senior living Archives

Never go to the Emergency Room alone😱!

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

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

The official start of summer is just a week away and we’re doing our best to get out and enjoy the local sights before the hottest weather begins. Do you have a botanical nearby? My wife Q loves flowers!

Everyone knows that getting outside is good for the body and the soul, but what happens if something goes wrong and you need to visit the Emergency Room?

Client Pam, a professional caregiver for seniors in South Carolina, reminded me of the cardinal rule everyone of us should follow and be prepared for: Never go to the Emergency Room Alone!

Emergencies are stressful enough without facing them alone. Here’s why you should always have someone with you in the ER and how to ensure you have support when you need it most.

Pitfalls of Going to the ER Alone

1. When you’re in pain or distress, making important decisions can be hard. A trusted person can help you make the right choices.

2. It can be tough to describe symptoms and understand medical terms. A companion can help you communicate better with doctors.

3. Handling paperwork and getting home can be overwhelming. A friend or family member can assist with these tasks.

4. The ER can be scary. Having someone with you provides comfort and reduces stress.

Strategies to Ensure You’re Never Alone

1. Build a Support Network: Make a list of friends, family, and neighbors who can help in an emergency.

2. Emergency Contacts: Always carry a list of emergency contacts with you.

3. Use Technology: Use apps and devices that alert loved ones if you have an emergency.

4. Plan Ahead: Share your medical preferences and needs with your support network. Here’s a link to a past blog with tools and docs.

5. Regular Check-Ins: Have daily check-ins with someone to ensure your well-being.

6. Medical Information: Carry a card with your health info, conditions, medications, and emergency contacts.

By planning ahead and creating a robust support network, you can ensure that you always have someone by your side in times of need. Thank goodness my big brother Dr. Rob was prepared for a surprise he didn’t expect. Now he’s back home and back at work treating patients. Keep going brother!

I also love this pic of Gina with four generations of her family: her mom, her daughter, and her granddaughter. Life is beautiful!

Too many people are counting on you, too, so have a plan and be ready!

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.

Your health may depend on this choice!

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

Remember, if you’re having problems with your coverage, reach out to Gray or book a time on my calendar if it’s complicated. We’ll get it fixed, I promise.

Word on the street is Punxsutawney Phil did NOT see his shadow this week so keep your fingers crossed for an early spring.

When Quantz and I visited Pucon, Chile this week, each of us had a different take on the experience.

I’m normally accused of being the optimist, but I can tell you that I was a lot more focused on the 800 pound gorilla behind the lake, that little plume of smoke that never stopped (and making sure we had a full tank of gas just in case she blew!)

Naturally Q wasn’t worried in the least. Her focus is always the same: see as much as we can before it’s too late. That’s why I love her, even though she keeps cracking the whip! It’s all about balance, right?

Since most of my time is spent helping clients navigate Medicare choices and avoiding irreversible mistakes, today, let’s review:

Emergency Room versus Urgent Care versus Primary Care, which one should I use?

Let’s keep this simple, if the turkey vultures are circling, head straight to the Emergency room for any of the following:

• Cardiac discomfort or chest tightness
• Complex fracture (bone break with visible exposure)
• Trauma to the head region
• Lung inflammation or severe respiratory infection
• Epileptic episodes or convulsions

ER visits should also be considered for:

• Signs of a stroke, numbness, weakness, or slurred speech.
• Suspected poisoning or exposure to dangerous chemicals.
• Severe headaches, especially if accompanied by confusion or neurological symptoms.
• Persistent high fever in adults.
• Severe allergic reactions with difficulty breathing or swelling.
• Severe mental health crisis, thoughts of self-harm, or harming others.

Remember, this list is NOT all inclusive. If it’s life threatening go to the Emergency Room.

Consider Urgent Care for:

• Minor injuries like sprains, strains, or minor fractures.
• Non-life-threatening cuts that may require stitches
• Minor burns or rashes.
• Common illnesses like colds, flu, ear infections, and sore throats.
• Mild to moderate asthma or allergy symptoms.
• Mild allergic reactions, such as hives.
• Fevers without severe symptoms or underlying health conditions.
• Minor urinary tract infections.
• Minor eye injuries or infections.
• Minor dental issues, such as a chipped tooth or toothache.
• Prescription refills or non-urgent medication issues.
• Routine vaccinations and physicals.

And Primary Care? Well, you probably know the answer to this one, routine visits, vaccinations, important care but not urgent care or emergency care, right?

As common sense as this sounds, taking a few minutes to review could save you time, trouble and 💵!

But the most important reason? Over utilization of Emergency Rooms reduces their efficiency, reduces the quality of care, and takes resources away from all of us when really need to be treated.

It’s up to each of us to do what we can to make things better.

The word from our daughter Sus is that Plato is doing just fine. We are very fortunate that Sus keeps an eye on him when we are out of town. I guess we must have done something right.

We met an amazing American this week, Ed Ritter from Pennsylvania.

Ed and his wife retired a few years ago and now they travel quite a bit.

What was so amazing about Ed? He’s a vanishing American species:

A political centrist. When Ed returns home, he plans to run for the State House of Representatives as an alternative to the extremists on all sides of the aisles.

Ed will attempt to find a middle ground. Remember, when neither side is completely happy, that’s probably a good thing. It was so refreshing to talk with someone who isn’t just going to talk, he’s going to try!

And he’s from our tribe, a retiree getting ready to make a difference! Remember this movie? Go get ’em Ed!

Meanwhile, Quantz keeps me moving. I hope you are moving too! Never stop, connect with your friends, learn something new.

Most important, keep squeezing the juice out of life and look for ways to help others!

Medicare questions or problems?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are you ready for the final flight?

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

Just in case your phone isn’t illegally ringing off the hook, the Annual Election Period began last week and I keep hearing all the bogus call centers are bugging the snot out of everybody.

Remember to book a time here if we need to talk or update your Medicare insurance coverage or if your friends and family need help. If everything is working fine, ignore the noise.

Remember: anyone who calls YOU about Medicare without permission is BREAKING THE LAW. Ask for their insurance license number and watch them disappear 👿.

My little brother Haas and his buddies fulfilled a lifetime bucket list event: bird hunting in Saskatoon, Canada. And though I’m not a hunter anymore, I was pretty dang impressed by their adventure.

Ten friends, two dogs, 2,300 decoys, plus gear, traveled 5,300 miles to Saskatoon, Canada to do what they love doing.

For six days, they got up early, scouted terrain, set up decoys, coordinated plans and had the adventure of their lives.

You can see it in their smiles… the joy and the happiness that comes from doing things that are meaningful for you. What are you waiting for?

Last weekend, I travelled to the Shenandoah Valley and paid my respects at the wake of a friend.

Jann was one of those people everyone loved. She was kind, compassionate, delightful, and the person who always lit up the room just by showing up.

Friends and family shared memories and listened to her favorite songs. We told stories, shared drinks, savored delicious marzipan cupcakes and remembered Jann with love, laughter, and tears. It was a beautiful afternoon.

Most of us don’t know when we’re going to die, but we do know it is going to happen, so do your family a favor…be prepared. Don’t leave them in the lurch.

Create a will and designate beneficiaries.
Complete Power of Attorney and Medical Power of Attorney.
Organize your important documents and have passwords and logons in a file.
Manage your debts and make sure your family knows how to handle them.
Write down and discuss your funeral and burial plans.
Talk openly with your family about your end of life plans.
Write down your personal wishes and important information.

This list is not all inclusive but it’s a start. Here’s a link that may be helpful.

Every time I lose a friend, a family member or a client, I try to remember that Latin phrase, memento mori, meaning…

“Remember you must die.” The lives we are given pass so quickly it’s helpful to use these encounters to move us forward, to keep us focused on what remains, what can be done, what we still have the passion to do.

Five years ago this summer, my older brother severed his spinal cord in a biking accident. How easy it would have been for him to have defined his life by this event.

Instead, Robert chose to use this brush with death and adversity as wake up call to continue living, and living well, living a life of service, as a physician and a mentor, and a life of activity.

Never pretend life is easy, but it is an adventure, a combination of the hand we are dealt and how we choose to play the cards. Play with intention and choose your partners wisely.

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-seven states around the country, including:

Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
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

Good news!

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

This summer has had the strangest weather I can remember, but I’m using rainy days to get all of my 2024 Medicare certifications completed.

Three more finished, three more to go. It still amazes me how Medicare seems to get more complicated every year, but, don’t get me started!

Instead, I’ll do my best to practice what I preach and give thanks for what I’m grateful for: Modern Medicine. This is Good News!

Had one of our ancestors developed this painful foot condition, they probably would have had to live with it, constant misery.

Modern medicine isn’t perfect but don’t tell that to Jeri, the quality of her life was restored by an incredible orthopedic surgeon.

Jeri said, “my surgeon was fabulous. No pain meds after two days. Crutches, then boot with crutches, then boot. Was walking on my own after two months. No limp, no problems. Hooray for surgeons!”

We know every surgery doesn’t go like this, but it’s easy to lose perspective on how far we’ve come with healthcare and to take it for granted.

I’m big believer in getting a second opinion before any major invasive procedure (or a third), but I am also amazed on weekly basis with the remarkable recoveries and improvements I see in client health when they find the right doctor AND…

When we patients follow the doctor’s plan of care, it turns out you can teach us old dogs new tricks.

Following your doctor’s plan for physical therapy will help you get better. To stick with the plan, work with your doctor (or your therapist) to set clear goals. Do the exercises regularly, stick to the schedule.

Most important, talk openly about how you’re doing and get feedback, especially if things aren’t going well in the recovery process.

Many patients feel as if they are doing something wrong if they don’t start improving and will often give up on the rehab processes. By sharing honestly with your healthcare provider, therapy regimens can be modified. But if you don’t speak up, you won’t get better.

Jeri was teachable and interactive with her healthcare providers and she is one happy camper! No matter what happens, eventually, our bodies will wear out. But in the meantime, we do our best to keep going.

Well, the Bruns-Kylers are visiting cousins in France.

You may remember that we have had Quantz’s cousin’s daughter, Florence, living with us for the year. She is still in the US in our home, and now, we visit her family’s place in Normandy.

What a pleasure it has been to share meals and to meet their friends and neighbors.

Florence’s grandmother, Helene, was at our wedding a million years ago and it was an absolute delight to spend time with her again.

Helene is the definition of aging well, gracious, engaged, and living life with savoir faire. Over 90 and still a force of nature. What a treasure she is. Give thanks for those you love who make a difference in your life.

We are looking forward to visiting the D-Day museums and Omaha beach, but in the meantime, we are visiting the markets and walking through the old villages.

My little brother, Haas, sent this picture of all the green beans he and his girlfriend have been canning. He says the pumpkins are doing well, too.

Are you giving or getting any produce from your neighbors?

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

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
California
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.

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Lecture in Denver

Come learn about Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare at this free event in Denver.

The CU Anschutz Multidisciplinary Center on Aging will host its first ever Age Tech Research Roadshow on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 9AM.

This FREE EVENT will take place at the Senior Planet Center in Colorado located in Denver. No registration is required. Just show up!

This Age Tech event will provide a great opportunity to learn about cutting-edge technology that will potentially help all of us age well.

Older adults attending this event will have the opportunity to experience and test first-hand some of the latest innovations in healthcare technology and attendees will also be encouraged to offer feedback related to these new medical and healthcare technologies.

And you’ll have the chance to play with the new technology, speak with research teams, and learn how to research related studies online.

A special lecture titled “Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare” will be given by Senior Planet at 11:00 AM.

In addition to introducing some of the basics related to A.I., the lecture will discuss current limitations and how Artificial Intelligence may impact the future of healthcare in America.

Event: Age Tech Research Roadshow
Date: Friday June 23, 2023
Start time: 9:00 AM
Location: Senior Planet Center in Colorado
Address: 7585 E. Academy Boulevard, Denver, CO 80230

For more information on this event, visit Senior Planet in Denver, Colorado.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is the owner and founder of The Big 65 Colorado, an insurance company that provides Medicare insurance services to Colorado and 23 additional states. The Big 65 is based in Highlands Ranch where Karl lives with his family.

Karl has been helping Medicare beneficiaries in Colorado and across the country for over 20 years.

For more information, visit www.TheBig65.com.

We got a scare on Thursday!

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

This week, the universal truth came home to roost:

If you live long enough, you’re gonna get old, naturally…

We got a scare on Thursday!

Over breakfast, Quantz casually mentioned seeing floating objects in her eye and a shadow in her peripheral vision.

Since I actually love my wife, I immediately looked up the symptoms on WebMd and called our eye doctor who said, “get her into a specialist NOW!”

That got my attention.

Our ophthalmologist diagnosed the problem: vitreous detachment (thank goodness NOT retina detachment). Normally, this particular condition goes away on its own.

Talk about relief!

As the son of two hypochondriacs who enjoyed poor health for years, I’ve always tended to avoid doctor visits at all costs, and that’s not always a good thing.

If you experience sudden noticeable changes in your vision, see a doctor immediately. Here’s an article on when to see an eye doctor.

Had a fascinating conversation with Cathy in Ohio about Prolia, the bone density injection many clients take for Osteoporosis.

This is one of those excellent drugs that is expensive as sin so I get lots of calls about this topic. Cathy inspired me to get on the phone with Amgen to get clarity.

According to Gabby in the Amgen 360 Navigation Department, the makers of Prolia, here are some things to be aware of if your healthcare practitioner prescribes Prolia:

Find out if your MD does “Physician Purchases of Prolia through a buy in bill.” This means that instead of purchasing the Prolia through your prescription drug benefit, the MD’s practice buys Prolia in bulk and the cost of the Prolia falls under your Part B Medicare Benefits. This might save you money.
Ask the billing department to do a “Benefit Verification” to find out the exact cost before you do anything and have them confirm benefits with your insurer.
Check in with Amgen (the makers of Prolia) for advice, 888-427-7478.

The devil here is definitely in the details. Every situation is different, there is no universal solution.

This was a tough year for bees. Here in Colorado, professional bee keepers lost a high percentage of their hives to mites.

I thought my hive died because it was too cold, but when I did my spring inspection, there was plenty of uneaten honey. It turns out the mites overwhelmed the hive and that sure made me sad.

The good news is, I’m not giving up.

Today, I’ll be driving up to Windsor, Colorado to take another beekeeping class and to pick up two new queens and a two boxes of bees. Wish us luck.

You can probably guess from this picture why my little brother, Haas, doesn’t keep bees on his farm in Virginia… too many of these around.

Turns out he left a bag of trash in the covered bed of his truck and this fella made a heck of a mess. Apparently bears love Gatorade and Red Bull. Remember that!

Jon & Charlotte in Florida took this bobcat picture with the front door camera.

Good thing it wasn’t …. wait, is that Mittens?

Last week, I wrote about Dave the dog trainer and his work with service animals for the police.

Apparently, he takes his work home with him. Is this your definition of a lapdog? This looks like true love to me.

Last weekend we took Flo, our French cousin, to a music festival in northern Colorado. We got to see our daughter, Sus, and her boyfriend. Good times!

You’ll be happy to know that I took a taste of my own medicine and tried something new with Flo and Sus.

Tie dye is not something I’ve ever tried before but it was fun, especially when surrounded by young uns having a great time.

Don’t worry, I won’t be joining the Grateful Dead.

But hey, now I have new shirt for yard work.

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… 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 twenty-three states around the country, including:

Alabama
Arizona
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Maryland
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.

When dogs are on the lam – watch out for this scam!

Sure hope this note finds you in great health with promise of Spring putting a lift in your sails… and your Medicare Insurance working properly.

When dogs are on the lam – watch out for this scam!

Are animals near and dear to your heart?

Last week, my little brother’s dogs, Georgia and Piper, dug under his fence and went on the lam in Virginia. Boy was Haas worried!

Haas put out “lost dog” signs all over the county. That same day, he got a text:

Text: Hey, you missing two dogs?

Haas: I sure am! Did you find them?

Text: Before I give you ANY details, I’m going to send you a text with a code. Send me the code and then we can talk!

WARNING, DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER!

According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, this is a common scheme to trick consumers into giving out a Google verification code that’ll be used for illegal activities.

Be vigilant, watch out for phishing scams or anyone claiming to be a family member needing help. Always double check before you give out any personal information!

The good news, Haas recognized this as a scam and did not respond.

Even better, Haas got a call from a neighbor farm and he was reunited with two very tired, dirty, hungry little rascals.

Think they were happy to be home?

Tax Day is behind us, Amen! Here’s a reminder:

If you own a business or a rental property, or, if your medical expenses exceed a certain percentage of your Adjusted Gross Income, you may be able to deduct those costs from your taxes.

This can also apply to Long Term Care Insurance Premiums.

Every situation is different, but this article is good place to start. Also ask your tax person.

Had a great chat with new client David in New York.

David’s lifelong passion has been training service dogs for different police forces around Buffalo. Recently, he was featured on TV for helping to train this Newfoundland (named Bello) to improve its obedience as an Autism anchor dog.

It’s an amazing story if you want to watch.

The good news is, thanks to Dave’s training skills, this families autistic son, who is +6 ft tall and well over 250 pounds, now has a loving companion that prevents him from bolting (which is his default behavior) and literally anchors him to the spot.

This means that the family can take their son out to McDonalds or to the park and Bello’s training and size prevent the young man from running. Bello has made everyone’s’ life better. Well done, Dave!

No need for cholesterol medications, yet, but this chart shows some great foods I’ll be sure to increase eating to keep things on track.

love this picture of client Scott and his wife Ruth. Scott retired from a successful career in the oil and gas industry and has re-invented himself as a Real Estate Agent.

Ruth is an author and continues to work helping companies create a culture that improves workplace stability (and financial wellness) for entry level workers.

Fun fact: Ruth and I went to the same Mennonite high school in the Shenandoah Valley. Years later, we just happened to find out we live less than two miles from each other. Small world, eh?

Sometimes a picture says everything. Client Claire and her Sheltie, Fancy, are a handsome duo, great smiles, great friends! I sure hope you have something to smile about this week!

Remember, keep squeezing the juice out of life.

Medicare questions or problems?

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

If your family or friends have questions, 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 twenty-three 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!

Karl Bruns-Kyler of The Big 65 sees monks walking.

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.

Shoplifters will be prostituted sign in a store.

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.

Photo of Quantz and Nicholas reunited with The Big 65 and Karl Bruns-Kyler.

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

Nicholas holding chopsticks with Karl Bruns-Kyler.

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 multiculture country of Malays, Indians, and Chinese.

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:

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.”

What you need to know about Medicare and travel

May this note find you in good health with your Medicare Insurance working properly. Today, I will discuss what you need to know about Medicare and travel. But first …

Here in Chang Mai, Thailand, no one has accused Quantz of being a “Momster,” yet, but this crocodile statue in front of the temple took a special liking to my wife!

For those of you who have been reading this Medicare newsletter for a while, you already know that Q is much more adventurous than me when we travel.

I tend hang back and observe before jumping into a new activity. That’s just the way I’m wired.

This sense of caution aligns with my mission to help clients avoid irreversible health insurance issues.

While chatting with a client in Ohio this week, I received the following question:

How will my Medicare coverage work when I travel away from home in the US or overseas?

The answer is… it depends.

Regardless of the type of plan you have, emergency care is typically covered as in network anywhere in the United States.

Emergency care is often covered overseas, if you haven’t been out of the US for more than 60 consecutive days.

If you are travelling outside the US, sometimes it makes sense to purchase additional travel insurance that may include medical evacuation, just in case.

The bottom line: every situation is different, so if you have travel coming up, feel free to shoot me an email or just book a time on my calendar.

Please remember the reason for this newsletter is to make sure your Medicare coverage is working the way you expect it to be working.

If you are having problems or just have questions, email my admin Gray, Gray@thebig65.com, or just book a time on my calendar.

Let me know what’s going on your life 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:

Paperwork That Matters

May this blog post find you in good health with your Medicare Coverage working properly. Today, I want to discuss paperwork that matters. But first …

Aren’t these kids cute? I’m a sucker for dinosaur jammies, must be the grandpa instinct kicking in, eh?

Many of you tell me about the joy you receive from your grandvarmints and how important they are to you (at least till they start being teenagers).

Some clients hope to leave something to the next generation. Others say their plan is to spend it all and enjoy life to the fullest.

Either way, most of us hope we will never be a burden to our spouses, our children, or our grandchildren. And yet…

I speak with clients REGULARLY who may be leaving their loved ones in a tight spot if they don’t get this right. Click on the picture below to make sure this isn’t you.

If we live long enough, we are going to die. Therefore, it is essential to have these documents in place long before we need them:

1. Last Will & Testament
2. Trust (if necessary)
3. Power of Attorney
4. Healthcare Power of Attorney
5. Living Will
6. HIPAA Release
7. Letter Of Intent

Not having these documents in place can cause terrible difficulties for your family, so take the time to leave them in a good situation.

If you already have them in place, make sure they are up to date. If you haven’t done them, look for an Eldercare Attorney or consider these forms as a starting point. This is paperwork that matters to everyone.

While travelling in Cambodia, we met and made friends with Tim and Kate, a father/daughter duo from South Carolina exploring the world together.

Tim is and his wife are retired and Kate is engaged and plans to start working when they return from their adventure. What a great way to build a lifelong memory.

When I’m not working, Q always makes sure we visit places of historical interest. In Cambodia, we visited the killing fields where millions were killed by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. It was such a sobering experience and an important reminder of how things can go wrong in the world.

In the capital, Phnom Penh, we had the privilege of meeting Chum Mey, a typewriter repairman, and one of only seven (out of 20,000) who survived Pol Pot’s murderous prison, S-21. The reason the the seven were kept alive is they had specific skills the Khmer needed. What a miracle to have survived. Chum is such an inspirational person and so kind despite the darkness he lived through. What a lesson for us all.

We have so enjoyed getting out of the cities and seeing the countryside.

Asia is graying faster than almost any other part of the world. People are working longer and also staying active, which is a good thing. This farmer showed us the small crabs she gathered from the dry rice paddy on her farm.

While visiting some caves near Luang Prabang, we met a group of children illegally selling wildlife to tourists. Buying this owl, we named him Oliver, was probably the wrong thing to do, he cost three dollars, but we did it anyway.

We brought him back to the hotel and uncaged him on the balcony (of course he bit Quantz, because no good deed goes unpunished.)

Oliver stayed till night fall and then disappeared. Of course it won’t change the world, but it made us feel better.

That’s it for now. The reason I’m here is to make sure your coverage is working the way you expected it to be working.

So if you’re having issues, and you’ve already called your insurance carrier, reach out to Gray, my right hand man, Gray@thebig65.com, and we’ll make sure things get taken care of.

PLEASE forward this newsletter to anyone you know who needs help with their Medicare coverage.

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: