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

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:

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