Plan D Archives

Hey,🦻Can You Hear Me Now?

Happy November!

We hope this note finds you well, with your Medicare Insurance keeping out the cold.

Questions about your Medicare Insurance? Email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com, or book a time on my calendar. There’s still time, even if the pumpkins are getting a little long in the tooth.

Plato reminds you, this is our busiest time of the year, so, if for some reason you haven’t heard back from us, please reach out again, our desks are piled high and deep! We have till December 7th and we will get to everyone, that’s a promise.

Miti, our exchange student from Madagascar had a lot of fun for Halloween.

The joy of hosting someone who has never seen Halloween is you get to experience the event with fresh eyes. Q had a ball taking Miti trick or treating.

Plato and I maintained the candy bowl and caught up on email.

Thanks to Barb in Houston for catching something that I missed in a previous newsletter.

She wrote:

“Last week’s email reminded people to have certain health checkups, but I don’t think you included one’s hearing. The Poster picture below is one that my ENT has in all his exam rooms. I think it’s a powerful reminder for us to not neglect our hearing health.”

👂 Don’t Forget Your Hearing — It’s Linked to Brain Health

We often remember to check our blood pressure and vision, but hearing health is just as important.

Research shows that untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Protecting your hearing may also help protect your brain.

It’s often pride that prevents us from admitting our hearing has diminished, but a free hearing test can quickly give you answers and you can start by taking this test online.

Untreated hearing loss can lead to:

Trouble thinking clearly or remembering things
Higher risk of dementia
Feeling lonely or isolated
More stress, fatigue, or sadness
Missing alarms, doorbells, or important sounds

👉 Protect your brain — get your hearing checked this year!
A simple hearing test can make a big difference in staying sharp, connected, and healthy.

I’ve been wearing hearing aids for more than 15 years and they’ve made a huge difference in my life and in the lives of the people I love.

Most hearing aids come with a trial period, which means you can return them if your not pleased. Usually it takes a few weeks to get used to them. If your plan does not include hearing coverage, check out Costco and Sam’s Club. They both offer excellent, affordable hearing aids.

So I challenge you to try something new… just like Miti did. Last weekend, we taught her to ride a bicycle. She’s an amazing kid!

Speaking of amazing kids, longtime clients Jack and Adrienne don’t seem to be getting any older. They’re always up to something fun!

My little brother Haas was just up in Canada hunting geese with his buddies. Winter is coming!

Just remember, the purpose of good hearing…

To help you stay connected to the people you love. Never miss a chance to reconnect with people who bring you joy, like my old high school buddy Esteban.

After recently retiring as a Radiologist, he’s still climbing glaciers at 65 and training to climb the Matterhorn next summer. Keep going brother, keep going!

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
Montana
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.

We survived the earthquake 🌍!

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

Any issues with your Medicare coverage (and the carrier isn’t helping), or you’d like to shop coverage? Email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar.

Remember to hang up 📞 on the big illegal call centers ⚠️ that try to force the wrong plans on consumers. Always use an independent broker, like The Big 65. That’s why we’re here.

Quantz and I are exploring Istanbul🕌✨, an ancient city where East meets West. It’s a fascinating mix of Europe and Asia and it’s filled with surprises😲.

Like the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest covered markets in the world, thousands of shops selling spices, food, and clothing. You can get lost in this place if you don’t use Google maps.

It’s fun to try new things: mulberries, persimmons, even Turkish delight🍬. Of course Q is way more adventurous then I am, but that’s why we have balance in our relationship…

One explorer and one boring insurance dude to keep things on track.

Istanbul is filled with dogs and cats that roam freely and are fed and housed with public funds.

As long as you see a tag in the dog’s ears, or a clipped spot on the cat’s ears, you know they’ve been vaccinated and protected.

On Thursday, as I was walking to meet a friend for coffee, we experienced a 6.2 magnitude earthquake 🌍 that shook for thirteen seconds.

Thousands of people streamed out of every building but there was no major damage, thank goodness😮‍💨!

As Yusuf and I drank Turkish coffee, every member of his family called him to make sure he was OK.

What a great reminder to live every day as if it is your last.

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:

🧠💪 Live Longer Without Spending a Dime

Greetings and may this blog find you in stellar health😄, with your Medicare insurance coverage🏥working well.

Spring has finally sprung 🌸 all over our great nation. Are you getting outside?

Sunlight☀️ equals Vitamin D🧴… good for the brain, good for the bones, great for the soul🧿. Most important, it’s free!

If you’re feeling blue or have problems with your Medicare coverage (and the carrier isn’t helping), email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar.

Q met this 200 pound beast in Heraklion 🧔‍♂️🐾 (where Hercules was born), on the island of Crete. Don’t worry, she didn’t adopt a new doggy, yet… our doodle Plato is safe, for now🤞.

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like every day, I’m bombarded with expensive miracle cures that promise I’ll live to be a thousand if I just give them my credit card.

It’s refreshing to discover that some of the most effective longevity strategies are both simple and free.

Experts and people who live past 100 show that simple, everyday habits—not expensive miracle cures—can help you live a longer, healthier life. I’m guessing Jean does a bunch of these, how about you?

🧭 Find a reason to get up each morning

Whether it’s grandkids, gardening, or helping a neighbor—having a purpose gives you direction, energy, and a reason to smile. It’s like fuel for the soul.

Living a life of service is the foundational cornerstone of my life. When our kids were young, we hosted ten different international exchange students (only one at a time) to live in our home for a year.

Hosting often created extra work but it made our lives (and the lives of our children) better. Now those kids are grown up and we get to visit them all over the world.

Last weekend, I finally got to visit the Pleister family in Germany. It was so much fun to finally meet the parents of Lena and Chris.

🧠 Challenge your brain

Just like your muscles, your brain loves a good workout. Try a puzzle, read a book, learn a new skill—even switching up your routine helps. Little mental stretches every day can keep your mind strong and your memory sharp.

Chris and Lena’s father, Hans, runs a maritime simulator for the University in Bremen.

After brief instruction, I attempted to navigate a 220 meter container ship out of the Elbe river into the North Sea. It was a fascinating experience, but I was unable to avoid being rammed by the ship in the distance🚢🌊😬.

The good news? No maritime job for me. I will continue to be your Medicare broker for a long, long time!

🥗Eat Real Food

Forget the trendy diets and miracle shakes. Stick with the good stuff: colorful veggies, juicy fruits, wholesome beans, and fresh fish. Your body runs best on real, nourishing fuel.

And just like my dad said: Everything in moderation, even moderation🍻😂.

While visiting the Pleisters, we ate a number of delicious vegetarian meals, but that didn’t stop me from having the occasional beer (especially after I sunk the container ship.)

🚶‍♂️Keep moving

You don’t need fancy equipment or a gym membership. Just move! Walk the dog, stretch toward the sky, or dance while making dinner—anything that gets your body going and your joints smiling.

We had some epic ping pong matches with the entire family. Man was my arm sore the next day, but it sure was fun!

🤝 Stay social

Friendship is powerful medicine. Call an old friend, wave to your neighbor, say yes to that lunch invite. A little laughter and connection can do wonders for your heart, your mood, and your memory.

Over the weekend we did a city tour of Hamburg. Our guide pointed out the clubs where the Beatles got their start and also the barber shop where they got their famous haircuts. Chris and Anja played a wicked air guitar🎸.

As I said goodbye to the Pleisters after a wonderful visit, I was reminded that living well doesn’t require deep pockets—just deep connections.

We didn’t need luxury or lavish plans to create memories, just good conversation, shared meals, and time together.

The article this week echoes that truth: longevity isn’t about miracle cures—it’s about purpose, movement, healthy food, and meaningful relationships. And sometimes, the best medicine is simply being with people who make you laugh. ❤️

Now I have to go find Quantz to make sure she doesn’t come home with a new 200 pound dog!

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:

Think This😃, Not That😫—Make 2025 Your Best Year Yet🫠!

Greetings and may March Madness 🏀 find you in wonderful health with your Medicare insurance🏥working properly😄.

Remember, anytime you see an ad on TV 📺 (or receive an illegal telemarketing call📞) promising a $900 food allowance for Medicare, beware⚠️…

That benefit is ONLY for people on Medicaid with super low incomes.

If your Medicare coverage ISN’T working, or you’d like to shop your coverage, email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar. We’re here to help you avoid the swamp monsters🐊☣️.

Remember the opening from the Charles Dicken’s book, A Tale of Two Cities?

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”

That’s how I felt when Plato and I stumbled upon a herd of one hundred plus Elk 🦌in the park near our house😱.

Fortunately, Plato came running back to me and he didn’t end up getting in big trouble chasing the wildlife🐾😌🙏.

That moment reminded me how much life is shaped by how we choose to respond.

And that’s exactly the idea behind Dr. Josh Axe’s book, Think This, Not That. It’s all about flipping the script—recognizing we can shift our mindset anytime, even when life throws unexpected surprises at us.

As the world continues to spin out of control, this couldn’t be more important. Whether it’s facing health changes, making Medicare decisions, or simply navigating life’s ups and downs, adopting the right mindset can turn “the worst of times” into “the best of times.”

Like when KC decided to try snowboarding…but we took him down the expert side of the mountain😩🙈 (poor guy, he looked like Sasquatch in the snow).

Here are 4 powerful mind shifts from the book that apply to all of us:

1. Think Abundance, Not Scarcity

Too often, we think, “I’m too old to try that” or “It’s too late to change.”

Flip it: There’s still so much time to grow, explore, and live fully.

Try This: Pick one new experience this month—whether it’s a hobby, class, or trip you’ve been putting off. New challenges keep you sharp!

Though we definitely started KC on the wrong side of the mountain🏔️, by the end of the trip, he had learned enough to enjoy the process🏆.

2. Think Confidence, Not Fear

It’s natural to feel uneasy when it comes to health changes, life’s curveballs, or Medicare Choices. But fear keeps us stuck.

Flip it: Replace fear with confidence—remind yourself, “I’ve handled challenges before. I can handle this, too.”

Try This: Take one step toward clarity today—whether it’s scheduling your preventive screenings, facing a challenge, or booking a quick Medicare review with me. Being informed is the fastest path to feeling in control.

Fun fact: After skiing, the left side of the table was drinking wine…for medicinal purposes 🤣 (and sore bodies)🍷!

3. Think Focus🧘, Not Overwhelm

Don’t let everything pile up in your mind.

Flip it: Focus on one small step at a time.

Try This: Set a single wellness goal this week—like a 10-minute walk each day or preparing one healthy meal at home🥗.

Plato told me he felt much more confident about chasing the wild turkeys instead of the Elk, but I kept him on the leash just the same.

4. Think Possibility, Not Limitation

Forget “It’s too late” or “I’m stuck.”

Flip it: Ask yourself, “What’s next for me?”

Try This: Write down a few things you’ve always wanted to do—big or small—and take one step toward making it happen.

My wife Q spent 30 years chained to a corporate desk. When the pandemic hit, and work was miserable, Quantz quit her job and said “we need to change everything.” I still work as much as I ever did, but now, I work virtually. Q has reinvented herself as a traveler and that includes medical missions, like the one she is on in Kenya. Happy wife, happy life!

At the end of the day, it’s all about choosing possibility over limitation. Life’s too short to let fear or doubt hold you back.

Keep asking yourself, “What’s next?”—and take that next step.

Be like my big brother Robert. Despite severing his spinal cord in a bike accident five years ago, he rose from the ashes.

Despite many daily challenges, Robert still practices medicine, plays pickleball, mentors young medical students, and makes the world a better place. He’s the first one to tell you, gettin’ old ain’t for sissies! I am so proud of my brother!

Don’t leave your best song unsung. Your story’s still being written—make it one worth telling.

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:

Forget diet and exercise—this matters even more🛟!

Howdy and may this blog post find you in amazing health with your Medicare insurance 🏥working properly😄.

Any issues🤔with coverage?

If you’ve already called the carrier and there is no resolution, email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar. We’ll do our best.

We received a ton of greet feedback on scams that clients are experiencing.

Barb S had great advice:

“I find it best to NOT respond to anything that comes up on my phone📞. Instead, I wait until I’m on my laptop where I can better investigate the issue. If it’s an email, make sure the sender is valid. Most of the times, it isn’t.”

Well-said Barb! Keep an eye out for some honey in the mail🐝📧🍯! I give thanks for the wisdom of the tribe.

Speaking of wisdom, I heard a great Ted Talk on the secret to living longer.

Don’t worry, it doesn’t include becoming a professional dog walker🐾😃!

Genetics accounts for 25% of longevity. The remaining 75% is lifestyle.

Lifestyle includes choices, like NOT bringing your cat to the dog park, right🙄! It’s way too easy to make fun of Millennials. Fortunately, this cat made it down and home safely.

We know obesity (20%), smoking (40%), and diabetes (25%) are risk factors for an early death, but research shows that something else may be even more dangerous😧.

Social Isolation increases our risk of death by 50%! Isn’t that crazy?

Loneliness weakens the immune system, raises stress, increases heart disease, and speeds up cognitive decline. Health experts are finally sending out the alarm that we need to turn the tide and add more social connection to our lives.

Wanna know how to stay in the game🤨?

The cure is surprisingly simple: regular face to face interactions.

Saying hello to others, petting dogs, and doing good deeds release neurotransmitters which strengthen the immune system, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being.

Daily personal connections also keep you away from Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec god of death and the underworld. You do NOT want to hang out with this dude!

Joy and connection can come from daily low stakes interactions. By getting out of the house, we can connect with others and it often inspires curiosity.

Plus you get to buy churros!

Here are some ideas! 😊

Wave or nod to neighbors.
Make small talk in line at the store.
Compliment strangers. You’ll make their day!
Strike up a dog talk.
Join a class or club.
Offer a helping hand.
Make a quick call.
Say hi to your mail carrier or delivery driver.
Go to a local café and chat with regulars.
Attend a community event and introduce yourself.
Ask for a recommendation.
Start with a light joke.

Let us know one thing you tried this week and we’ll send you honey! Plato loves to stay connected!

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