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

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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The Friday Five for July 18, 2025: Update on Regulation Banning Medical Debt from Credit Reporting Google Announces NotebookLM Featured Notebooks This week in Apple Rumors Threads Usage Up, Meta Testing Facebook Login 2026 Midwest D-SNP Market Opportunity   Get Connected:

Are you just starting out in the insurance industry and aren’t sure what path is right for you? In this episode we break down the pros and cons of becoming a captive or independent agent.   Work with Ritter Insurance Marketing   Resources: 3 Advantages of Being an Independent Insurance Agent 10 Essential Tools for Beginner Insurance Agents AHIP Test Tips and Tricks for Medicare Certification FAQs About AHIP FAQs About NABIP Medicare Certification FREE eBook Download - The Guide to Earning a Living Selling Health Insurance FREE eBook Download – How Insurance FMOs Work LeadCENTER Learn More About PlanEnroll Licensing Requirements for Becoming a Health Insurance Agent MedicareCENTER   References: Kagan, Julia. “Captive Agent: What It Is, How It Works, Pros and Cons.” Investopedia, Investopedia, https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/captive-agent.asp. Accessed 19 June 2025. Rosanes, Mark. “How Do Insurance Agents Make Money?” Insurance Business America, Insurance Business, 13 July 2023, https://www.insurancebusin

Don’t miss the ASG Podcast cheat sheet on keeping in touch with client the old-fashioned way – through mail.

Ready for a better commission tracking solution? Don’t miss our episode featuring suggestions on tracking your hard-earned commissions.   Register for your FREE RitterIM.com Account   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: AHIP Test Tips and Tricks for Medicare Certification Building the Foundation for Success ft. Roy Snarr Four Reasons Why Ritter Should Be Your FMO Insurance Agency How to Avoid Using Elderspeak Operating From a People-First Mentality ft. Scott Zimmerman The Best Appointment Schedulers for Insurance Agents The Difference Between Medicare & Medicaid: What That Means for Insurance Agents The Ultimate Agent Resource List Pt. 3: Staying Organized What Are Agents Responsible for Under HIPAA?   References: “Agencybloc Commissions Management.” Agencybloc.Com, AgencyBloc, www.agencybloc.com/commissions-management/. Accessed 10 June 2025. “AgencyComp Commissions Tracker.” Agencycomp.Com, AgencyComp, agen

In this week’s Friday Five, Sarah gives her first impressions on what agents need to know about the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill. Learn more about what’s changed for Medicare, Medicaid, ACA, and more!   Get Connected:

Partnerships can be a powerful growth strategy for your business. Learn more about marketing your business through collaboration and community involvement.   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.   Resources: 5 Insurance Marketing Tips to Help Agents Stand Out from the Crowd 5 Things to Consider When Creating Your Personal Brand Community-Based Marketing for Insurance Agents Community Engagement & ACA Marketing Suggestions for Agents How Relationship Marketing Can Make the Difference in Your Agency Modern Medicare Marketing for Today's Agents Operating From a People-First Mentality ft. Scott Zimmerman Ready to partner with an FMO? Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing! The Insurance Agent’s Guide to Establishing Successful Affinity Partnerships   References: “Affinity Marketing: The Art of Building Connections.” Mailchimp.Com, Intuit, mailchimp.com/resources/affinity-marketing/. Accessed 10 June 2

We’ve got the breakdown of all the Medicare and Medicare Advantage enrollment periods that beginner agents need to know.   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: 10 Essential Tools for Beginner Insurance Agents: https://ritterim.com/blog/10-essential-tools-for-beginner-insurance-agents/ Apps for Comparing Healthcare & Prescriptions: https://lnk.to/ASGA85 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Do’s and Don’ts: https://ritterim.com/blog/medicare-advantage-open-enrollment-dos-and-donts/ Self-Guided Training with Knight School: https://ritterim.com/knight-school/ The Difference Between Medicare & Medicaid: https://lnk.to/ASGAE01 What is AHIP Certification and How Do I Get It? https://lnk.to/asg672   References: Franchina, Chris. “AEP vs. OEP: Understanding the Differences for Medicare.” Policy Engineer, 11 Jan. 2025, https://policyengineer.com/aep-vs-oep-understanding-the-differences-for-medicare/. “Get Ready to Bu

Take your business into the modern world of digital marketing. We’ve compiled the ultimate guide to getting started, tips, resources, and more!   Read the text version   Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing   Full-Service Digital Marketing Services: $99 Social ConciergeBee Disruptive Advertising Firebelly MarketingHubstaff Talent Ignite Visibility KlientBoostLinkedIn Lyfe Marketing ReminderMedia SEO DiscoveryUpwork   Self-Service Digital Marketing Options: Buffer Constant Contact GoDaddy Google Ads HostGator HubSpot MailChimp Semrush SEO Meta in 1 Click Social Bee Squarespace Wix   Resources: 3 Insurance Business Tools You Absolutely Can’t Live Without Ritter Insurance Marketing Agent Compliance Handbook How to Market Yourself Online Webinar Field Notes on Traditional Marketing Integrity Tools Insurance Agents as TPMOs: What CMS Compliance Regulations Mean for You Introducing The Content Library for Health Insurance Agents Modern Medicare Marketing for Today’s Agents FREE eBook Download PlanEnroll Ritter’

Learn how to promote your insurance business with traditional marketing strategies. We cover what agents should know: marketing materials, use cases, and where to find resources!   Partner Resources: AllOver Media Lead Concepts LeadingResponse ReminderMedia Branded Magazine Info Ritter Agents working with ReminderMedia   Design Resources: 99Designs Fiverr Freelancer Upwork   Print Resources: 4imprint Carvertise FASTSIGNS Lead Concepts MOO Office Depot Printing Services Printful Staples Print & Marketing Services Sticker Mule Vistaprint Wrapify   Ritter Resources: 8 Relationship Marketing Strategies for Insurance Agents featuring ReminderMedia’s Luke Acree and Andrew Saksa Get Access to Exclusive Leads When You Become a PlanEnroll Network Agent Integrity Official Site Integrity Tools LeadCENTER MedicareCENTER MedicareCENTER FAQs PlanEnroll FAQs Read The Ultimate Agent Resource List Part 1 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing ShopRitterIM   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.c

In this episode of Agent Essentials, we’re covering the definition of the Health Insurance Marketplace!   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   The Complete Guide to Selling Affordable Care Act Insurance Plans   Resources: FREE DOWNLOAD – The Complete Guide to Selling Affordable Care Act Insurance Plans: https://ritterim.com/aca-ebook/   How Much Can Agents Make Selling Under-65 Insurance: https://lnk.to/TlGBGH Meet Your Ritter Sales Team: https://ritterim.com/meet-your-sales-team/ Under-65 Health Products: https://ritterim.com/products/under-65/   State Based Marketplaces: “Covered California: The Official Site of California’s Health Insurance Marketplace.” Covered California, https://www.coveredca.com/. Accessed 12 June 2025. “Colorado’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace.” Connect for Health Colorado, 27 May 2025, https://connectforhealthco.com/. Accessed 12 June 2025. Access Health CT, https://www.accesshealthct.com/.

Ever thought about incorporating your insurance business? Not sure if it’s the right move? In this episode, Sarah is joined by attorneys Frank Lavery and Justin Abodalo to learn more about business entities and how they’re structured. Frank focuses on the corporate law side, while Justin specializes in tax implications. Listen as theyir share their knowledge and weigh the pros and cons of each business structure option.   Find Frank Lavery Online: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-lavery-a05a57255/ McNees: https://www.mcneeslaw.com/people/frank-lavery/   Find Justin Abodalo Online: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-abodalo-463b3547/ McNees: https://www.mcneeslaw.com/people/justin-abodalo/   References: Finnerty, Timothy, et al. “Closing Call for the Corporate Transparency Act: Fincen Removes Reporting Requirements for Domestic Business Entities.” Mcneeslaw.Com, McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, 27 Mar. 2025, www.mcneeslaw.com/closing-call-corporate-transparency-act-fincen/. Abodalo, Justin

Is business growth on your 2025 goals list? Don't miss this episode! We outline features and drawbacks of the different carrier types to help you fill in portfolio gaps.   Read the text version   Request your Free Portfolio Review from the team at Ritter   Resources: Adding Spokes to Your Wheel ft. Robert Rothschild: https://lnk.to/rothschild2025 Diversify Your Insurance Portfolio & Reap Real Rewards: https://lnk.to/asg651 Learn more about Integrity Tools: https://ritterim.com/integrity-tools/ Meet the Ritter Sales Team: https://ritterim.com/meet-your-sales-team/ Operating From a People-First Mentality ft. Scott Zimmerman: https://lnk.to/zimmerman2025 Portfolio Review Request: https://ritterim.com/portfolio/?utm_source=asg_podcast_link Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing: https://app.ritterim.com/public/registration/?utm_source=asg_podcast_link Ritter Insurance Marketing Carriers by State: https://ritterim.com/products/by-carrier/ Ritter Platform: https://app.ritterim.com/ Takeaways on Social Media M

Join Sarah for a rundown of this week’s updates for insurance agents, featuring her deep dive into the CMS 2025 ACA Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Final Rule.   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Connect With 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/   Resources: 5 Things About the Insurance License Exam, 1 Year Later: https://lnk.to/asgf20250620 Are You Self-Sabotaging Your Insurance Sales Suc

This just in: CMS 2026 maximum broker commissions for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D. Listen to learn more about commission structure and the caps writing MA and PDP business in your market for the upcoming 2026 plan year.   Read the text version   Resources: AHIP 2026 Certification Dates: https://lnk.to/asgf20250516 Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. FAQs About NABIP Medicare Certification: https://ritterim.com/blog/faqs-about-nabip-medicare-certification/ How to Avoid Using Elderspeak: https://lnk.to/asgf20250530 Reach out to the team at Ritter Insurance Marketing: https://ritterim.com/meet-your-sales-team/  Reassuring Your Clients During Difficult Times: https://lnk.to/asg671 What is AHIP Certification and How Do I Get It? https://lnk.to/asg672   References: “2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement.” CMS.Gov, CMS, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-rate-an

Join Sarah and Tina as they review frequently asked questions about NABIP Medicare Certification. Don’t miss out on resources to help you get ready-to-sell!   Read the text version   NABIP Official Website: https://www.nabiptraining.org/   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: 4 Ways PlanEnroll Will Make This Your Best AEP Yet: https://lnk.to/cdV0H1 Making Your Own Luck ft. Michael Krantz: https://lnk.to/krantz2025 Survive AEP with Ritter Insurance Marketing: https://ritterim.com/aep/ The Survivor’s AEP Checklist: https://ritterim.com/blog/the-survivors-aep-checklist/  What is AHIP Certification and How Do I Get It? https://lnk.to/asg672   References: “Approved Carriers for 2025.” NABIP.Org, https://www.nabiptraining.org/nabip/carriers. Accessed 5 June 2025. “Corporate Partnership.” NABIP, https://nabip.org/membership/corporate-partnership. Accessed 5 June 2025. “Course Credit Details.” NABIP.Org, https://www.nabi

Learn more about the NABIP Medicare Advantage Certification (MMACR), an alternative program for agents looking to satisfy their Medicare & Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training requirements from CMS.   Read the text version   Resources: 4 Ancillary Cross-Sales to Show Clients You Care: https://lnk.to/asg670 AHIP 2026 Certification Dates: https://lnk.to/asgf20250516 Reassuring Your Clients During Difficult Times: https://lnk.to/asg671 Takeaways on Social Media Marketing in 2025: https://lnk.to/asgf20250523 What Is AHIP Certification and How Do I Get It? https://lnk.to/asg672   References: “NABIP Approved Carriers .” NABIP.Org, NABIP, https://www.nabiptraining.org/nabip/carriers. Accessed 2 June 2025. “NABIP Medicare Advantage Certification.” NABIP.Org, NABIP, https://www.nabiptraining.org/nabip/medicare. Accessed 2 June 2025. “NABIP Official Site.” Nabip.Org, NABIP, nabip.org/. Accessed 2 June 2025. “NABIP Professional Development.” Nabip.Org, NABIP, nabip.org/professional-development. Accessed 2 June 2025.   F

  The 2026 AHIP Certification training is now live! We’re covering AHIP FAQs to help you prepare!   Read the text version    Resources: Diversify Your Insurance Portfolio & Reap Real Rewards: https://lnk.to/asg651 Get Access to Exclusive Leads When You Become a PlanEnroll Network Agent: https://lnk.to/3pKJsF FAQs About NABIP Medicare Certification: https://ritterim.com/blog/faqs-about-nabip-medicare-certification/ FMO vs. IMO vs. NMO vs. MGA vs. GA: What’s the Difference? https://lnk.to/asg658 The Survivor’s AEP Checklist: https://ritterim.com/blog/the-survivors-aep-checklist/ Updates to the 2026 AHIP Certification You Should Know: https://ritterim.com/blog/updates-to-the-2026-ahip-certification-you-should-know/   References:  “AHIP Medicare + Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (MFWA) Online Course.” Ahipmedicaretraining.com, 2025, https://www.ahipmedicaretraining.com/page/login. Accessed 20 May 2025. AHIP Technical Support: Support@AHIPInsuranceEducation.org Sawchuck, Craig. “Test Anxiety: Can It Be Treated?” Mayo