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

CMS released their 2026 Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D projections this week. Join Sarah as she highlights info for agents, from estimates on enrollment and premiums to plan accessibility and more!   Get Connected:

You've probably heard that partnering with a field marketing organization is a great idea for independent agents. Today, we're diving into the WHY. Learn more about Ritter Insurance Marketing: a national FMO offering resources and support for agents like you.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

Dr. Shannon Decker joins Sarah to talk about risk adjustment, the switch from V24 to V28 coding, and what recent changes mean for value-based care.   Find Shannon Decker Online: LinkedIn VBCOne Official Website VBCOne on YouTube   Resources: 5 Things From the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill How to Build Intentional Value ft. Neil Reich Judge Grants Stay on Many 2025 ACA Final Rule Provisions Judge Vacates HHS MA Commissions Lawsuit   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

We illustrate 5 life insurance myths and why your clients may believe them. Learn how to counter these objections so your clients can better understand the life product and you can make the sale!   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: 4 Tips for Making a Better Insurance Sales Pitch A Quick Guide to Understanding Universal Life Insurance How to Make the Most of Life Insurance Awareness Month Identifying Ideal Clients for Universal Life Products Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing What to Do If Your Clients Can No Longer Afford Their Permanent Life Insurance Premiums When to Recommend Life Insurance Based on Its Tax Advantages   References: “2024 Life Insurance Fact Sheet.” LIMRA.Com, LIMRA, www.limra.com/siteassets/newsroom/fact-tank/fact-sheets/2024-life-insurance-fact-sheet.pdf. Accessed 8 Sept. 2025. “2025 Facts About Life Insurance.” LIMRA.Com, LIMRA, www.limra.com/siteassets/newsr

The Friday Five for September 26, 2025: AEP Countdown & Ritter Resources New D-SNP Client Resources Hacking Your Social Media Algorithm iOS 26 Updates to Apple CarPlay The Fight for ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits   Get Connected:

Small business have a few different options for offering coverage to their employees Learn about these 3 options and how your role as an agent fits in.   Read the text version   Register 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.   Resources: ACA 101: Selling Under-65 Health Insurance ACA Enrollment Periods Explained Contract & Get Appointed to Sell with Health Insurance Companies Community-Based Marketing for Insurance Agents Meet Your Sales Team Simplify Marketplace Enrollment with HealthSherpa Six Ways to Generate ACA Leads Social Media Marketing for Insurance Agents FREE eBook DOWNLOAD The Insurance Agent’s Guide to Generating Referrals FREE eBook DOWNLOAD The ICHRA Opportunity for Agents ft. Lisa Marzolino & Danica Stover   References: “Agents & Brokers: How to Register to Sell Shop Insurance.” HealthCare.Gov, www.healthcare.gov/small-businesses/agents-and-brokers/. Accessed 25 Au

Aaron Kassover from AgentMethods joins Sarah to talk about the growing importance of a well-rounded online presence. Don’t miss his approach to creating a digital footprint that shows leads you’re an active insurance agent.   AgentMethods Official Website   Follow AgentMethods on Social! AgentMethods on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/AgentMethods AgentMethods on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/agentmethods-llc/ AgentMethods on Twitter, https://twitter.com/AgentMethods  AgentMethods on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/AgentMethods   Resources: 5 Marketing Podcasts to Follow Content Library: Mastering Medicare Insurance Coverage ft. Jeff Snyder How Relationship Marketing Can Make the Difference in Your Agency Field Notes on Digital Marketing Resources Field Notes on Partner Marketing Resources Field Notes on Traditional Marketing Resources Introducing a Content Marketing Solution for Insurance Agents The ICHRA Opportunity for Agents ft. Lisa Marzolino & Danica Stover   Follow Us on Socia

Get involved and help businesses in your community offer employees affordable health care through Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs).   Read the text version   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.   Resources: Community Engagement & ACA Marketing Suggestions for Agents Field Notes – Digital Resources for Agents How Ask Integrity Can Streamline Your Medicare Sales Appointments How to Ask Your Current Clients for Referrals Meet Your Ritter Sales Team The Insurance Agent’s Guide to Generating Referrals   References: “Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator.” KFF, 14 Aug. 2025, www.kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/. “HRA Council Data Insights Hub.” HRA Council, https://www.hracouncil.org/report. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.   Follow Us on Social!  Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marke

The Friday Five for September 19, 2025: Wrapping up the 2025 Ritter Summits Compliant Compensation for Medicare Sales, Renewals, or Services New Features for Spotify Free & Premium Introvert, Extrovert, Ambivert… Otrovert? Announcing the Launch of IntegrityCONNECT     Get Connected:

Put your insurance business on the map by creating Google Business Profile. Learn how to create a profile, optimize it, and reach larger audiences online. Listen for all this and more!   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.   Resources: 4 Ways PlanEnroll Will Make This Your Best AEP Yet Field Notes for Agents – Communication, Productivity, & Business Resources Setting Up Your Insurance Business Structure ft. Frank Lavery & Justin Abodalo Tips for Becoming a Top Producing Insurance Agency What New Insurance Agents Need to Know   References:   “Get Listed on Google.” Google Business Profile, Google, https://business.google.com/us/business-profile/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2025. “Manage Your Service Areas for Service-Area & Hybrid Businesses.” Google Business Profile Help, Google, https://support.google.com/business/answer/9157481. Accessed 18 Aug. 2025. “Sign up for Business Profile.”

Discover Ritter Insurance Marketing's resource hub for surviving AEP 2026!   Make This Your Best AEP Yet!   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   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.

The Friday Five for September 12, 2025: Ritter Summit Takeaways Part 2 Are Brokers Still in the Crosshairs? Policy and Market Updates for 2026 2026 Medicare & You Handbook Release Date for iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, and WatchOS 26 CMS & HHS Expand ACA Catastrophic Coverage Enrollment   Ritter Summit Takeaways Part 2: Register for Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits   Are Brokers Still in the Crosshairs? Policy and Market Updates for 2026: Watch the Webinar   2026 Medicare & You Handbook: Download Your Copy   Release Date for iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, and WatchOS 26: Peters, Jay. “iOS 26 Is out on September 15th.” Theverge.Com, The Verge, 9 Sept. 2025, www.theverge.com/news/770784/apple-ios-26-release-date-liquid-glass. McAuliffe, Zachary. “I Was Right Yet Again: iOS 26 Is Coming Monday, Sept. 15.” Cnet.Com, CNET, 9 Sept. 2025, www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/i-was-right-yet-again-ios-26-is-coming-monday-sept-15/. Perry, Alex. “Apple iOS 26 Release Date: When You Can Download It.” Mashable.Com, Mashabl

AEP 2026 will be here before you know it. We’ve broken down the path to a successful Annual Enrollment Period in 5 steps, tap that play button to find out what they are!   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: Certification Center on Ritter Docs Compliance Posts on the Ritter Blog Compliance Tab in Ritter Docs Get Registered with Ritter Insurance Marketing Integrity Technology Training Schedule Meet Your Sales Team at Ritter Insurance Marketing Miramar:Agent Pinpoint Global Ritter Events Calendar The Complete Guide on How to Sell Medicare Advantage Plans The Complete Guide on How to Sell Prescription Drug Plans The Ritter Agent Compliance Handbook   References: “CMS 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule.” Federalregister.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/23/2024-07105/medicare-program-changes-to-the-medicare-advantage-and-the

Discover the benefits to selling hospital indemnity plans!     Download Your FREE Copy – The Insurance Agent’s Guide to Understanding Hospital Indemnity Policies    Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.    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.

Artificial intelligence can streamline and automate menial tasks for agents. In this episode find out the pros and cons of using AI for your insurance business.    Read the text version   Partner 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.   Resources: Ask Integrity Gen Z and Insurance Sales: The Perfect Match How to Recruit Agents to Your Downline Integrity Tools for Agents Introducing Integrity for Agencies: Innovate Your Downline Insurance Business Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing Tips for Becoming a Top Producing Insurance Agency   References: “Siri.” Apple, https://www.apple.com/siri/. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025. “What Is Gemini and How It Works.” Gemini, https://gemini.google/overview/. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025. “Why Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) so Important?: CSU Global.” Colorado State University Global, 22 Apr. 2025, https://csuglobal.edu/blog/why-ai-important.   Follow Us on Social!  Ritt

This week, we tackle 5 Medicare myths that your clients may believe. Learn how to respectfully refute these myths, educate your clients, and empower them to make informed choices.   The Content Library from Ritter Insurance Marketing  

We’ve got updates on the 2026 ACA Exchange, requirements, and training resources!   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.   List of State Exchange Websites   Resources: Certification Center - Ritter Docs Everything Agents Need to Know About Selling in State-Based Marketplaces FREE eBook download The Complete Guide to Selling Affordable Care Act Insurance Plans How to Become Certified for ACA Marketplace Sales with FFM Training OEP Ready-to-Sell Checklist for New Agents Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing Simplify Marketplace Enrollment HealthSherpa   References: “Brokers.” Marketplace Individual & Families, https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/agent/. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025. “Brokers: Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority.” PHIEA, https://agency.pennie.com/brokers/. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025. “FAQs for Marketplace Agents and Brokers.” Agent Broker FAQ CMS, https://www.agentbrokerfaq.cms.gov/s/a

The Friday Five for August 29, 2025: Ritter Summits Takeaways & Shoutouts What I’m Watching Right Now Apple “Awe Dropping” Event Announced Spotify Slips Into the DMs Judge Grants Stay on Many 2025 ACA Final Rule Provisions   Get Connected:

We're back with another update on Ritter's Content Library - Mastering Medicare Insurance Coverage! This time, Sarah and Jeff chat about how this content can help agents educate clients about the ins and outs of their Medicare coverage.  

Selling Affordable Care Act Insurance plans can be a lucrative addition to your business!   Register 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.   Resources: 6 Ways to Generate ACA Leads 2026 ACA Exchange & FFM Certification Info ACA Enrollment Periods Explained Agent Requirements for ACA Sales Everything Agents Need to Know About Selling in State-Based Marketplaces How to Become Certified for ACA Marketplace Sales with Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) Training Operating From a People-First Mentality ft. Scott Zimmerman The Complete Guide to Selling Affordable Care Act Plans – FREE eBook Download What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?   References: “5 Steps to Start Selling Marketplace Health & Dental Plans.” HealthCare.Gov, https://www.healthcare.gov/agent-broker-quick-start/. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. “Low Cost Marketplace Health Care, Qualifying Income Levels.” HealthCare.Gov, https: