Agent Survival Guide | Empowering Insurance Agents to Survive Today and Thrive Tomorrow

Hosted by Sarah J. Rueppel | Ritter Insurance Marketing | Insurance Agent Tips, Tools & Training

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Bringing insurance agents tips and strategies for making sales, staying compliant, marketing yourself, getting leads, and more! Think of the Agent Survival Guide as your go-to resource for insight, information, and the inspiration needed to take the next step on your journey. Whether you’re just getting started or a seasoned pro, the ASG Podcast has got you covered. Empowering insurance agents selling Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, ACA, Long and Short-Term Care, Life, Annuities, and Final Expense.

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October 23, 202616 min

2028 MA Proposed Rule, ACA Agent Moratorium Lawsuit & Epic’s Rx Marketplace

The Friday Five for October 23, 2026: Medicare Advantage Stakeholders Survey Results Epic Announces New Prescription Marketplace CMS Removes Duplicate Enrollments from ACA Rolls NABIP Files Lawsuit Over Moratorium on New ACA Agents CMS Medicare Advantage Proposed Rule Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! 📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode 🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast 📰 Get Field Notes delivered to your inbox! 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com . Medicare Advantage Stakeholders Survey Results: “Charting A Path Forward For Medicare Advantage: Expert Consensus On Policy Priorities And Trade-Offs.” Healthaffairs.org, Health Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026, https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01724 . “Little room for stakeholder onsensus among potential Medicare Advantage reforms.” Fiercehealthcare.com, Fierce Healthcare, 8 Oct. 2026, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/look-stakeholder-perspectives-medicare-advantage-reform . Epic Announces Prescription Marketplace: “Epic teams up with Amazon Pharmacy, LillyDirect and Mark Cuban to launch prescription drug pricing tool.” Fiercehealthcare.com, Fierce Healthcare, 15 Oct. 2026, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/epic-teams-amazon-pharmacy-mark-cuban-launch-prescription-drug-pricing-tool . “Prescription Marketplace Will Let Patients Compare Pharmacy Cash Prices Before Leaving the Doctor’s Office.” Epic.com, Epic, 15 Oct. 2026, https://www.epic.com/epic/post/prescription-marketplace-will-let-patients-compare-pharmacy-cash-prices-before-leaving-the-doctors-office/ . “New Regulations Make It Easier to Find, Compare, and Report Healthcare Pricing and Coverage Information.” 5 Oct. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/new-regulations-make-it-easier-find-compare-report-healthcare-pricing-coverage-information . “Transparency in Coverage Final Rules (CMS 9882-F).” cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 5 Oct. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/transparency-coverage-final-rules-cms-9882-f . CMS Removes Duplicate Enrollments from ACA Rolls: “CMS takes aim at duplicative ACA, Medicaid enrollments.” Fiercehealthcare.com, Fierce Healthcare, 14 Oct. 2026, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/cms-takes-aim-duplicative-aca-medicaid-enrollments . “Trump Administration Delivers Second Year of Savings by Stopping Taxpayer Payments for Duplicate and Deceased Enrollees in Obamacare.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 14 Oct. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-delivers-second-year-savings-stopping-taxpayer-payments-duplicate-deceased . “US cuts Obamacare subsidies for 189,000 with duplicate coverage.” Reuters.com, Reuters, 14 Oct. 2026, https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-government-cuts-subsidies-189000-obamacare-enrollees-2026-10-14/ . NABIP Files Lawsuit Over Moratorium on New ACA Agents: “Agent, broker group sues CMS to block ACA registration freeze.” Beckerspayer.com, Becker’s Payer, 16 Oct. 2026, https://www.beckerspayer.com/legal/agent-broker-group-sues-cms-to-block-aca-registration-freeze/ . “CMS Cracks Down on Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 22 Sep. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-cracks-down-fraud-waste-abuse-federal-health-insurance-marketplacer . “NABIP Seeks Injunctive Relief Against HHS and CMS Over Marketplace Moratorium Affecting Nearly 19,000 Agents and Brokers.” Nabip.org, National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals, 15 Oct. 2026, https://nabip.org/media/11423/cms-lawsuit_press-release_final_261015.pdf . “NABIP sues CMS over moratorium on new ACA broker registrations.” Fiercehealthcare.com, Fierce Healthcare, 15 Oct. 2026, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/nabip-sues-cms-over-moratorium-new-aca-broker-registrations . CMS Medicare Advantage Proposed Rule: “CMS Proposes Reforms to Strengthen Transparency and Affordability in Medicare Advantage and Part D.” cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 16 Oct. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-proposes-reforms-strengthen-transparency-affordability-medicare-advantage-part-d . “Fact Sheet: Medicare Program; Implementation of Sections 6219, 6220, and 6224 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (CMS-4214-P).” cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 16 Oct. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-program-implementation-sections-6219-6220-6224-consolidated-appropriations-act-2026-cms . “Medicare Program; Implementation of Sections 6219, 6220, and 6224 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.” Federalregister.gov, Federal Register, 20 Oct. 2026, https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-21420.pdf . 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/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

October 22, 20269 min

How a CHOICE Partnership Can Support ACA Sales

Learn more about Custom Health Option and Individual Care Expense (CHOICE) Arrangements. These healthcare options (formerly known as Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements or ICHRA) can be offered by agents and are increasing in popularity. Read the text version Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! 📧 Connect with our Under-65 Health Team to Get More Info on CHOICE Arrangements 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode 🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com . Resources: Getting Started Selling Group Ancillary Benefits ft. Max Ravenelle Insurance Agents Can Generate More Leads References: “CHOICE Arrangements: A Guide for Employers.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/employer-initiatives , Accessed 6 Oct. 2026. “Growth Trends for ICHRA & QSEHRA Volume Five: 2025-2026.” Hracouncil.org, HRA Council, https://www.hracouncil.org/resources/Documents/2026%20HRA%20Council%20Data%20Report%20-%20PDF%20Version.pdf , Accessed 6 Oct. 2026. “Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator.” Kff.org, KFF, https://www.kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/ , Accessed 6 Oct. 2026. 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/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

October 20, 202616 min

Learning from Lost Medicare Insurance Sales

Nothing hits (or hurts!) quite like a lost sale. While it’s easy to focus on the loss, we choose to focus on solutions. Find out how you can too, and make lost opportunities few and far between. Read the text version Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! 📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode 🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. Resources: 3 Additional Effective Techniques for Closing Insurance Sales 4 Effective Techniques for Closing Insurance Sales Developing an Agency – Your Guide to Getting Started Diversify Your Insurance Portfolio & Reap Real Rewards PlanEnroll Request a Portfolio Review The Ritter Platform The Ultimate Agent Resource List Pt. 3: Staying Organized Why Hiring an Assistant Can Transform Your Insurance Business References: “5 qualities effective sales leaders need to have + how to cultivate them for yourself” blog.hubspot.com, Hubspot, 3 Nov. 2025, https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/habits-to-become-a-more-effective-salesperson . “7 Active Listening Techniques for Better Communication.” Verywellmind.com, verywellmind, 14 Apr. 2026, https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-active-listening-3024343 . 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/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

October 17, 2026Episode 7439 min

How to Prevent Insurance Agent Negligence

As an insurance agent, remaining compliant is a top priority in order to prove that you’re trustworthy to your clients. Today, we’re going to be teaching you what to look out for to make sure you avoid agent negligence. Read the text version Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! 📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. Resources: Do's and Don'ts of Medicare Compliance Getting Started Selling Medicare Supplements The Complete Guide to Client Loyalty and Retention Why Trust Is an Insurance Agent's Most Important Non-Renewable Resource References: Insurance agent & broker negligence. Gump, Faiella & Bugalski. (2024, September 20). https://www.centralmolaw.com/services/other-practice-areas/insurance-agent-broker-negligence/ . McDuffy, T. (2025, October 20). Negligence and the “reasonable person” . FindLaw. https://www.findlaw.com/injury/accident-injury-law/standards-of-care-and-the-reasonable-person.html . National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.-a). Subpart V—Medicare Advantage Communication Requirements. Code of Federal Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-422/subpart-V . National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.-b). Subpart V—Part D Communication Requirements. Code of Federal Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-423/subpart-V . Understanding insurance broker negligence. Rah Law. (2023, December 14). https://www.rah.law/understanding-insurance-broker-negligence/ . What is insurance law?. Super Lawyers. (2025, October 8). https://www.superlawyers.com/resources/insurance-coverage/ . When do an insurance agent’s actions constitute negligence? Glickman & Glickman. (2025, September 29). https://www.glickman-law.com/blog/2025/09/when-do-an-insurance-agents-actions-constitute-negligence/ . 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/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

October 16, 202616 min

Integrity Launches ACA EDE in IntegrityCONNECT

The Friday Five for October 16, 2026: Apple “Welcome Home” Event & Rumors CMS 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings 2027 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Integrity Launches Ask Integrity Sales Coach Integrity Announces ACA EDE in IntegrityCONNECT Platform Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! 📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode 🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast 📰 Get Field Notes delivered to your inbox! 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. Apple “Welcome Home” Event & Rumors: “Apple Set to Debut Touch-Screen MacBook and New iPad Mini in Late October.” Bloomberg.com, Bloomberg, 8 Oct. 2026, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-10-08/apple-set-to-debut-touch-screen-macbook-and-new-ipad-mini-in-late-october . “Apple to Launch Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro and OLED iPad mini on October 27.” Macrumors.com, MacRumors, 8 Oct. 2026, https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/08/apple-october-27-macbook-pro/ . “Apple will reportedly debut its first touchscreen MacBook in three weeks.” Theverge.com, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026, https://www.theverge.com/tech/1008422/apple-macbook-pro-touchscreen-ipad-mini-rumor . “Everything Apple launched at its ‘Welcome Home’ event.” Theverge.com, The Verge, 13 Oct. 2026, https://www.theverge.com/tech/1009816/apple-smart-home-event-homeview-homepod-mini-roundup . “Meet Apple HomeView, a new way to enjoy entertainment, stay connected, and manage the home.” Apple.com, Apple, 13 Oct. 2026, https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/10/meet-apple-homeview-a-new-way-to-enjoy-entertainment-and-manage-the-home/ . CMS 2027 MA and Part D Star Ratings: “2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 8 Oct. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2027-medicare-advantage-part-d-star-ratings . “CMS: About 71% of MAPD plan enrollees in coverage with four or more stars for 2027.” Fiercehealthcare.com, Fierce Healthcare, 8 Oct. 2026, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/cms-about-71-mapd-plan-enrollees-coverage-four-or-more-stars-2027 . “CMS Part C and D Performance Data.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 8 Oct. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/medicare/health-drug-plans/part-c-d-performance-data . “Low-Performing Icon Definition.” Ecfr.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/part-422/section-422.166#p-422.166(h)(1)(ii)(A) . Accessed 12 Oct. 2026. 2027 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): “Consumer Price Index (CPI) Summary” bls.gov, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 14 Oct. 2026, https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm . “Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA).” Ssa.gov, Social Security Administration, https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/colasummary.html , Accessed 13 Oct. 2026. “Social Security Cost-Of-Living Adjustment For 2027 Arrives Wednesday—Here’s What To Know.” Forbes.com, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2026, https://www.forbes.com/sites/fionariley/2026/10/12/social-security-cost-of-living-adjustment-for-2027-arrives-wednesday-heres-what-to-know/ . “Social Security Announces 3.6 Percent Benefit Increase for 2027.” Ssa.gov, Social Security Administration, 14 Oct. 2026, https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/press/releases/2026-10-14.html . Integrity Launches Ask Integrity Sales Coach: Ask Integrity Sales Coach Health | NEW! AI Sales Coach Life | NEW! AI Sales Coach in IntegrityCONNECT Integrity Announces Affordable Care Act (ACA) Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) in IntegrityCONNECT: “Integrity Announces ACA in IntegrityCONNECT Platform, Transforming Agents' AI-Empowering Sales Offering.” Prnewswire.com, PR Newswire, 7 Oct. 2026, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/integrity-announces-aca-in-integrityconnect-platform-transforming-agents-ai-empowering-sales-offering-302900686.html . Integrity Events & Webinars On Demand Webinar: Health | ACA Success Starts Here: Quote, Compare, Enroll Webinar: Health | How to Manage the New ACA Requirements in IntegrityCONNECT 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/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

October 15, 2026Episode 7427 min

Rules for Hosting a Compliant Medicare Educational Event

Are you trying to plan a Medicare educational event, but you want to make sure you stay compliant? From agent do’s and don’ts to how to set up your educational event, we teach you how to do just that! Read the text version Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast ! 📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. Resources: Do's and Don'ts of Medicare Compliance FAQs & Guidelines on Compliant Medicare Marketing Materials How to Organize a Turning 65 Seminar on a Budget How to Stay Compliant During All Medicare Sales Rules for Hosting a Compliant Medicare Sales Event What Not to Say During Medicare Educational and Sales Events References: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024, September 10). Medicare Marketing Guidelines. CMS.gov. https://www.cms.gov/medicare/health-drug-plans/managed-care-marketing/medicare-guidelines National Archives and Records Administration. (n.d.). Federal register. Federal Register . https://www.federalregister.gov/ 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/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

October 15, 202615 min

Rules for Hosting a Compliant Medicare Sales Event

Sales events are a great way to generate Medicare leads. Learn best practices and how to stay CMS compliant while hosting a Medicare sales event in this episode! Read the text version Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! 📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode 🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast 📰 Get Field Notes delivered to your inbox! 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. Resources: CMS Improves Plan Transparency and Choice with 2027 MA and Part D Final Rule How to Host a Successful Medicare Sales Event How to Stay Compliant During All Medicare Sales Carrier Pages on Ritter Docs Rules for Hosting a Compliant Medicare Educational Event What Not to Say During Medicare Educational and Sales Events References: “Medicare Advantage Communication Requirements.” Federal Register, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-422/subpart-V . Accessed 26 Aug. 2026. “Medicare Part D Communication Requirements.” Federal Register, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-423/subpart-V . Accessed 26 Aug. 2026. “Medicare Marketing Guidelines.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/medicare/health-drug-plans/managed-care-marketing/medicare-guidelines . Accessed 26 Aug. 2026. 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/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

October 14, 2026Episode 7407 min

Understanding the ACA Marketplace Metal Tiers

When stepping into the ACA marketplace, you’ll obviously have a plethora of different plans to offer to your clients. What if we told you there was an easy way to break down the different types of plans you could be selling in hopes of helping your clients better understand what they’re buying into? In this episode of the Agent Survival Guide Podcast, we’ll be guiding your next sale to a podium finish by breaking down the ACA metal tiers! Read the text version Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! 📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode 🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. Resources: ACA 101: Selling Under-65 Health Insurance ACA in 2027: CMS Changes, Fraud Prevention & Identity Proofing ft. Arthur Barlow Understanding ACA Plan Metal Tiers References: Average monthly marketplace premiums by metal tier: KFF State Health Facts. KFF. (2025, November 3). https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/state-indicator/average-marketplace-premiums-by-metal-tier/?currentTimeframe=0&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22%3A%22Location%22%2C%22sort%22%3A%22asc%22%7D Health Insurance Marketplace. (n.d.-a). Health plan categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold, & Platinum. HealthCare.gov. https://www.healthcare.gov/choose-a-plan/plans-categories/ Lewis, B. E. (2026, March 25). What are the four metal tiers of Affordable Care Act Health Plans?. GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/insurance/aca/aca-tiers-of-coverage Quality ratings of health plans. HealthCare.gov. (n.d.-b). https://www.healthcare.gov/quality-ratings/ 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/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

October 13, 2026Episode 7416 min

Can Insurance Agents Charge Consulting Fees for Medicare Sales or Services?

We all know that MA Plans are non-commissionable, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be curious about making a sale. In this episode, we’ll be diving into payments and fees that can come with selling Medicare plans. Read the text version Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! 📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode 🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. Resources: 7 Actions You Can Take If Your Medicare Plans Go Non-Commissionable 8 Reasons Why Insurance Agents Should Sell ACA Plans ACA 101: Selling Under-65 Health Insurance A Quick Guide to Cross-Selling Ancillary Insurance with Medicare Products How to Explain the Real Cost of a Funeral & Help Your Clients Plan for One Selling Hospital Indemnity with Medicare Advantage: Is It Worth It? References: Alerion Advisors. (n.d.). Are brokers still in the crosshairs? policy and market updates for 2026. Rebellis Group. https://partners.rebellisgroup.com/download-webinar-are-brokers-still-in-the-crosshairs-policy-and-market-updates-for-2026 (2008, September 18). Part D Communication Requirements. Federal Register. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-423/subpart-V National Archives and Records Administration. (2005, January 28). Medicare Advantage program. Federal Register. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-422 Q2 impact report. NABIP. (n.d.). https://nabip.org/ 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/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

October 12, 20264 min

Q4 ACA Sales Calendar

Are you ready for go-time? In this episode of the Agent Survival Guide podcast, we're covering the 4th quarter and the essential details, dates, and what it means now that prep time is over. Read the text version Get Connected: 🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! 📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode 🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast 💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. Resources: 8 Reasons Why Insurance Agents Should Sell ACA Plans Busy ACA Agent’s Sales Calendar Everything You Need to Know About the ACA OEP Federal Judge Strikes Down ACA Marketplace Rule Provisions Free Guides Guiding Your Clients from the Marketplace to Medicare References: Norris, Louise. “What Are the Deadlines for the ACA’s Open Enrollment Period?” Healthinsurance.Org, 10 Aug. 2026, www.healthinsurance.org/faqs/what-are-the-deadlines-for-the-acas-open-enrollment-period/ . 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/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social Opinions expressed by interview guests are their own and not representative of Ritter Insurance Marketing or Integrity. The Agent Survival Guide Podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.