Agent Survival Guide Podcast

So you want to start selling Medicare Advantage plans, but you aren't sure what kind of clients to look for? No problem. In our newest episode, we break down some of the characteristics of what one of your ideal clients may look like.     Get Connected:

Whether you're starting your own insurance agency or have been at it for awhile, it's important to make sure you're not getting in your own way. On this episode of the Agent Survival Guide, we'll share some key tips that can put you and your agency on the path to success.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

The Friday Five for August 28, 2026: Still time to register for Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits Medicare & ACA certification update for August 28, 2026 There's more to gastrointestinal distress recovery than BRAT Ritter & Integrity Solutions for Industry Disruption in 2027 IntegrityCONNECT Now Quotes Medicare Supplement   Ways to Connect:

When you picture the typical Medicare client, you most likely picture someone who is enjoying the golden years of retirement. However, there are many people who have aged into Medicare that are still a part of the workforce. In this episode of the Agent Survival Guide Podcast, we help agents like you navigate how to sell plans to clients who are still employed.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

Keeping your clients coming back is crucial to the success of your insurance business. But how often should we reach out to clients? How do we reach out without being annoying? Where do we start? If you've ever asked these questions, don't miss the ASG Podcast interview with Bjorn Piltingsrud and Andrew Saksa from Essential Engine!   Resources: Essential Engine Official Website Listen to Marketing MindFuel Reach out to Andrew Saksa at Essential Engine Schedule a Meeting with Mel Binford from Essential Engine   References: Lindenfors, Patrik, et al. “‘Dunbar's Number' Deconstructed.” Pmc.Ncbi.Nih.Gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2021, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8103230/. “Dunbar's number: Why we can only maintain 150 relationships.” Bbc.com, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20191001-dunbars-number-why-we-can-only-maintain-150-relationships, Accessed 2 June 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.

Procrastination happens to the best of us… Sarah included! Don't miss her tips for booking your ticket out of this liminal space and onto the next part of your journey.   Get Connected:

The Friday Five for August 21, 2026: Register to Attend Ritter Summits Apple Devices Rumored for Fall 2026 Spotify Announces PlayList Notes Journaling for Personal Development MyChart Medicare Kit Scam   Get Connected:

The insurance business moves fast, so the best time to start building trust is before your services are needed. A great example of this is a Turning 65 Seminar, where you cover what client need to know when becoming Medicare-eligible. In this episode of the Agent Survival Guide Podcast, we cover the how you can effectively plan and hold a T65 event on any budget.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

Misconceptions about insurance can sometimes get in the way of both the agent selling the plans and the client who is browsing the insurance market. In this episode of the Agent Survival Guide Podcast, we're here to help you decode the facts from the fiction.   Read the text version    Get Connected:

The Friday Five for August 14, 2026: Certification Updates 8/14/2026 New CMS Identity Proofing & Agent Authorization Rules Mark Zuckerberg's AI Manifesto CMS to Remove Xeljanz from Selected Drug List KFF Study on Medicare Spending Trends   Get Connected:

In this episode of the Agent Survival Guide podcast, we teach agents five unique ways to help them find new clients in the insurance world. While most agents would think of your typical ways to find new sales, we're teaching them how to make waves and stand out in the crowd.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

Now that you've completed your FFM certification, what's next? Continue your learning with our list of resources! Launch into ACA sales by increasing your knowledge of the marketplace. In this episode, we'll teach you what you need to know about selling Affordable Care Act plans.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

The Friday Five for August 7, 2026: ACA 2027 Certification Updates CY2027 ACA Premium Rate Filings So Far CMS 2027 Medicare Part D Bid Information 2027 Medicare Part B Cost Projections 2027 COLA Estimate   Get Connected:

If you're thinking about becoming an insurance agent, you may be thinking about what can come along with the career change? What are some of the perks you might discover, and what downsides could sneak up on you? in this episode of The Agent Survival Guide Podcast, we help you weigh the good of becoming an insurance agent against the bad.    Read the text version    Get Connected:

Heard any of these myths about selling ACA plans? We're debunking the rumors and delivering facts on ACA insurance sales. Listen as we set the record straight here on the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!   Read the text version   Get Connected:

Life stage changes bring opportunities to talk with your clients about their coverage. Bobby Nerum and Danica Stover explain how leveraging this strategy adds real value to client interactions. Even better? They explain how naturally agents can cross-sell both life and under-65 health insurance through every stage of life.   Visit the Life & Annuities Resource Center   Get Connected:

The Friday Five for July 31, 2026: RegEd CE Courses Available on IntegrityCONNECT Fresh Take on Social Platforms: ThingsBook Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Reminder CMS Files Appeal to Clover Decision CMS & HHS File Expedited Appeal to Colombus I   Get Connected:

After becoming an insurance agent, there might be some difficulty deciding what types of insurance to sell. In this episode, we break down the positives of selling Medicare insurance and what makes the market so fulfilling!   Read the text version   Get Connected: 

Referrals are a powerful lead generating tool, especially for insurance agents! Find out more in this explainer on referral marketing how to implement this strategy into your insurance business.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

Out-of-pocket exposure is an important component in Medicare coverage conversations. In this episode, learn which costs factor into the OOP equation and help your clients make more educated decisions.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

When your client has diabetes, what does (and doesn't) Medicare cover? We talk about how diabetes treatments, supplies, and services are covered by the different parts of Medicare so you can help your clients know what to expect.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

The Friday Five for July 17, 2026: A New Way to Read Classic Books, Speeches, & Essays What We've Been Reading Meta Pulls Instagram Muse Image Feature The Bipartisan Social Security Commission Act of 2026 (H.R. 9187) ACA Preliminary Rate Filings & What Agents Can Do in the Meantime   Get Connected:

In the insurance industry, if your job begins and ends with meeting clients and selling insurance, you're missing out on opportunities. In this episode, we're exploring what empowerment is and how it can help embed you in your community for long-lasting and valuable partnerships. Read the text version  

Are your expectations grounded in reality? Or, are you setting yourself up for disappointment? Goals are great, smart goals are even better, but we often equate goals with expectations and wind up frustrated when the two don't match up. Listen to learn how to avoid the pitfall of unrealistic expectations and the actions you can take instead.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

Don't miss the details on 2027 ACA Certification for the Federal Marketplace and State-Based Exchanges! We cover training deadlines, continuing education creds, and recertification requirements! Read the text version   Get Connected:

The Friday Five for July 10, 2026: Halfway Through 2026 Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits Musings on Artificial Intelligence CDC High Heat & Medication Guidance Scam Targeting Insurance Agents  

Have you ever had a client mistake Medicare and Medicaid (or have you mixed the two up)? In this episode of the Agent Survival Guide podcast, we're comparing, contrasting, and clarifying how these two government-funded programs differ and how they work together!   Read the text version   Get Connected:

Did you know that CMS estimates three million Medicare beneficiaries aren't enrolled in the government's Medicare Extra Help program but could benefit from it? In this episode of the Agent Survival Guide, we see what this program is and how it can help your clients.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

The 3rd quarter of each year is an essential period of time for preparing yourself. Before the ACA Open Enrollment is upon us, know the details, the dates, and the key prep steps with this episode of the Agent Survival Guide.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

Q3 has arrived and preparations for AEP 2027 are starting. Listen to find out what agents selling Medicare should focus on during this time of year.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

The Friday Five for June 26, 2026: Certification Resources for Agents Dunkin & Starbucks Summer Part 2 America 250 Semiquincentennial Student Loan Repayment Update Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Demonstration Webinar   Register to Attend Integrity's Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Demonstration Webinar   Get Connected:

Here are the top five insurance products you should be looking to sell during the Medicare lock-in period. The insurance industry never stops moving. Make sure you know the products to keep your business moving along with it.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

Keep track of your AEP prep to-do checklist with help from Ritter's certification resources! Listen to find out how to access AHIP, NABIP, carrier MA and PDP certification, product training details, and more! Read the text version   Get Connected:

The Friday Five for June 19, 2026: Certification for AEP 2027 Coming June 22 Microsoft Teams Location Tracking Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Starts July 1 CMS to Codify Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Federal Judge Vacates Several CMS ACA Provisions   Get Connected:

Listen as we explore why community-based marketing is becoming more popular and how insurance agents can get started. This strategy is a great way for agents to grow their business just by getting involved in your local community.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

This episode of the Agent Survival Guide podcast explores 5-Star Medicare Advantage plans. We'll break down what they are, how they became 5-star plans, and why you can sell them throughout the year!   Read the text version   Get Connected:

The Friday Five for June 12, 2026: Apple WWDC 2026 Takeaways Instagram Grid Arrangement Feature IntegrityCONNECT Annuities & What's Coming Soon KFF MA Enrollment Stats & Trends for 2026 CMS Medicaid Work Requirements   Get Connected:

Learn more about the NABIP Medicare Advantage Certification. This program is another way agents can satisfy their Medicare & Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training requirements.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

Transform your thinking, transform your insurance business. Find out how daily affirmations can be a gamechanger for your agency and yourself, personally!   Read the text version   Get Connected:

Licensed-Only Agents (LOAs) can help scale your insurance agency growth. But are they right for your insurance business? Listen to find out!   Read the text version   Get Connected:

The Friday Five for June 5, 2026: Certification Reminder Pod Rec: Before Breakfast TRICARE Resources for Agents Clover Health Star Ratings 2027 MA and Part D Max Commissions   Get Connected:

Learn more about AHIP requirements, how certification works for insurance agents, and more! Don't stress - we've got plenty of tips to help you survive certification and the start of AEP prep season.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

Ready to grow your insurance business? Great! Not sure where to start? Listen for our road map! We outline 6 steps to take when you want to make the jump from agent to agency.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

The 2027 Marketplace Final Rule from CMS is here! Join Sarah as she pulls out takeaways for insurance agents selling ACA plans.   Get Connected:

Ready to close sales with confidence? Sharpen your sales skills with three more closing techniques for insurance agents.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

In this episode of the Agent Survival Guide, we'll walk through four effective strategies that you can use to help close an insurance sale. We'll teach you which technique is most effective in certain scenarios and the traits you should strive for to make any close more successful.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

The Friday Five for May 15, 2026: Field Notes: Camp Ritter The “Spotify 20: Your Party of the Year(s)” TRICARE Transition from DS Logon to myAuth Scammers Using Meta to Target Seniors Introducing the Integrity Health Plan   Get Connected:

Don't miss our brand-new series we're calling Content Corner! Listen as we discuss the newest Content Library materials from Ritter Insurance Marketing - Fundamentals of Senior Finances. Keep listening for our conversation on recent internet trends and how to position them for your business marketing efforts.   Check Out the Fundamentals of Senior Finances from Ritter's Content Library   Get Connected:

Check out Ritter Insurance Marketing's Content Library for a simple way to Educate, Entertain, and Retain your clients. In this episode, we cover what the Content Library is, what it offers, and why you should be using it today! Read the text version   Get Connected:

Not sure how to scale your business sustainably? We walk through specific equations agents and agencies can use (and tweak!) depending on how you'd like to grow.   Read the text version   Get Connected:

The Friday Five for May 8, 2026: Quick Hits & Headlines CMS Admin Dr. Oz on Prior Auth Audio to Help You Sleep Cigna to Exit ACA for CY 2027 AHIP & NABIP Dates for CY 2027   Get Connected: