Are you Type 3?

Happy Veterans Day,

May this note find you in great health during the madness of the Medicare Annual Election Period. Book a time here if we still need to speak.

Despite all the noise out there distracting everybody, we have so many reasons to give thanks for all those who have served and continue to serve our great nation.

Nicholas on a jet.

Airman Nicholas doesn’t fly these bad boys. He works on the equipment that makes sure they are able to take off and land safely. He just returned from deployment in a hot spot back to his base in the UK.

He and his buddies were so excited to be photographed inside the aircraft they help keep in the skies. I sure hope you find a way to honor a Veteran in your life.

Lori the retired cross-country coach in Colorado.

This is my busiest time of the year, but no matter what, I force myself to get outside every single day to stay grounded. I met retired cross country coach Lori on the trails behind our house.

Such an impressive woman because she never stops. Lori said she doesn’t run as much as she used to and she gives herself permission to walk for parts of her run.

Adapt, modify, improvise, that’s one of the secrets to aging well.

Karl working with honey bees in his backyard.

One of the things I absolutely had to do between client calls was to prep the bee hives for winter: ten pounds of sugar, two cups of water, and a couple of pollen paddies for good measure. The hole on top allows air to circulate through the hive.

Karl being stung by bees in his backyard.

Of course, like an idiot, I didn’t quite get the neck of my suit completely zipped. This was going to be a fun video, instead I got a Darwin award running away and about 20 bee stings. Thank goodness I’m not allergic.

Phil in Ohio working on his bee hive with his grandson.

Wish I had the patience and the knowledge of client Phil in Ohio, teaching his grand varmint how to capture a swarm of bees.

Life’s great joy is interacting with the young’uns. Are you finding ways to connect with young people? That’s another secret to aging well.

Cute kid in Ohio after working with his grandfather's bees.

Of course the greatest reward of keeping bees, is honey. Congrats to Jo, Anju, Melissa, and Rosemary for correctly naming the movie and the characters our daughter and her friends dressed as for Halloween. Your honey is on the way!

One of Karl's clients receiving honey from Karl and Plato in Colorado.

We visited Sus this weekend in Fort Collins and also dropped off honey to a couple of clients. It’s always fun to see people face to face.

Another client of Karl's holding a jar of honey as Plato looks at the camera.

Honey is healthier than sugar, no doubt, but it also needs to be consumed in moderation. The topic of sugar got me reading up about diabetes.

What’s more, did you know that Alzheimer’s is sometimes referred to as Type 3 Diabetes?

Quantz in CO.

While Alzheimer’s may not involve elevated blood sugar levels like traditional diabetes, research has uncovered compelling links between insulin resistance and the development of Alzheimer’s.

This emerging concept suggests that the brain’s impaired ability to respond to insulin may contribute to the accumulation of toxic proteins and inflammation, ultimately leading to cognitive decline.

Becky and Joe each holding cold drinks on a beach in Mexico.

Understanding Alzheimer’s as Type 3 Diabetes highlights the importance of lifestyle choices and proactive measures to protect brain health.

  • Eat healthy foods.
  • Stay active.
  • Manage stress.
  • Get enough sleep.
  • Keep your mind busy.
  • Watch your weight.
  • Stay social.

These steps can help protect your brain from Alzheimer’s (Type 3 Diabetes).

Concert photo contest for The Big 65 clients and friends.
Of course, everything in moderation, right?

Colorado client of The Big 65 holding a jar of fresh honey from Karl Bruns-Kyler of The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services.

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.


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 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

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.

The Big 65 Medicare insurance services red white and blue logo.

 

One simple trick for the summer

May this blog post find you in good health with your Medicare Insurance working properly Smile emoji..

Yours truly is busy completing Medicare Certifications for 2024. It’s the same every summer. I don’t enjoy taking exams with all the different carriers but…

I give thanks for each of you, that I have a reason to get up each morning and go to work, to help others, and to take care of my family.

June, who came to America in 1974 from Korea, holding a card.

June came to America in 1974 by herself from Korea with ten cents in her pocket (seriously).

She saved the original coin and has built a successful life and business for herself and her family. Hard work and faith. Isn’t that the foundation of the American dream?

Ashleigh sitting in a wheelchair in Colorado.

I met Ashleigh in 2018, a few months after she severed her spinal cord in an accident here in Denver (just a month after my brother had his accident). We met again this week.

Five years later, she has rebuilt her life, living independently, and working as a peer mentor at the Craig Spinal Center. She is such an impressive young woman.

Flo and Plato relax together in Denver CO.

Perspective is everything. I’m as guilty as the next person of taking things for granted. But when we keep our eyes open, pay attention, and connect with those around us, we can be reminded of how much we have to be thankful for.

Flo enjoying a big breakfast in Highlands Ranch, Colorado before heading back to France.

We had our final breakfast with Florence (Flo as we call her). After a year of living in our home and working as a volunteer at an inner city music school, she is preparing for the next chapter in her life, and we are sure going to miss her. Life continues at its normal pace and then it changes, just like that.

Santiago in Mexico after competing in half marathon.

Santiago (one of our many exchange students) sent us this picture of his successful completion of the half marathon he ran in Mexico City last weekend. Now that University is over, he is preparing for an internship in Spain. The young ones keep growing up as we get closer to the end zone.

Life is short and that’s what makes it special. So be sure to remember what you are thankful for, to help others, and to laugh as much as possible.

Bacon alone cannot solve all our problems sign in Colorado.

That’s it for this week; 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

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-six states around the country, including:

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

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

The Big 65 Medicare insurance broker logo.

 

 

Are you really prepared for this?

May this Medicare blog post find you in great health with your Medicare Insurance working properly. Hey, are you really prepared for this?  Read on … 

Photo of The Big 65 family rafting in the Rockies.

No, the Bruns-Kylers were not auditioning for the new Star Trek TV show (clearly, I got the colors wrong ). Q and I took Santiago and Florence up into the Rockies to go rafting and hiking.

Before you are allowed in the raft on the Roaring Forks River, you have to do emergency training, just in case something goes wrong.

Photo of Quantz of The Big 65 hiking in the Rockies of Colorado.

Emergency preparedness is essential when you’re hiking too: good boots, gear, a map, and plenty of water.

Oh, and don’t get too close if you run into a baby moose, right?

Photo of a baby moose in the Colorado Rockies.

But the same goes for life at home. We never know what’s going to happen! Look at all the crazy weather!

Beaver eating a fence in Colorado for The Big 65 Colorado.

Neighbors Nancy and Steve showed me this picture of a beaver who ate through one of the fences in our neighborhood this week. We live up on a hill, far from any streams and lakes… who would’ve ever expected this to happen?

This got us talking about emergencies and how unprepared we are for most emergencies.

Karl Bruns-Kyler showing beekeeping to young man in HIghlands Ranch, Colorado.

Now, it is nice to have a bit of honey in the backyard (showing the bees to the neighbor’s grandson) if I can’t get to the store.

Karl Bruns Kyler bee keeping in Colorado.

But if the power went out for a few days, or the infrastructure went down due to crazy weather, would you be ready?

Disaster Preparedness poster for Colorado.

Most of us don’t have a printed list of our family phone numbers, an extra week of medication, or a week’s worth of water in the garage, just in case.

Let me know how you are prepared, and if you’re not, consider visiting the ready.gov website to do little a planning.

Like the Scouts, be prepared!

Nick and Annie with grandson graduation Colorado.

Nick and Annie are missing the rain in Colorado, hanging with grandchildren back east, going to baseball games and graduations. Looks like they are having fun!

Barry sitting on his 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic_Colorado.

Barry was off to bike night on his 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic. He added a Harley front fender, headlight, and windshield and painted it to match. I know nothing about motorcycles, but I would say Barry is definitely styling.

Colorado mountain view with The Big 65

Plato was bummed that we didn’t take him to the mountains (sometimes we must remind him that he is actually a dog).

Sally and Plato in Colorado for The Big 65.

The neighbors came over and gave him plenty of love and I wouldn’t be surprised if Plato convinced Sally to give him a scone.

oe and Becky on the road again_The Big 65.

Joe and Becky are on the road again.

Joe and Becky exploring Europe.

They are currently exploring Turkey and Greece, safe travels!

That’s it for this week; 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


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-three states around the country, including:

Alabama
Arizona
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
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.

Karl Bruns-Kyler of The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Broker.

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.  
The Big 65 Medicare insurance broker watches Quantz entering a car.
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.

Karl Bruns-Kyler having tea with friends.

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!

Nice lady pouring tea by The Big 65.

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.

Karl, Quantz, and Nicholas on a boat for The Big 65.

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

Nice lady eating a meal with a bird on her shoulder.

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

Beautiful plants indoors_photo by The Big 65 medicare insurance broker- agent.

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

Interesting plants in the sky.

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.

Quantz and Nicholas enjoying a meal together.

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

Nice man playing an instrument for The Big 65 Medicare broker.

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.

Nicholas embracing Plato for The Big 65.

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


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.

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Broker logo

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?

Karl Bruns-Kyler helping Medicare clients for The Big 65.

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.

Man in tall grass as seen by Karl Bruns-Kyler of The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Agency.

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.

Q and N exploring bamboo as seen by Karl Bruns-Kyler of The Big 65.

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.

Adorable critter holding on to a branch.

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

Photo of an orangutan eating an apple as viewed by The Big 65.

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.

Kids playing in the water and smiling at The Big 65.

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

Musician playing a harp for The Big 65.

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!

Nicholas with a big smile from The Big 65 Medicare insurance agency.

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.

Nicholas double-fisted with two drinks.

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

Karl Bruns-Kyler and Nicholas working on bucket list together.

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?

South Carolina springtime scene_The Big 65 South Carolina

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


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.

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Broker logo