Medicare Insurance Archives

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

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.

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.

Watch out for aggressive medical care

Karl Bruns-Kyler of The Big 65 is a Medicare insurance broker. In this week’s blog, Karl shares the following warning: Watch out for aggressive medical care.

But first, may this note find you and your family in good health with your Medicare Insurance working properly.

Plato sure is glad to have everyone home even though he got spoiled while we were away.

But that’s the whole point of pets, right? To give and get as much love as possible.

Plato is happy we are home and shouting at the squirrels.

At an insurance workshop this week, a colleague brought this article to my attention, and it is definitely worth a read.

According to the article, with alarming frequency, many seniors are encouraged to accept “aggressive end of life care” which may not be appropriate and will often cause individuals to live out their final moments in hospitals away from their loved ones or with poor quality of life.

“Although studies repeatedly show that most patients want to die at home, 25 percent of the community dwellers and almost 40 percent of the nursing home residents died in hospitals.”

The choices are never easy when it comes to end of life healthcare decisions, but it is very important to weigh the pros and the cons of any invasive procedure or service and to really understand the risk/reward ratio before you agree to aggressive treatment if someone you love is nearing the end of life.

Speaking of super healthy clients, Jean in Georgia looks as happy as always and is enjoying the spring like weather. Jean was one of five winners who guessed where last week’s pictures were from.

Starbucks gift cards go out next week to the winners. Congratulations!

Here’s a big shout out to my brother Robert for learning something new. Despite the wheelchair, Robert spent time in an adaptive skiing program that he says was tons of fun.

Never stop learning, never stop trying new things.

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

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:

What’s the best drink for your health?

May this find you in good health with your Medicare Insurance working properly.

Today, I pose the question: “What’s the best drink for your health?”

But first … the Bruns-Kyler family has returned to the States and boy are we glad to be home.

We chose to return home early because some family members are having health issues and Q wanted to be with them. That’s why I love her.

Can you tell where this week’s pictures were taken? As you read, pay attention!

I’ll be sending out Starbucks gift cards to the first five folks who email back the correct answer!

It’s great to be in my office again, plus, it’s time to get the yard ready for Spring.

For whatever reason, we’ve been seeing numerous Medicare billing issues so I have been drinking a lot of tea AND coffee to stay focused.

Be cautious before paying a Medicare related bill, mistakes are common!

This week, one client’s pharmacy claimed they didn’t have drug coverage.

That is the type of concern that wakes me up. It took a number of calls to get everything straightened out. Thank goodness the pharmacy was wrong!

I used to worry that coffee and tea could have negative effects on my health, but as long as they are used in moderation, and your doctor approves, both beverages seem to have positive health benefits.

Caffeine can boost mood and improve performance, plus both drinks are rich in antioxidants.

Some studies link caffeine to weight loss and both drinks may provide anti-cancer benefits.

One client in Texas shared how he takes a “Coffee Nap” in the afternoon.

When Michael is tired and has things to do, he’ll down a coffee, set an alarm for thirty minutes and take a quick siesta.

The caffeine will usually kick in just as the alarm goes off and then he is able to be quite productive.

If you have insomnia or caffeine sensitivity, this may not be a good idea, always talk with your doctor.

The bottom line, it’s healthy to review your liquid consumption patterns and see if you can make small tweaks to optimize productivity, sleep, and overall health.

Our Air Force son, Nicholas, is sure enjoying his first extended vacation in two years. Plato was so excited to see him when he got to our house.

We’re just happy to have our son home.

You know how quickly they grow up so don’t take anything for granted.

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

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:

Do we have you in the right coverage?

May this blog post/newsletter find you in good health with your Medicare Insurance working properly. Today’s question: “Do we have you in the right coverage?“

In working with clients all over the country this week, it’s been a great opportunity to sharpen the saw and drill into the differences between plan types: Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement.

From a distance, it’s not always easy to understand the differences between the two types of plans and I often get the question: which type of plan is better?

The simple answer is… it truly depends on how each consumer uses healthcare.

Medicare Supplements charge a monthly premium and allow consumers to go to any doctor who takes Medicare (and is willing to see them) and folks don’t have to deal with prior authorization for Medicare approved services. They also don’t receive extra benefits and the premiums typically go up every year.

Medicare Advantage Plans typically have no premiums, offer additional bells and whistles but require you to jump through additional hoops for certain services.

As your independent Medicare Insurance Broker, I try to spend most of my time understanding your healthcare preferences and how you prefer to receive healthcare services.

After that, it’s all about education and understanding the pros and the cons of each type of plan and letting YOU make your own choice.

That’s the reason for this newsletter, so that we can stay connected to make sure your coverage is working the way it should.

Of course, nothing works perfectly. Sometimes there are billing errors, other times it’s hard to reach customer service. Life is imperfect at best, but the important thing is you have an additional resource: The Big 65!

If you are having issues, always call the carrier first.

However, if you speak with the carrier and you are stilling having problems, please reach out to us by email or just book a time on my calendar.

That why I’m here. Medicare call centers (and all those enticing commercials you see on TV) only want you to switch plans. If it’s necessary, we can do that, but usually there’s an easier fix.

It sure has been fun to finally have an extended vacation with our Air Force son Nicholas.

We worked on his bucket list one night and I didn’t even try to keep up with him. I guess we were all young once, right?

I keep hearing from clients like Claire in South Carolina that spring is on the way so don’t give up hope!

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

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:

Are your doctors really taking care of you?

Are your doctors really taking care of you? Is your Medicare insurance working properly?

I wish the above cartoon was a one-off joke that we could all laugh at and ignore, but that just isn’t the case. Getting lost in the medical labyrinth is much more common than we would like to believe.

Today, I want to share a tip on how to get in to see medical providers faster when they can’t see you in a timely manner.

I spoke with a client in Michigan this week who was under a double whammy: a power outage because of the snow and a specialist who couldn’t seem him for three months.

While I couldn’t do anything about the outage, this is the solution that did help him get in quicker:

James started calling the receptionist EVERY DAY the moment they opened and right after lunch to KEEP asking about cancellations. The polite/squeaky wheel often gets the oil!

We spoke on Monday and by Thursday, James had gotten on his Urologist’s calendar. This will not always work, but it often does.

Of course, you could consider finding a different physician, but most of don’t like to switch doctors. There is normally great value in long term continuity.

However, if you are consistently underwhelmed by the response you receive from your provider, you may want to look up their ratings on third party websites like Heathgrades.com, Vitals or some of the others listed in this link.

If you discover that a provider is consistently receiving negative reviews, you may want to look for a new provider.

Please know the lion’s share of medical providers are doing their best to provide great care, but like everything else in life, the eighty-twenty rule applies.

Well, I am pleased to report that the Bruns-Kyler family has reunited in Kuala Lumpur. Quantz returned from travels in Burma and…

Our Air Force son, Nicholas, after three cancelled vacations because of the Ukraine situation, was finally able to meet up with us for some for very well-deserved leave.

Time with grown up children is a blessing, isn’t it?

Malaysia is a very modern country with a very old world feel, a very multicultural country of Malays, Indians and Chinese.

That means the food is incredibly diverse and delicious. Though we didn’t try everything.

One of the things we did finally try is durian, have you heard of it?

This fruit is banned in Singapore because of its smell, but it has a fanatical following, nonetheless.

Of course, following my axiom of trying new things, we had to give it a try.

I’ve gotta tell you, I am NOT a fan. It has a taste of rotten onions and the texture of meat.

As you can imagine, Q was not a fan. But hey, it’s off our bucket list. You win some, you lose some, right?

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

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:

“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.”