Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Maiz.
Hi Brian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
After high school, I joined the Marine Corps and was stationed in Iwakuni, Japan, and Cherry Point, North Carolina. After leaving the service, I spent more than 20 years in corporate technology, primarily with Cisco Systems. That career taught me how to work through complex problems, communicate clearly, and build systems people can depend on.
Over time, I wanted to apply that experience in a way that allowed me to work directly with the people I was helping. Medicare was a natural fit. It is a complicated system, but the decisions are deeply personal and can affect someone’s healthcare and finances for years. My father also works in the Medicare space in The Villages, Florida, so I had the opportunity to see firsthand the value of building lasting relationships.
I founded Care at 65 as an independent Medicare agency built around clear guidance, careful plan evaluation, and ongoing client service. Today, I am licensed in multiple states and help people understand their options, compare coverage based on their individual needs, and make informed decisions with confidence.
For me, this is not about completing an enrollment and moving on. It is about becoming a trusted resource clients can continue to rely on as their healthcare needs and Medicare coverage change over time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would not say it has been completely smooth, but I never expected building a business from the ground up to be easy. One of the biggest adjustments was going from a company like Cisco, where specialized teams and resources were always available, to being responsible for every part of the operation. Client service, compliance, technology, marketing, and the day-to-day decisions all ultimately come back to me.
I am naturally driven, so one of my biggest challenges has been learning that not everything has to happen at once. There is always another call to make, a process to improve, or an idea worth exploring. Building a strong reputation and a lasting business takes time, and I have had to become more intentional about where I focus my energy and when I step away.
Even with those challenges, I genuinely enjoy the process. I wake up with a real sense of purpose, and no two days are exactly the same. Every obstacle has pushed me to improve the way I operate and serve my clients, and the business is stronger because of it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Care at 65?
Care at 65 is an independent, owner-operated Medicare insurance agency. When someone calls in, they work directly with me, not a call center or a rotating group of agents. I remain their point of contact from the first conversation through enrollment, annual reviews, and any questions that come up along the way.
I help people understand and compare Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D prescription drug coverage. That means looking beyond the monthly premium and considering the full picture, including doctors, prescriptions, anticipated healthcare needs, travel, budget, and how someone prefers to receive care. I also regularly help people with more specialized situations, including those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, have chronic conditions and veterans who need to understand how Medicare works with the VA or TRICARE for Life.
What sets Care at 65 apart is the combination of independent guidance and personal accountability. Medicare decisions should never feel rushed or based on benefits that sound attractive in an advertisement. My job is to explain the options clearly, answer questions honestly, and help each person understand what they are choosing and why it fits their needs.
The relationship also does not end when an enrollment is completed. I check in with clients throughout the year, help when questions or problems arise, and review their coverage as their needs and available plans change.
What I am most proud of is that Care at 65 has remained personal as it has grown. I want every client to feel comfortable calling me with a question, whether it is next week or several years from now. My goal is to be a trusted advocate they can rely on for as long as they will have me.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Do not wait until you have everything figured out before you begin, because that day will never come. You will learn far more by doing the work, listening to people, and correcting course as you go.
There will be good days, frustrating days, and stretches when it feels like you are putting in a tremendous amount of effort without seeing much progress. That is normal. Building a business rarely happens in a straight line, and many of the things you are working on today will not produce visible results until much later.
I would also recommend finding people you trust who have already been down the road you are starting on. I was fortunate to have friends in the business, as well as my father, who were willing to answer questions and give me honest feedback. A good mentor will tell you what you need to hear, not simply what you want to hear, and that can save you a great deal of time and frustration.
Most importantly, be patient with yourself without becoming complacent. Keep learning, keep improving, and give your work enough time to take root. Something worthwhile will almost always take longer to build than you initially expect.
Pricing:
- My services are always free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://careat65.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careat65/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/careat65/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmaiz/
- Twitter: https://x.com/Careat65
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Careat65
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/_7iOkxtqT3YDm-NauadsCQ
- Other: https://nextdoor.com/page/care-at-65-oceanside-ca/
