Agent Survival Guide Podcast: Empowering Insurance Agents Selling Medicare, Long-term Care, Life, Annuities, & Final Expense

Lisa Marzolino and Danica Stover join Sarah to talk about ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements) and the partnership between Nexben and Ritter Insurance Marketing. Listen to learn more about this exciting opportunity for agents!

The Friday Five for August 22, 2025: Field Notes on OBBBA, Spotify, and TikTok D. Power Medicare Advantage Member Satisfaction Survey Sonder Health Plans Inc. Termination Short-Term Medical Plan Regulation Update Judge Vacates HHS MA Commissions Lawsuit   Get Connected:

In this Field Notes episode we’re reviewing Agency Management Systems to automate tasks, distribute leads, and streamline your business.   Read the text version   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Agency Management Systems: AgencyBloc AMS+ AMS360 Hawksoft MedicarePRO NextAgency Radius Agency   Resources: How to Sell Final Expense Insurance FREE eBook Download How to Recruit Agents to Your Downline Integrity Tools for Insurance Agents The Difference Between Captive and Independent Agents Your Best AEP Yet with Ritter Insurance Marketing   References: “AMS360.” Vertafore, https://www.vertafore.com/products/agency-management-software/ams360. Accessed 31 July 2025. “Agency Management System Built for You!” Radius, https://www.radiusbob.com/. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. “Agency Management System/CRM for Health & Life Insurance: Agencybloc.” AgencyBloc Insurance Agency CRM, https://www.agencybloc.com/. Accessed 31 July 2025. “AMS

Connect with your clients in more than one way. Check out our recommendations for video calling software!   Read the text version   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Video Communication Resources: Google Meet Google Workspace Microsoft Meet Phone.com RingCentral Zoho Webinar Zoho Meeting Zoom Webinars Zoom Workplace   Resources: 5 Things From the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill Field Notes for Agents Playlist Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing Setting Up Your Insurance Business Structure ft. Frank Lavery & Justin Abodalo The Insurance Agent’s Guide to Generating Referrals – FREE eBook Download   References: “AI-Powered Online Video Meetings.” RingCentral, https://www.ringcentral.com/video.html. Accessed 24 July 2025. “Collaboration Tools for Teams of All Sizes.” Zoom, https://www.zoom.com/en/products/collaboration-tools/. Accessed 24 July 2025. “Deliver Your Message, Captivate Your Audience.” Zoom, https://www.z

Stay in touch with clients, expand your network, and grow your business with these email communication tools!   Read the text version    Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Email Communication Resources: AgencyBloc AgentMethods’ AMPlify Canva Constant Contact Google Workspace MailChimp MedicareCENTER Microsoft 365 ReminderMedia Ritter Insurance Marketing SquareSpace Zoho Mail   Ritter Resources: Are Your Medicare Marketing Materials Compliant? Content Library Insurance Agents as TPMOs: What CMS Compliance Regulations Mean for You Modern Medicare Marketing for Today’s Agents - FREE eBook Download The Ritter Blog   References: “Agency Management System/CRM for Health & Life Insurance: Agencybloc.” AgencyBloc Insurance Agency CRM, https://www.agencybloc.com/. Accessed 22 July 2025. AgentMethods. “Insurance Marketing Automation - Increase Sales, Renewals, and Referrals.” AgentMethods, https://www.agentmethods.com/amplify/.

The best tool to connect with your clients is in your hands! We’ve compiled a list of applications that make compliant communication through the phone a lot easier. Listen to learn more!   Read the text version   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Phone & VolP Resources: AgencyBloc Phone.com RingCentral Zoom Phone   Call Recording Application Resources: AgencyBloc’s Plus Suite Integrity’s MedicareCENTER Recordia Telephony Service Senior Market Sales CallRecording Solution TTEC Mobile Record and Store Now   Ritter Resources: eBooks & Guides Field Notes Episode Playlist The Ritter Blog   References:   Tautimes, Mari. “Should Insurance Agents Use Text Messages to Communicate with Clients?” Western Asset Protection Blog, Western Asset Protection, 16 May 2019, info.westernassetprotection.com/blog/should-insurance-agents-use-text-messages-to-communicate-with-clients Dice, Zach. “VoIP vs. Company Cell Phones: Which Is Bes

The Friday Five for August 15, 2025: Threads, Waze, AEP Countdown CMS 2026 Medicare Part D Bid Information Medicare Part B Cost Projections 2026 COLA Estimate CY2026 ACA Premium Rate Filings   Get Connected:

Hear tips and advice from industry veterans about making sales and connecting with new clients. If you just started in the insurance industry, this episode is for you!   Work with Ritter Insurance Marketing   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Ritter Resources: How Insurance FMOs Work – FREE eBook Integrity Tools & Resources PlanEnroll – Take Your Business to the Next Level The Ritter Platform Your Step-By-Step Guide to Getting Started in Insurance Sales - FREE eBook   Ritter Blog: 10 Essential Tools for Beginner Insurance Agents Are You Self-Sabotaging Your Insurance Sales Success? Questions to Ask Clients Shopping for an ACA Plan   More episodes from ASG: AHIP Test Tips and Tricks for Medicare Certification Medicare Enrollment Periods Explained The Difference Between Captive and Independent Agents   Follow Us on Social!  Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter

Stay organized with help from the Agent Survival Guide! In this episode, we've got notes on digital calendars for agents.   Read the text version   Resources: 5 Things From the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill Field Notes on Digital Marketing Resources Field Notes on Productivity Tools Field Notes on Project Management Solutions Field Notes on Traditional Marketing Resources Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing The Ultimate Agent Resource List Pt. 1: Market Yourself The Ultimate Agent Resource List Pt. 2: Keeping in Touch with Clients The Ultimate Agent Resource List Pt. 3: Staying Organized   Digital Calendar Tools: Calendar in Microsoft Outlook Fantastical Google Calendar Morgen   References: Singh, Shubham. “iPhone Users & Sales Statistics 2025.” Demandsage.Com, DemandSage, 7 July 2025, www.demandsage.com/iphone-user-statistics/.   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin

Go granular with Sarah as we dive deeper into productivity tools to focus specifically on project management solutions. Use these suggestions to organize and scale your workflow!   Read the text version   Get access to Ritter Insurance Marketing Solutions – Register today   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Project Management Solutions: Asana Basecamp Monday.com Trello Wrike   Resources: Field Notes on Digital Marketing Resources Field Notes on Productivity Tools Field Notes on Traditional Marketing Resources The Ultimate Agent Resource List Pt. 1: Market Yourself The Ultimate Agent Resource List Pt. 2: Keeping in Touch with Clients The Ultimate Agent Resource List Pt. 3: Staying Organized   References: Gurnov, Artem. “Best 21 Project Management Tools in 2025: Expert Reviews and Comparisons.” Wrike.Com, Wrike, 3 July 2025, www.wrike.com/project-management-guide/faq/what-are-project-management-tools/. “From Agile to Waterf

The Friday Five for August 8, 2025: Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits Linda Yaccarino Enters Health Industry iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 Public Beta Takeaways New Instagram Features 2025 MA Enrollment Stats & Trends   Register to Attend Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits Work with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!   Linda Yaccarino Enters Health Industry: “eMed® Population Health Announces Appointment of Former X (Twitter) CEO Linda Yaccarino as New Chief Executive Officer.” Emed.Com, eMed, 5 Aug. 2025, www.emed.com/media/exploring-glp1. Capoot, Ashley. “Former X CEO Linda Yaccarino Takes Helm at Digital Health Company eMed.” CNBC.Com, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2025, www.cnbc.com/2025/08/05/former-x-ceo-linda-yaccarino-takes-helm-at-digital-health-company-emed.html. Roy, Sriparna, and Sneha S K. “Former X CEO Yaccarino Takes Helm at GLP-1 Focused Telehealth Firm eMed.” Reuters.Com, Reuters, 5 Aug. 2025, www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/former-x-ceo-ya

Take your insurance agency to the next level with these business strategies and agent resources!   Read the text version   Take Your Business to the Next Level with Ritter Insurance Marketing   Ritter & Integrity Resources: Events with Ritter LeadCENTER LifeCENTER Marketing & Incentives with Ritter MedicareCENTER Register with Integrity Ritter Insurance Marketing Registration Ritter Summits 2025 Registration The Ritter Platform   Additional Episodes, Blog Posts, & eBooks: 3 Insurance Business Tools You Absolutely Can’t Live Without ASG Podcast Field Notes Series Best Practices for Training Downline Agents Developing an Agency – Your Guide to Getting Started FREE eBook Download How to Recruit Insurance Agents to Your Downline Keys to Client Retention: Face-to-Face Communication Ritter Can Help You Stay in Touch with Your Clients The Complete Guide on How to Sell Medicare Supplements FREE eBook Download The Insurance Agent’s Guide to Establishing Successful Affinity Partnerships FREE eBook Download

Ready to expand your business? It might be time to form an insurance agency. Not sure where to start? We’ve got your guide right here!   Download a copy of Developing an Agency: Your Guide to Getting Started   Partner with Ritter Insurance Marketing to Develop Your Insurance Agency   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance      Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel   Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-7

Your business is growing, and you’ve got new agents excited to get out in the field! In this episode we’ve got tips and strategies for training downline agents. Read the text version   Developing an Agency – Your Guide to Getting Started   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Ritter Blog: 4 Tips for Making a Better Insurance Sales Pitch How to Get Health and Life Insurance Continuing Education Credits as an Agent How to Recruit Insurance Agents to Your Downline The Best Books for Insurance Agents The Ritter Blog Tips for Becoming a Top Producing Insurance Agency What Are Insurance Hierarchies & How Do They Work?   Podcast Episodes: Level Up: The Value of Sales Shadowing for New Insurance Agents Setting Up Your Insurance Business Structure ft. Frank Lavery & Justin Abodalo Should You Hire an Assistant for Your Insurance Business? The Agent Survival Guide Podcast   Additional Resources: Events with Ritter Insurance Mar

We dive into the Affordable Care Act enrollment periods and how to help your clients navigate them!   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: ACA Basics - Knight School Training Takeaways From the 2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability CMS Final Rule Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing The Complete Guide to Selling Affordable Care Act Insurance Plans FREE eBook Download The Pros and Cons of Selling Insurance What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?   References: “CMS Finalizes Major Rule to Lower Individual Health Insurance Premiums for Americans.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, 20 June 2025, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-finalizes-major-rule-lower-individual-health-insurance-premiums-americans. “Cost Changes for Pennie Enrollees Coming in 2026.” Pennie, https://pennie.com/costs/. Accessed 2 July 2025. “Getting Health Coverage Outside Open Enrollment.” HealthCare.Gov, http

Ready to recruit? Don't miss our episode with tips on where to find applicants, training resources, and more!   Read the text version   Resources: Before You Recruit: Setting Up Your Agency for Success Developing an Agency - Your Guide to Getting Started FMO vs. IMO vs. NMO vs. MGA vs. GA: What's the Difference? Learn More About PlanEnroll Find Your Agency Specialist Tech Takeaways for Forward-Thinking Insurance Agents PlanEnroll Official Site Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing   References: Falk, Stefan. “8 Signs You’re an Ambivert—They’re ‘Underrated’ and ‘More Successful’ than Introverts or Extroverts: Psychology Expert.” Cnbc.Com, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2025, www.cnbc.com/2025/02/21/psychology-expert-signs-youre-an-ambivert-why-theyre-more-successful-than-introverts-and-extroverts.html. “The True Cost of a Bad Hire-and How to Avoid Making One.” Forbes.Com, Forbes Magazine, 30 June 2025, www.forbes.com/sites/allbusiness/2025/06/30/the-true-cost-of-a-bad-hire-and-how-to-avoid-making-one/. “Monthly Labor Review

Feel like you’re working past your capacity? It may be time to hire an assistant for your insurance business!   Read the text version   Learn more about Ask Integrity   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: Ask Integrity FREE eBook Download – The Complete Guide to Client Loyalty and Retention From Chill Mode to Growth Mode ft. Christian Brindle How Ask Integrity Can Streamline Your Medicare Sales Appointments How to Recruit Insurance Agents to Your Downline Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing The Ritter Platform   Websites for Freelancers: Fiverr LinkedIn Service Marketplace Upwork   References: Basu, Tyler. “How to Hire a Virtual Assistant: Entrepreneur’s Guide to Outsourcing.” THINKIFIC, https://www.thinkific.com/blog/hire-a-virtual-assistant-outsourcing-guide/. Accessed 25 June 2025. “When Do You and Your Business Need an Executive Assistant?” Indeed.Com, https://www.indeed.com/hire/c/info/when-do-you-and-y

D-SNP integration changes are about to hit year 2 in 2026. What does that mean for the market? Lincoln Lafayette and Anthony Budhar join Sarah to chat about the D-SNP market in 2026 and the opportunities for agents selling dual-eligible special needs plans.  

This week's Friday Five is a mini-explainer on ICHRA: the Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Learn more about this type of coverage and partnership opportunities for Ritter Insurance Marketing agents to offer it.   Have questions about ICHRA or QSEHRA? Send them our way by email ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: 5 Things From the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill 2026 Midwest D-SNP Market Opportunity Community Engagement & ACA Marketing Suggestions Field Notes on Partner Marketing Resources How an ICHRA Partnership Can Support ACA Sales What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?   References: “6 Reasons to Appreciate All That ICHRAs Have to Offer.” Nexben.Com, Nexben, 24 June 2025, www.nexben.com/blog/6-reasons-to-appreciate-all-that-ichras-have-to-offer. “A Broker’s Guide to ICHRA Defined Contributions: Strategies, Affordability, and Examples.” Nexxben.Com, Nexben, 17 July 2025, www.nexben.com/blog/a-brokers-guide-to-ichra-defined-contribut

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