to a flat $2,000.

The 5% coinsurance that patients had to pay after reaching the “catastrophic” spending threshold has been eliminated. This change is expected to offer significant savings to approximately 1.5 million people.

The cap on drug costs will force insurers and drugmakers to cover a larger part of the cost.

Potential downsides for Medicare patients include higher premiums and more complicated paperwork.

The changes represent a significant makeover to the Part D prescription-drug benefit.

Cancer drugs in pill form can be costly for people on Part D plans, and these changes are expected to provide substantial savings for patients with expensive medications.

Despite all the good news, drug costs seems to be one of the biggest frustrations everyone has.

Remember the following strategies when filling a prescription:

Often, physicians will prescribe a brand name medication without taking into consideration a client’s financial situation. Check with the doctor’s office to see if they can provide you with a sample before you shell out your own money.

If you are a prescribed a brand name drug, check with your pharmacist and find out if there is a generic alternative.

A single medication is always easier but sometimes, a combination of drugs can be used successfully and perhaps keep down your costs. Every situation is different so do your homework.

Before filling the prescription through your drug plan, ask the pharmacist if they have a cash price that is lower than your copay.

If you get into the catastrophic phase every year (which means the total cost of your drugs {paid by you and the drug plan, $8,000 for 2024} then you may want to run all of your drugs through plan but…

If you barely reach the donut hole each year ($5,030 paid by you and the drug plan) or never reach the donut hole, paying the cash price or using a third party tool like GoodRx, Amazon, or Cost Plus Drugs might save you some serious coin.

Life continues to be filled with a million moving pieces but if you take thirty minutes and make a few calls and check a few websites, it might really save you some money.

Please know that even though we are traveling, I have slots open every week if you need me.

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

Please don’t ever pay your bill immediately!

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

If you changed plans in the fall, you should have received your new ID cards by now.

If you haven’t, or if you’re having a carrier issue (and you’ve already spoken to the carrier), reach out to Gray and he’ll get you squared away.

In talking with clients this week, I’m hearing a lot about issues with billing.

According to this article, up to 80% of all medical bills have at least one error.

Client Stan tells me he’s pulled out most of his hair trying to get a shingles vaccine bill properly coded and submitted. He received incorrect information from the doctor and from Medicare ☹. Stan is a retired engineer so if someone as logical as he is can’t get the right answer, it sure is frustrating.

I wish I could tell you there was a single step you could take to avoid billing issues, but complicated problems are never solved that easily.

However, if you have a Medicare Supplement, Plan G, your only out-of-pocket for Medicare approved services (excluding drugs, dental, and vision) is $240.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, the summary of benefits should you provide you with exact costs for deductibles, copays and the maximum out of pocket each year.

Nevertheless, here are some suggestions to help you avoid over paying:

Check Your Information:

Billing errors can happen due to small mistakes on your insurance claim form.
Even a single missing digit in your insurance ID or a misspelled name can lead to denied claims and premature billing.
Verify that your insurance details on the bill are accurate and have been processed by your insurance company.

Compare to EOB:

After your health insurance processes claims, you’ll receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB).
Compare your medical bill to the EOB to ensure the amount on the invoice matches what your insurance says you owe.

Beware of Aggressive Billing:

Some providers may send bills while your insurance is still processing your claim.
Don’t pay these bills without checking with your insurance company.
Look for phrases like “Due Now,” “Estimated Amount Due,” or “Amount You May Owe.”

Request an Itemized Statement:

Medical bills often lack a detailed breakdown of charges.
Ask for an itemized statement to ensure you’re only paying for services and items you received.

Check Billing Codes:

Each medical procedure has a billing code (HCPS/CPT), and there are diagnosis codes (ICD-10) for medical conditions.
Review these codes to ensure they’re correct.
Mistakes in codes can lead to claim denials or unjustified procedures.
Research codes independently and take action if there’s an issue.

Negotiate a Reduction:

If your bill is more than you can afford, negotiate with the provider.
Find resources online to determine fair service costs.
Make your financial constraints known and ask for a discount or a payment plan.
Paying a lump sum may increase your chances of getting a discount.
Ask for zero interest on a payment plan.

Act Quickly:

Address your medical bills promptly to avoid collection agency involvement.
Hospitals must wait six months before reporting to credit bureaus, but late reporting can affect your credit for years.
Taking quick action can prevent future financial issues like higher interest rates or difficulty securing loans.

The bottom line: be slow and extra careful BEFORE you remit any payment to healthcare providers and call the insurance company for help as well. This process will not eliminate the number of mistakes, but hopefully it will reduce them.

In case you couldn’t tell, the Bruns-Kyler family is celebrating their first vacation as a family together in almost three years. We finally got our Air Force son together with the rest of the family at the same time. We are giving thanks for warm weather and this time together in Aruba. Can you tell Q was happy to see our son?

Remember, life is short. Don’t take anything or anyone for granted!

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:

Prepare to be amazed!

Happy New Year! Prepare to be amazed!

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

Is your 2024 off to a good start?

Q wasted no time getting Max and me to take down the Christmas tree while she packed up the ornaments.

It’s actually nice to have the open space again and Plato doesn’t seem to mind.

Hopefully your Medicare coverage is 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.

Just be sure to avoid all the Medicare commercials and the call centers. Remember, that’s why I’m here!

Despite a chilly winter here in Colorado, the bees have been incredibly busy. I had to refill both sugar boards and add new pollen paddies to the hives. Keep your fingers crossed the girls make it through the winter!

Bob and Sue tell me they’re counting on more honey for next year as well!

My favorite part of the holidays is always spending time with family and friends. We had a great time with Jeff and Vicki’s grand varmints playing spirited games of Jenga that always ended in glorious destruction.

So now that we have a few months of cold and dark to get through before spring, I’d like to remind you why life has never been better!

Now before you shout “not true,” let me absolutely confirm there are plenty of problems, but according to most measurable metrics, life on the planet is improving in dozens of measurable ways.

Remember, the media makes its money making us angry, interested, and upset and not by pointing out what’s going well. Therefore, it’s up to each of us to look for and build on the good every day.

Here are just a few of the remarkable accomplishments this year has seen.

Global health: numerous countries achieved disease elimination milestones. Egypt eradicated hepatitis C, formerly the world’s highest-burdened country. The Maldives triumphed over leprosy, while Bangladesh conquered both black fever and elephantiasis.

Niger led the way in Africa by eliminating river blindness, joined by Benin, Mali, and Iraq in eliminating trachoma. Timor-Leste, Bhutan, and North Korea celebrated the eradication of rubella, and Ghana achieved victory over sleeping sickness. Additionally, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Belize successfully eliminated malaria.”

(Lest we forget the small things, Deb spent time with her amazing son 😊)

In 2023, European cancer deaths dropped by 6.5% for men and 3.7% for women compared to 2018.

The United States saw a one-third reduction in cancer deaths over three decades.

Australia reported fewer skin cancers among those under 40. Promising advances were made in treating colon, skin, bladder, and cervical cancer.

Pfizer pledged to provide patented cancer drugs at cost to 1.2 billion people in low-income countries.

(And equally amazing, Italy allows dogs in the grocery stores 😲🌟!)

Obesity affects over 70% of US adults and more than half of Europe. New treatments like Ozempic and Wegovy not only promote substantial weight loss but also lower the risk of heart failure, heart attacks, and strokes. This year’s breakthrough confirms that these drugs can indeed protect the health of people with obesity.

(Partially amazing? My little brother is still taking ice baths through the winter ❄️😱!)

UNICEF says there are 50 million more girls in school today compared to 2015. Completion rates for girls have also gone up, from 86% to 89% in primary school and from 54% to 61% in high school. Additionally, five million more girls now complete all levels of education each year compared to seven years ago.

(Impressively, Karin and Ken celebrated 45 years together, well done 🎉🥳🎈!)

Something good for everyone:

Early data shows a remarkable 13% drop in murder rates for 2023, one of the biggest annual declines ever. Almost every major crime category, except auto theft, has also decreased. Violent crime is now at its lowest point in over 50 years, while property crime is at its lowest since the 1960s. Additionally, the country’s prison population is down 25% from its 2009 peak, with many states, including New Jersey and New York, reducing their prison populations by over 50% in the past decade.

What’s the most amazing fact of all?

Steve and Jo celebrating 51 and half years together (plus they’ve visited over 50 National Parks) and they were kind enough to share their adventure with all of us. Through thick and thin they continue to be there for each other 🎉🥳🎈!

So remember the next time your phone or the TV tries to make you angry, look for the good, be kind to someone else, and give thanks for being above ground!

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:

Get a grip!

Happy Thanksgiving …

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

Still a couple of weeks left till the end of the Annual Election Period.

Remember to ignore the noise. If ANY call center calls you without your permission, they are breaking the law. Book a time here if we still need to speak.

And if you can’t find a time that works? Email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com and he’ll squeeze you on to my calendar.

Apologies on the late honey deliveries. I’ve been swamped catching up with everyone this year. Q mailed the honey yesterday to all the winners. Keep an eye on your mailbox.

Bryan in Florida said it is delicious and hopefully worth the wait! Nice to have third party confirmation.

Many of the Colorado resorts have opened so last Sunday, I snuck up to get some time on the slopes.

It was a delight to get out in the sun and the snow and away from the computer.

I forgot how heavy the boots and all the equipment were as I lugged them back to the car. But it reminded me of a topic Q told me to share:

The Surprising Link Between Grip Strength and Your Overall Health.

When you think about staying healthy, we already know eating well, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are important. But did you know that the strength of your grip can also tell a lot about your overall health?

Grip strength can be a useful indicator of your well-being. Here’s why grip strength matters and how to improve it.

Why Grip Strength Matters:

Muscle Health: Your grip strength is closely related to the health of your muscles. With strong muscles, you’re better able to perform daily tasks: groceries, lifting grandvarmints, or even opening a jar. Weak grip strength may indicate muscle weakness elsewhere in your body.

Bone Health: Strong grip can be a sign of good bone health. As we age, our bones can become weaker, leading to conditions like osteoporosis. Grip strength can be an early warning sign of bone issues.

Overall Fitness: Good grip strength often goes hand-in-hand (pun intended) with overall physical fitness.

It can indicate that you’re active and engaged in regular physical activity, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

How to Improve Your Grip Strength:

Regular Exercise: Weight lifting, resistance band exercises, and using hand grippers can help build hand and forearm muscles.

Hand and Finger Exercises: Try squeezing a stress ball, doing finger curls with small weights, or practicing piano or guitar to improve finger strength.

Nutrition: A balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals, especially calcium and vitamin D, can support bone and muscle health.

Don’t forget the importance of rest and recovery. Muscles need time to heal and grow stronger after exercise. Sleep is your best friend.

Consider cutting back on smoking and moderating alcohol intake. Life is all about moderation and this may improve your overall health, including grip strength.

At your next checkup, arm wrestle your doctor ! Of course I’m joking, but do ask them to assess your grip strength. The goal is to identify any underlying health issues that may need attention.

If you’re looking for an alternative side to make this Thanksgiving, try making delicata squash. My brother Rob made it for us and now I’m addicted.

Slice the squash in quarter inch slices and don’t remove the seeds! Coat with soy sauce and olive oil, heat the oven to 400, cook for 20 minutes, flip the slices and cook another 20 minutes or until slightly charred and serve (feel free to add your own spices). Easy and delicious.

Keep squeezing the juice out of life!

Medicare questions or problems?

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

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

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

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

Plato has a bone to pick with you!

With Spring just round the corner, we hope this finds you in good health with your Medicare Insurance working properly. Plato has a bone to pick with you!

Of course Plato doesn’t have a bone to pick with you, but today I want to re-emphasize the importance of hyper vigilance to protect your identity and your money from scammers.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, imposter scams netted over 2.6 BILLION in 2022 (and that’s just what was reported!)

We all like to think we’ll act rationally and sniff out an imposter in the classic “family emergency scheme,” but the scams are getting better and better, and some of the new AI technology can imitate family voices (see link).

One of the most common features of aging is that we become more trusting as we age and though imposter scams occurred more often to people under thirty, people over 60 were scammed out of much larger sums of money ☹!

So, remember to be careful and deliberate before responding!

Yesterday would have been my best friend’s dad’s 90th birthday.

You can tell from the picture that Luke Senior was quite a character, a dentist and a barn painter, and overall troublemaker, still climbing ladders well into his eighties. He sure is missed by everyone who loved him.

Meanwhile in Arizona, close friend Tina celebrated her mother Marie’s 90th birthday with her daughter Mandy. You just can’t take moments like these for granted. When was the last time you reached out to a family member?

Here in Colorado, we enjoyed our first meal together as a family in over two years.

Yours truly rustled up crepes and bacon as the Bruns Kyler family took great pleasure in the simple ritual of a breakfast around the kitchen table, the most sacred place in our home. Who knows when that will happen again?

Of course our Air Force son’s leave had to come to an end… I drove him to the airport last night so he could go back overseas. Sunglasses hid the sadness, we’re sure gonna miss this goofball!

Please keep him and ALL our soldiers in your prayers!

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

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

We are here if you need us.

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

Referrals are the lifeblood of my business!

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

As a novice to navigating the Medicare system, I cannot recommend the services of Karl enough. His knowledge has saved my wife and I a lot of money, both on the Medicare supplement insurance and the drug coverage. Costs you nothing to listen and has saved up thousands of dollars over time.
– Robert B

Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in twenty-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.