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

Friday Nov 07, 2025
5 Ways to Survive Enrollment Season 2026
Friday Nov 07, 2025
Friday Nov 07, 2025
Feeling frustrated this enrollment season? This episode is for you! We’ve got some ideas to help you take a break, take care, and make it through AEP and OEP.
Get Connected:
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Turn Self-Care Into a Game with the Finch App:
“Finch: Self-Care Pet - Apps on Google Play.” Google, www.play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.finch.finch. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
“Finch: Self-Care Pet App.” App Store, 7 Dec. 2024, www.apps.apple.com/us/app/finch-self-care-pet/id1528595748.
“Your New Self-Care Best Friend.” Finch, www.finchcare.com/. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
‘Tis the Season for Holiday Flavors at Dunkin’ & Starbucks:
“Celebrate the season: Starbucks Holiday Menu Returns Nov. 6 with Festive Drinks, Cups and Treats.” About Starbucks, www.about.starbucks.com/stories/2025/celebrate-the-season-starbucks-holiday-menu-returns-nov-6-with-festive-drinks-cups-and-treats/. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
“Dunkin’® Unwraps the Holidays with New Cookie Butter Cloud Latte, Berry Sangria Refresher and Bacon Jam Creations.” Dunkin’, 5 Nov. 2025, www.news.dunkindonuts.com/news/holiday-menu-2025.
“Dutch Bros® Cranks up the Cheer with 2025 Holiday Menu.” Dutch Bros® Cranks Up the Cheer with 2025 Holiday Menu | Dutch Bros, www.dutchbros.com/news-events/holiday-2025-drink-menu/. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
“Starbucks Holiday Menu Returns Nov. 6.” About Starbucks, www.about.starbucks.com/stories/2025/starbucks-holiday-menu-returns-nov-6/. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
“Starbucks Unveils Joyful Holiday Beverages: Starbucks Stories Asia.” About Starbucks, www.stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2025/starbucks-unveils-joyful-holiday-beverages/. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Dictation Goes Modern with Sandbar’s Stream Ring:
Evans, Courtney. “Ex-Meta Founders Launch Smart Ring for Music & Notes.” CEO Today, 5 Nov. 2025, www.ceotodaymagazine.com/2025/11/ex-meta-smart-ring-music-voice-notes/.
Werth, Timothy Beck. “Former Meta Employees Launch Sandbar, a New Smart Ring Brand.” Mashable, Mashable, 5 Nov. 2025, www.mashable.com/article/meta-employees-launch-smart-ring-sandbar.
Mehta, Ivan. “Former Meta Employees Launch Stream, a Smart Ring That Takes Voice Notes and Controls Music.” TechCrunch, 5 Nov. 2025, www.techcrunch.com/2025/11/05/former-meta-employees-launch-stream-a-smart-ring-that-takes-voice-notes-and-controls-music/.
“Stream Ring: A Voice-First Ring for Capturing Thoughts and Building Ideas.” Sandbar, www.sandbar.com/. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Chokkattu, Julian. “Whisper into This AI-Powered Smart Ring to Organize Your Thoughts.” Wired, Conde Nast, 5 Nov. 2025, www.wired.com/story/sandbar-stream-smart-ring/.
Google Maps Adds Landmarks & More AI Capabilities:
Mehta, Ivan. “Google Maps Bakes in Gemini to Improve Navigation and Hands-Free Use.” TechCrunch, 5 Nov. 2025, www.techcrunch.com/2025/11/05/google-maps-bakes-in-gemini-to-improve-navigation-and-hands-free-use/.
Moore, Amanda Leicht. “Google Maps Navigation Gets a Powerful Boost with Gemini.” Google, Google, 5 Nov. 2025, www.blog.google/products/maps/gemini-navigation-features-landmark-lens/.
“Google Maps Is Getting More Hands-Free for When You’re Driving.” CNET, www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/google-maps-is-getting-more-hands-free-for-when-youre-driving/. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Field Notes on the Longest Government Shutdown Ever:
Solendar, Andrew, and Kate Santaliz. “A Group of House Democrats and Republicans Is Floating a Plan to End the Shutdown.” AXIOS, www.axios.com/2025/11/03/shutdown-aca-tax-credits-democrats-republicans. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
“Bacon, Suozzi, Hurd, Gottheimer Release Bipartisan Principles to Temporarily Extend and Reform Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premium Tax Credits.” U.S. Congressman Don Bacon, 3 Nov. 2025, www.bacon.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2805.
Gringlas, Sam. “How an Enduring Debate over Healthcare Sparked a Now Record-Long Shutdown.” NPR, 5 Nov. 2025, www.npr.org/2025/11/05/nx-s1-5596472/government-shutdown-record-health-care-subsidies.
Beavins, Emma, et al. “How the Shutdown Impacts Healthcare: Legislators Float Bipartisan Plan to Extend, Reform Aca Tax Credits.” Fierce Healthcare, www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/shutdown-tracker-cms-issues-billing-guidance-hhs-furloughs-32000-employees. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Recently Published Episodes:
5 Real-Life Medicare Sales Scenarios & How to Handle Them
Content Library: Cooking for Beginners ft. Jeff Snyder
How Insurance Agents Can Use AI Tools
How Storytelling Helps Agents Quickly Connect with Clients ft. Don Connelly
Stress Relief Tips to Get You Through AEP
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.
Episode Transcript:
Welcome to the Agent Survival Guide Podcast Friday Five, which is either our weekly recap of what happened this week that agents should know about. Or in the case of this week, 5 items focusing on a particular theme.
I’m your host, Sarah Rueppel, and this week, we are talking about dealing with burnout, getting off the struggle bus, or to put it more eloquently, 5 ways to survive AEP 2026 even when everything feels like a dumpster on fire floating down the river with a smile on our face to mask the reality.
It’s been a rough enrollment season so far with all the changes and disruption going on. I know that it can feel like a lot, I certainly don’t want to sugarcoat that. What I do want to do, is talk about some solutions to help you take a break from the burnout, refresh, and make sure you’re taking care of yourself amidst all the commotion.
So let’s start with that last one, making sure you take care of yourself, and in true ASG Podcast fashion, we’re going to turn to an app, because we love technology. But we also love gamifying tasks because it adds a layer of fun and rewards you for doing things that you know you should be doing anyway, but sometimes we don’t do them because we’re too busy.
That’s where the Finch Self-Care Pet app can help.
The app is designed to gamify self-care and getting stuff done, across a range of categories, like self-kindness, calm, gratitude, productivity, and more.
Every user gets a little animal called a birb to take care of. It looks like a little bird. As you cross things off your to-do lists and keep checking back in, your birb grows and learns. It hatches micropets of its own. And you earn in-game currency called rainbow stones to purchase clothing for your birb, furniture for your birb’s room, and tickets to travel to new locations.
You decide what you want to achieve in a day, and you can place items in categories, or keep them uncategorized. As more time goes on, you’ll be able to gain insight from your habits, identifying which ones you’re really good at accomplishing, and which others need more work, and might need to be prioritized a little bit more.
And one thing in particular I love, is that you can add friends on the app.
Almost immediately after downloading Finch and trying it out, I thought it could be a great way to help my daughter establish daily routines and reward her for completing tasks.
We’ve been using it together for almost a month, and so far, we still both really like it. She has other friends from school that use it, and I’ve mentioned it to the team here, with some coworkers also downloading it and giving it a try.
We’ll be linking to the learn more about Finch page in the episode notes, so if you’re looking for a way to accomplish your to-dos while also taking care of yourself, or you’re trying to teach your child how to do that, I can’t recommend this app enough.
Number Four.
I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t be able to function without caffeine, and sometimes, stopping for a treat from either Starbucks or Dunkin’ is necessary.
Or maybe you just need to switch up your order with a new seasonal, limited-edition flavor. You are in luck because pumpkin spice has officially taken a backseat to peppermint mocha and its holiday friends!
Wednesday marked the beginning of the holiday menu’s return to Dunkin, and Starbucks hauled out the holly yesterday.
While I definitely identify as a Starbucks fan, I have to say that the Dunkin’ holiday cups feature super cute graphics that are very much channeling schoolhouse rock.
Peppermint Mocha everything and the Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte are back for the season. New offerings include the Berry Sangria refresher the Cookie Butter Cloud Latte.
Dunkin Refreshers can be mixed with either green tea, black tea, lemonade, or sparkling water, the latter of which is always my go-to. And then the Cookie Butter Cloud Latte pairs the creamy sweetness of a latte topped with Cookie Butter cold foam and cookie crumbles. I think I’d enjoy the cold foam and crumbles on a cold brew or iced coffee, but if made according to the menu, I think it’ll be too sweet for me.
Over at Starbucks, Peppermint Mocha returns along with Toffee Nut Crunch and Gingerbread Latte. I’m a huge fan of the Gingerbread flavored ground coffee, so I’m very excited for all things Gingerbread.
New this year is the hazelnut praline mille-feuille oatmilk latte, and I’m going to be honest, I’m glad I order on the app most of the time, because I wouldn’t want to have to say the name of that drink out loud in line. It sounds so precocious.
Also, I’m more of a cold brew fan, so if that’s you as well, there are a few seasonal cold foams joining the menu. Gingerbread Cream, Peppermint Chocolate, Sugar Cookie Cream, and Caramel Brûlée Cream.
And if you’re lucky enough to have a Dutch Bros near you, they’ve had their holiday menu up and running since November 1st. Returning there, the candy cane mocha, which is their version of a peppermint mocha topped with crushed candy canes. They brought back the Hazelnut Truffle Mocha. And new this year, the Holiday Cookie Freeze which blends vanilla, sweet cream, and sprinkles, and then the mistletoe rebel which is the Dutch Bros energy drink blend mixed with raspberry and pomegranate.
Fun fact before we move on to our next topic, this week, we polled our marketing team on the official start date of the Holiday season. November first was the clear front-runner, which might be a hot take to some, or just an indicator that we have a lot of holiday spirit here at Ritter.
Number Three.
Sometimes, what your brain needs is a good old-fashioned distraction. For me, this usually means scrolling through the news, which led me to a very cool AI device that I will likely be adding to my Christmas wishlist - the Stream Ring from Sandbar.
The ring houses a small microphone for users to speak into throughout the day, essentially creating your own voice log. It also features a button that the company calls a mouse for voice, holding it to speak, and then tapping it to pause, return to music playback, and even control volume.
What you dictate into the ring is sent to the Stream app and converted into text, so you can capture thoughts on the fly, and then go back to read them on the Stream app.
I’ve always liked the idea of dictating notes, but not the idea of going back and listening to them or transcribing them. This combination of wearable and app takes a lot of friction out of that process, making a compelling and useful new tool.
The price point is set at two hundred forty-nine dollars for the silver ring and two hundred ninety-nine dollars for the gold version.
The Stream app has a free tier with unlimited notes but limited chats, The Pro version allows for unlimited interactions and early features for ten dollars a month. Each ring gets a three-month free subscription to the pro version to try it out.
Might seem like a super simple AI wearable, but I think this practical approach might see success where other AI wearables have failed. It would be nice if health monitoring benefits were included, but you have to start somewhere. I’m very curious to see how this wearable performs when it does become available, I’m not sure I’d jump on the preorder, but I’m also not sure that I won’t. Stay tuned.
Moving on to Number Two.
If you are a Google Maps user, good news! There are a few updates coming to the app, one that actually took me back to a fun exercise from the Technical Writing class I took in college.
Gemini AI has been more deeply integrated into the app, so navigation can now be truly hands-free. Users can ask questions and add conversational follow-up questions and get answers, all without touching your device.
You’ll also be able to report issues like roadwork or an accident by voice, rather than tapping a display screen. That’s super helpful, and the more people that are able to report those disruptions, the better the experience for all commuters.
Users will also be notified about upcoming issues even if you’re not actively navigating. This is a feature that Waze recently implemented, glad to see it coming to Google Maps as well. I enjoy having the map up on my screen, but if I’m listening to something, I don’t want turn-by-turn instructions interrupting my drive unless there’s something to be concerned about.
Google Maps has also added Lens capability to identify nearby landmarks and answer questions about them.
Landmarks will also now play a role in the directions you’ll hear while driving.
So back in my Technical Writing class, one of our in-class exercises was to write down directions on how to get to a destination. It was an exercise designed to highlight the proper order of directions, while also adding specific information, rather than obtuse observations.
So, instead of telling someone to turn left at the tree that looks like a dinosaur, you’d tell them they’ll see Riley’s Restaurant, and make a right just after the restaurant.
Google Maps will now do the same thing, you’ll see landmarks highlighted on your map and hear the voice direction telling you to turn right after Riley’s Restaurant. So, it follows the same pattern of order, but gives users both a visual and voice instruction.
This is something I find super-helpful when I’m navigating a new area, because as much as I appreciate a countdown in the number of feet before a turn, 300 feet feels different depending on the speed you’re traveling at.
And now, coming in at Number One this week:
Make sure you’re following along with our show to stay as updated as possible on what’s going on in the industry. We’re usually tracking quite a few different stories, one of the biggest right now, the current thirty-eight day government shutdown, which is now the longest shutdown in the history of the United States.
We are monitoring this so closely, not because we love the politics around any of this, actively do not love that, but there are issues that affect agents and your clients.
Democrats have so far held their ground on reopening the government, calling for an extension to be made on the enhanced premium tax credits set to expire at the end of 2025.
Some republicans are voicing concerns from their own constituents on the subject of subsidies. And then there are things like SNAP benefits and other government resources that are affected by the shutdown because of furloughs and a lack of funding.
What I choose to focus on here, is that there are people on both sides of Congress who really are trying to have conversations and find ways to compromise, even if it seems like no one wants to report on that.
Earlier this week, FierceHealthcare and Axios both reported on a bipartisan proposal that seeks a two-year extension as well as other considerations. I won’t call out the exact details of that proposal here, because they’ll likely change between now and any sort of implementation.
But I do want to quote the statement put out by the representatives who put together that proposal, quote, “Congress is gridlocked, and too many Americans have lost faith that we can work together. But here’s the truth: Democrats and Republicans can sit down, listen to one another and find common ground, especially when it comes to lowering healthcare costs. We may not agree on every ideal outcome, but we’ve identified a fair, reasonable path forward on the future of the Affordable Care Act’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits. Compromise isn’t rocket science and it shouldn’t be treated like a weakness,” end quote.
And I’m going to read that one more time because of how much I like it, quote, “compromise isn’t rocket science and it shouldn’t be treated like a weakness,” end quote.
The statement and proposal came from Don Bacon, Tom Suozzi, Jeff Hurd, and Josh Gottheimer, and I don’t think I’m alone when I say that I hope other members of Congress are listening and willing to start those conversations.
We’ll continue to track this story and report back with developments.
Again, make sure you’re following along with us for help staying upbeat and motivated during this time, help taking a break and stepping back from things for a minute to take care of yourself, and of course, important industry updates, like whether or not the subsidies will be extended for coverage year 2026.
That being said, I hope you have a great weekend, stay healthy and stay safe out there, and don’t forget to take some time for yourself this weekend. You deserve it! We’ll see you next week.

Friday Oct 24, 2025
Ask Integrity Plan Insights
Friday Oct 24, 2025
Friday Oct 24, 2025
The Friday Five for October 24, 2025:
Field Notes & Countdown to OEP
OpenAI Announces ChatGPT Atlas
Apple Beta Updates for Liquid Glass
ACA Premiums & Tax Credits Status Check
Ask Integrity Plan Insights
Get Connected:
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
OpenAI Announces ChatGPT Atlas:
Rogers, Reece. “OpenAI’s Atlas Browser Takes Direct Aim at Google Chrome.” Wired.Com, Wired, 21 Oct. 2025, www.wired.com/story/openai-atlas-browser-chrome-agents-web-browsing/.
Babu, Juby, and Krystal Hu. “OpenAI Launches AI Browser Atlas in Latest Challenge to Google.” Reuters.Com, Reuters, www.reuters.com/technology/openai-unveils-ai-browser-atlas-2025-10-21/. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
O’Brien, Matt, and Michael Liedtke. “OpenAI Launches Atlas Browser to Compete with Google Chrome.” Apnews.Com, AP News, 21 Oct. 2025, apnews.com/article/openai-atlas-web-browser-chatgpt-google-ai-f59edaa239aebe26fc5a4a27291d717a.
Capoot, Ashley. “OpenAI Unveils CHATGPT Atlas Browser, Sending Alphabet Shares Lower.” CNBC.Com, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025, www.cnbc.com/2025/10/21/openai-browser-alphabet-stock.html.
Fried, Ina. “What to Know about Atlas, OpenAI’s New Web Browser.” Axios.Com, Axios, www.axios.com/2025/10/21/openai-atlas-what-to-know. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Apple Beta Updates for Liquid Glass:
Clover, Juli. “iOS 26.1 Beta 4 Lets Users Control Liquid Glass Transparency with New Toggle.” Macrumors.Com, MacRumors, 20 Oct. 2025, www.macrumors.com/2025/10/20/ios-26-1-liquid-glass-toggle/.
Peters, Jay. “Apple Adds a New Toggle to Make Liquid Glass Less Glassy.” Theverge.Com, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2025, www.theverge.com/news/802963/apple-liquid-glass-ios-26-1-beta-tint-option.
Cunningham, Andrew. “Upcoming iOS and macOS 26.1 Update Will Let You Fog up Your Liquid Glass.” Arstechnica.Com, Ars Technica, 21 Oct. 2025, arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/10/new-ios-and-macos-betas-add-tinted-toggle-to-tone-down-liquid-glass/.
ACA Premiums & Tax Credits Status Check:
Ortaliza, Jared, Matt McGough, Kaitlyn Vu, Imani Telesford, Shameek Rakshit, Emma Wager Twitter, et al. “How Much and Why ACA Marketplace Premiums Are Going up in 2026.” Healthsystemtracker.Org, KFF, 6 Aug. 2025, www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/how-much-and-why-aca-marketplace-premiums-are-going-up-in-2026/.
“How Much More Would People Pay in Premiums If the ACA’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expire?” KFF.Org, KFF, 17 Oct. 2025, www.kff.org/interactive/how-much-more-would-people-pay-in-premiums-if-the-acas-enhanced-subsidies-expired/.
“Is It Too Late for ACA Insurers to Change Their Premiums?” KFF.Org, KFF, 8 Oct. 2025, www.kff.org/quick-take/is-it-too-late-for-aca-insurers-to-change-their-premiums/.
Ask Integrity Plan Insights:
Get Started with IntegrityCONNECT
Integrity Transformational AI-Powered Plan Insights
Learn more about Ask Integrity
Resources:
How an ICHRA Partnership Can Support ACA Sales
How Insurance Agents Can Use AI Tools
How Storytelling Helps Agents Quickly Connect with Clients ft. Don Connelly
Optimize Your Online Presence ft. Aaron Kassover
The Medicare Telehealth 2025 Changes Insurance Agents Need to Know
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.

Friday Oct 17, 2025
AEP 2026 Kickoff
Friday Oct 17, 2025
Friday Oct 17, 2025
The Friday Five for October 17, 2025:
Social Security 2026 COLA delayed
Meet Rust-Out; the apathetic cousin of Burnout
Instagram Goes PG-13 for Teens 13-17
A Chat with Jake McGeoy for our Maryland Agents
eHealth Medicare AEP Consumer Insights Survey
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.
Social Security 2026 COLA delayed:
September 2025 CPI Release Rescheduled
Meet Rustout; the apathetic cousin of Burnout
Forget Burnout: 5 Clear Signs You're Suffering From Rust-Out
Rust-Out and Burnout: Steps You Can Take to Overcome Them at Work
Rust Out - The warning signs and what to do about them
What is 'rust out' and are you experiencing it?
Instagram Goes PG-13 for Teens 13-17:
Instagram Teen Accounts Will Be Guided by PG-13 Ratings
Instagram to bring in version of PG-13 system to protect children, says Meta
Instagram Will Limit Content for Teenagers Based on PG-13 Ratings
Instagram will now be PG-13 for teens with Meta’s latest update
Motion Picture Association Film Ratings
A Chat with Jake McGeory for our Maryland Agents:
Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Team in Your Region
eHealth Medicare AEP Consumer Insights Survey
Resources:
How Storytelling Helps Agents Quickly Connect with Clients ft. Don Connelly
What Agents Forget to Do When Preparing for Appointments
Where It All Begins: Obtaining Permission to Contact for Medicare Sales
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.

Friday Oct 10, 2025
5 Days ‘Til AEP 2026
Friday Oct 10, 2025
Friday Oct 10, 2025
The Friday Five for October 10, 2025:
Medicare Telehealth in Limbo
Potential Delay for 2026 COLA?
Public Support for Extending ACA Subsidies
FFM Certification Now Available
5 Days Until AEP 2026
Get Connected:
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Medicare Telehealth in Limbo:
Beavins, Emma. “Hospitals, Doctors Face Virtual Care Cliff with Telehealth, Hospital at Home Services on the Line.” Fierce Healthcare, 29 Oct. 2025, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/telehealth-hospital-home-deadlines-approach-no-funding-deal-sight.
Miller, Marika. “Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities: Countdown to September 30, 2025.” Foley & Lardner LLP, 11 Sept. 2025, https://www.foley.com/insights/publications/2025/09/medicare-telehealth-flexibilities-countdown-to-september-30-2025/.
Jackson, Marshall E., et al. “Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities Expire: Immediate Impacts and next Steps.” McDermott Will & Schulte, 1 Oct. 2025, https://www.mwe.com/insights/medicare-telehealth-flexibilities-expire-immediate-impacts-and-next-steps/.
Konish, Lorie. “Social Security Cola for 2026: How Federal Government Shutdown May Affect Announcement.” CNBC, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/09/social-security-cola-2026-benefit-increase.html.
Blake, Suzanne, and Gabe Whisnant. “Social Security Update: Government Shutdown Will Delay Major Announcement.” Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025, https://www.newsweek.com/social-security-update-government-shutdown-2026-sola-10842238.
“US Government Shutdown Will Delay Social Security 2026 Cola Announcement | Reuters.” Reuters, 7 Oct. 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-government-shutdown-will-delay-social-security-2026-cola-announcement-2025-10-07/.
Public Support for Extending ACA Subsidies:
Sparks, Grace, et al. “KFF Health Tracking Poll: Public Weighs Political Consequences of Health Policy Legislation.” KFF, 3 Oct. 2025, https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/kff-health-tracking-poll-public-weighs-political-consequences-of-health-policy-legislation/.
FFM Certification Now Available:
2026 ACA Exchange & FFM Certification Info
Ritter Insurance Marketing Resources for AEP & Beyond:
Contact our Ritter Sales Team
Content Library
eBooks & Guides for Insurance Agents
Events & Webinars for Insurance Agents
Knight School
Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing
Ritter Blog
Ritter Carrier Pages
Ritter Docs
Surviving AEP Resource List
Surviving OEP Resource List
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.

Friday Oct 03, 2025
2026 Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Premiums
Friday Oct 03, 2025
Friday Oct 03, 2025
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:
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Resources:
2025 MA Enrollment Stats & Trends
Announcing the Launch of IntegrityCONNECT
Can Insurance Agents Charge Medicare Consultation Fees?
Judge Vacates HHS MA Commissions Lawsuit
Optimize Your Online Presence ft. Aaron Kassover
Risk Adjustment & Finding Value Beyond Coding Changes ft. Dr. Shannon Decker
Surviving AEP with Ritter Insurance Marketing
The Fight for ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits
The Survivor’s AEP Checklist
What Agents Can't Say During Medicare Sales Appointments
What Can MAPD Insurance Agents Do Prior to AEP?
References:
“2026 MA and Part D Landscape State Fact Sheet.” CMS.Gov, www.cms.gov/files/document/2026-ma-part-d-landscape-state-state-fact-sheet.pdf. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
“Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs Expected to Remain Stable in 2026.” CMS.Gov, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/medicare-advantage-medicare-prescription-drug-programs-expected-remain-stable-2026. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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.

Monday Sep 29, 2025
Risk Adjustment & Finding Value Beyond Coding Changes ft. Dr. Shannon Decker
Monday Sep 29, 2025
Monday Sep 29, 2025
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 affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.

Friday Sep 26, 2025
The Fight for ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits
Friday Sep 26, 2025
Friday Sep 26, 2025
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:
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Ritter Resources:
Connect with Your Sales Rep
Download eBooks and Guides
Read the Ritter Blog
Register for Events and Webinars
Surviving AEP
New D-SNP Client Resources:
D-SNP Benefit Eligibility Client Letter
D-SNP Client Doctor, Provider, and Prescription Checklist
Hacking Your Social Media Algorithm:
“Hacking Your Social Media Feed to Enhance Mental Health.” Well Nourished Psych, Well Nourished Psych, wellnourishedpsych.com/hacking-your-social-media-feed-to-enhance-mental-health/. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025.
Poyourow, Joanne. “How to Create Your Own Good News Feed.” Change-Making News, Change-Making News, https://www.change-making.com/how-to-quit-doomscrolling/. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025.
“How To Cultivate A Feel-Good Social Media Feed.” Sweat.Com, Sweat, sweat.com/blogs/wellbeing/feel-good-social-media-feed. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025.
“How To Cultivate A Positive Social Media Experience.” Henryford.Com, Henry Ford Health, 28 Feb. 2025, www.henryford.com/blog/2025/02/how-to-cultivate-a-positive-social-media-experience.
“Tips for Using News and Social Media in a Healthy Way.” KaiserPermanente.Org, Kaiser Permanente, healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.tips-for-using-news-and-social-media-in-a-healthy-way.acl3156. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025.
iOS 26 Updates to Apple CarPlay:
Swanner, Nate. “Apple CarPlay Users Are About To Notice Huge Changes.” Autoblog.Com, Auto Blog, https://www.autoblog.com/news/apple-carplay-users-are-about-to-notice-huge-changes. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025.
Poultney, Leon. “I’ve Tried CarPlay’s New iOS 26 Makeover – Here Are My 5 Favorite Upgrades.” TechRadar.Com, TechRadar, 16 Sept. 2025, www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/ive-tried-carplays-new-ios-26-makeover-here-are-my-5-favorite-upgrades.
Miller, Chance. “This IOS 26 Change Makes Carplay Even Better.” 9to5Mac.Com, 9to5Mac, 22 Sept. 2025, 9to5mac.com/2025/09/22/carplay-in-ios-26-smart-display-zoom/.
The Fight for ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits:
Muoio, Dave. “Delaying ACA Subsidy Legislation Past Sept. 30 Limits next Year’s Premium Reductions: CBO.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 18 Sept. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/delaying-aca-subsidy-legislation-past-sept-30-limits-next-years-premium-reductions-cbo.
Sullivan, Peter. “GOP Considers Changing and Extending ACA Subsidies.” Axios.Com, Axios, 22 Sept. 2025, www.axios.com/2025/09/22/republicans-aca-tax-credit-changes.
“The Estimated Effects of Enacting Selected Health Coverage Policies on the Federal Budget and on the Number of People With Health Insurance.” Cbo.Gov, Congressional Budget Office, 18 Sept. 2025, www.cbo.gov/publication/61734.
What the Stay on 2025 ACA Final Rule Changes Means
Ortaliza, Jared, Anna Cord, et al. “Inflation Reduction Act Health Insurance Subsidies: What Is Their Impact and What Would Happen If They Expire?” KFF.Org, KFF, 9 Aug. 2025, www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/inflation-reduction-act-health-insurance-subsidies-what-is-their-impact-and-what-would-happen-if-they-expire/.
More Episodes Like This One:
Announcing the Launch of IntegrityCONNECT
CMS & HHS Expand ACA Catastrophic Coverage Enrollment
Judge Grants Stay on Many 2025 ACA Final Rule Provisions
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.

Friday Sep 19, 2025
Announcing the Launch of IntegrityCONNECT
Friday Sep 19, 2025
Friday Sep 19, 2025
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:
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Ritter Resources:
Download eBooks and Guides
Read the Ritter Blog
Register for Events and Webinars
Compliant Compensation for Medicare Sales, Renewals, or Services:
“Burden of Proof.” Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law, www.law.cornell.edu/wex/burden_of_proof. Accessed 19 Sept. 2025.
Hurson, Brendan A. “City of Columbus Et Al. vs. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Et Al.” Democracyforward.Org, Democracy Forward, 22 Aug. 2025, democracyforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/35-City-of-Columbus-memorandum-opinion.pdf.
Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-422/subpart-V/section-422.2274. Accessed 17 Sept. 2025.
Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration, www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-423/subpart-V/section-423.2274. Accessed 17 Sept. 2025.
“Preponderance of the Evidence.” Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law, www.law.cornell.edu/wex/preponderance_of_the_evidence. Accessed 19 Sept. 2025.
New Features for Spotify Free & Premium:
“7 Ways Spotify’s New User Controls Put You in Charge of Your Listening.” For the Record, Spotify, 8 Sept. 2025, newsroom.spotify.com/2025-09-05/new-user-controls-personalize-listening/.
Shanklin, Will. “Free Spotify Users Can Finally Listen to Any Track Immediately.” Engadget.Com, Engadget, 15 Sept. 2025, www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/free-spotify-users-can-finally-listen-to-any-track-immediately-130013081.html.
“Lossless Listening Arrives on Spotify Premium With a Richer, More Detailed Listening Experience.” For the Record, Spotify, 10 Sept. 2025, newsroom.spotify.com/2025-09-10/lossless-listening-arrives-on-spotify-premium-with-a-richer-more-detailed-listening-experience/.
Connellan, Shannon. “Spotify’s Free Users Can Now Search and Play Songs with Ease.” Mashable.Com, Mashable, 16 Sept. 2025, mashable.com/article/spotify-free-search-play-songs.
“Spotify’s Free Experience Is Even Better—Here’s How to Make the Most of It.” For the Record, Spotify, 15 Sept. 2025, newsroom.spotify.com/2025-09-15/free-experience-updates-features-tips/.
Mehta, Ivan. “Spotify Is Finally Launching Support for Lossless Music Streaming.” TechCrunch.Com, TechCrunch, 10 Sept. 2025, techcrunch.com/2025/09/10/spotify-is-finally-launching-support-for-lossless-music-streaming/.
Rogers, Tammy. “Spotify Lossless Just Dropped — Here’s How It Compares to Apple Music, Tidal and Other High-Res Services.” Tomsguide.Com, Tom’s Guide, 15 Sept. 2025, www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/music-streaming/streaming-quality-everything-you-need-to-know-about-your-favorite-music-streamer.
Introvert, Extrovert, Ambivert… Otrovert?
“A Deeper Dive into Otrovert Traits.” Theothernessinstitute.Com, The Otherness Institute, www.othernessinstitute.com/in-other-words/a-deeper-dive-into-otrovert-traits/. Accessed 17 Sept. 2025.
Burke, Olivia. “Expert Explains New ‘Otrovert’ Personality Type and It’s Very Different to Introverts or Extroverts.” LADbible.Com, LADbible, 12 Sept. 2025, www.ladbible.com/community/personality-type-otrovert-explained-dr-rami-kaminski-378511-20250912.
Kaminski, Rami. “‘Otroverts’ and Why Nonconformists Often See What Others Can’t.” Bigthink.Com, Big Think, 2 July 2025, bigthink.com/big-think-books/otrovert/.
Mendoza, Luis Felipe. “The Otrovert, New Personality Type Identified by Psychiatrists.” Colombia One, colombiaone.com, 16 Sept. 2025, colombiaone.com/2025/09/16/otrovert-new-personality/.
Announcing the Launch of IntegrityCONNECT:
“Integrity Announces IntegrityCONNECT, an All-in-One Technology Growth Engine for Agents and Agencies.” Integrity.Com, Integrity, 17 Sept. 2025, integrity.com/announcingintegrityconnect/.
IntegrityCONNECT Agent Learning Center
List of IntegrityCONNECT Training Webinars
More Episodes Like This One:
5 Medicare Myths Your Clients May Believe
CMS & HHS Expand ACA Catastrophic Coverage Enrollment
Content Library: Mastering Medicare Insurance Coverage ft. Jeff Snyder
How Insurance Agents Can Use AI Tools
Judge Grants Stay on Many 2025 ACA Final Rule Provisions
The Survivor’s AEP Checklist
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.

Friday Sep 12, 2025
CMS & HHS Expand ACA Catastrophic Coverage Enrollment
Friday Sep 12, 2025
Friday Sep 12, 2025
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, Mashable, 9 Sept. 2025, mashable.com/article/apple-ios-26-release-date-how-to-download.
Diaz, Maria. “iOS 26 Update Is Coming Soon - How to Download It (and Which iPhones Support It).” Zdnet.Com, ZDNET, 10 Sept. 2025, www.zdnet.com/article/ios-26-update-is-coming-soon-how-to-download-it-and-which-iphones-support-it/.
Teague, Katie. “iOS 26: What to Know about the Free iPhone Software Update Arriving September 15.” Engadget.Com, Engadget, 11 Sept. 2025, www.engadget.com/mobile/ios-26-what-to-know-about-the-free-iphone-software-update-arriving-september-15-135749658.html.
CMS & HHS Expand ACA Catastrophic Coverage Enrollment:
August 22, 2025 Friday Five: Judge Vacates HHS MA Commissions Lawsuit
“By the Numbers: House Bill Takes Health Coverage Away From Millions of People and Raises Families’ Health Care Costs.” Cbpp.Org, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, www.cbpp.org/research/health/by-the-numbers-house-bill-takes-health-coverage-away-from-millions-of-people-and. Accessed 11 Sept. 2025.
“CMS Broadens Access to Catastrophic Exchange Plans.” Modernhealthcare.Com, Modern Healthcare, 4 Sept. 2025, www.modernhealthcare.com/politics-regulation/mh-catastrophic-health-plans-open-enrollment-2026/.
“Entities Approved to Use Enhanced Direct Enrollment.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 9 Aug. 2024, www.cms.gov/files/document/ede-approved-partner.pdf.
Reed, Tina. “Exclusive: HHS to Expand Eligibility for Catastrophic Plans.” Axios.Com, Axios, 4 Sept. 2025, www.axios.com/2025/09/04/trump-hhs-expand-catastrophic-plan-eligibility.
“Expanding Access to Health Insurance: Consumers to Gain Access to ‘Catastrophic’ Health Insurance Plans in 2026 Plan Year.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 4 Sept. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/expanding-access-health-insurance-consumers-gain-access-catastrophic-health-insurance-plans-2026.
“Guidance on Hardship Exemptions for Individuals Ineligible for Advance Payment of the Premium Tax Credit or Cost-Sharing Reductions Due to Income, and Streamlining Exemption Pathways to Coverage.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 4 Sept. 2025, www.cms.gov/files/document/guidance-hardship-exemptions.pdf.
“HHS Expands Access to Affordable Health Insurance.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 4 Sept. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hhs-expands-access-affordable-health-insurance.
“HHS Expands Access to Affordable Health Insurance.” HHS.Gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 4 Sept. 2025, www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-expands-access-affordable-catastrophic-health-coverage.html.
Ortaliza, Jared, Matt McGough, Kaitlyn Vu, et al. “How Much and Why ACA Marketplace Premiums Are Going up in 2026.” Healthsystemtracker.Org, KFF, 6 Aug. 2025, www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/how-much-and-why-aca-marketplace-premiums-are-going-up-in-2026/.
Minemyer, Paige. “Trump Administration Expands Access to ACA Catastrophic Plans.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 4 Sept. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/trump-administration-expands-access-aca-catastrophic-plans.
Resources:
2026 ACA & Medicare Cost Projections
3 Benefits of Selling ACA Insurance Plans
5 Medicare Myths Your Clients May Believe
2026 ACA Exchange & FFM Certification Info
Judge Grants Stay on Many 2025 ACA Final Rule Provisions
The ICHRA Opportunity for Agents ft. Lisa Marzolino & Danica Stover
The Survivor’s AEP Checklist
Get Connected:
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to 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.

Friday Sep 05, 2025
5 Medicare Myths Your Clients May Believe
Friday Sep 05, 2025
Friday Sep 05, 2025
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
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Medicare Basics Resources on the Content Library*:
How and When Can I Change Medicare Insurance Plans?*
The Basics of Medicare Insurance*
What is Original Medicare? *
What is Medicare Part C (Advantage)? *
What is Medicare Part D? *
What are Medicare Supplements? *
Additional Podcast Episodes & Resources:
5 Types of Content to Share on Social Media
Apps for Content Creation
Content Library: Mastering Medicare Insurance Coverage ft. Jeff Snyder
Introducing a Content Marketing Solution for Insurance Agents ft. Lisa Lynch and Jeff Snyder
Medicare Advantage Trial Rights Explained for Agents
What New Insurance Agents Need to Know
What to Know When Replacing Existing Med Supp Plans for Clients
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/
*Requires RitterIM.com registration & login
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Monday Sep 01, 2025
2026 ACA Exchange & FFM Certification Info
Monday Sep 01, 2025
Monday Sep 01, 2025
We’ve got updates* on the 2026 ACA Exchange, requirements, and training resources!
*UPDATE: Since publishing this episode, 2026 FFM Certification has gone live. State-based trainings in Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are also live.
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/article/What-is-the-Marketplace-Learning-Management-System-and-how-do-I-access-it. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025.
“Find Affordable Health Insurance in Georgia.” Georgia Access, 8 Aug. 2025, https://georgiaaccess.gov/.
“For Certified Brokers.” Connect for Health Colorado, 10 June 2025, https://connectforhealthco.com/for-certified-brokers/.
“Home.” Maryland Health Connection, 5 Aug. 2025, https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/.
“Official Site of the State of New Jersey.” GetCoveredNJ | Brokers & Agents, https://nj.gov/getcoverednj/home/assisters_ba.shtml. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025
“Registration and Training for Marketplace Agents and Brokers.” CMS.Gov, https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/agents-brokers/registration-training. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025.
“Welcome to Kynect Health Coverage.” HealthCoverage, https://kynect.ky.gov/healthcoverage/s/?language=en_US. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025.
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.

Friday Aug 29, 2025
Judge Grants Stay on Many 2025 ACA Final Rule Provisions
Friday Aug 29, 2025
Friday Aug 29, 2025
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:
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Ritter Summits Takeaways & Shoutouts:
Register for Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits
What I’m Watching Right Now:
The Residence on Netflix
Apple “Awe Dropping” Event Announced:
Esposito, Filipe. “5 iPhone 17 Rumors Apple Basically Confirmed in Its ‘Awe Dropping’ Event Invite.” Macworld.Com, Macworld, 27 Aug. 2025, www.macworld.com/article/2889966/5-iphone-17-rumors-apple-just-confirmed-in-its-awe-dropping-event-invite.html.
Lord, Sarah. “Apple’s ‘Awe Dropping’ iPhone 17 Event: What to Expect and How to Watch.” PCMAG.Com, PCMAG, 27 Aug. 2025, www.pcmag.com/news/apple-awe-dropping-iphone-17-event-what-to-expect-how-to-watch.
Hall, Zac. “Apple Officially Announces iPhone 17 Event: ‘Awe Dropping.’” 9to5Mac.Com, 9to5Mac, 26 Aug. 2025, 9to5mac.com/2025/08/26/iphone-17-event-announcement-2/.
Carlson, Jeff. “Deciphering Apple’s ‘Awe Dropping’ iPhone 17 Event Invite.” CNET.Com, CNET, 27 Aug. 2025, www.cnet.com/tech/deciphering-apples-awe-dropping-iphone-17-event-invite/.
Hardwick, Tim. “What Not to Expect at Apple’s ‘Awe Dropping’ September 9 Event.” MacRumors.Com, MacRumors, 28 Aug. 2025, www.macrumors.com/2025/08/28/what-not-to-expect-apple-iphone-17-event/.
Spotify Slips Into the DMs:
“Introducing Messages, A New Way To Share What You Love on Spotify with Friends and Family.” Newsroom.Spotify.Com, Spotify, 26 Aug. 2025, newsroom.spotify.com/2025-08-26/introducing-messages-a-new-way-to-share-what-you-love-on-spotify-with-friends-and-family/.
Schneider, Marc. “Spotify’s DMS Are Open.” Billboard.Com, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2025, www.billboard.com/pro/spotify-messages-app-sharing-dms-feature/.
Weatherbed, Jess. “Spotify Is Adding DMS.” TheVerge.Com, The Verge, 26 Aug. 2025, https://www.theverge.com/news/765771/spotify-messages-dms-audio-sharing-feature.
Spangler, Todd. “Spotify Launches In-App Messaging, Hoping New DM Feature Will Boost Listening and ‘Drive Hype.’” Variety.Com, Variety, 26 Aug. 2025, variety.com/2025/digital/news/spotify-launches-in-app-messaging-1236497588/.
Judge Grants Stay on Many 2025 ACA Final Rule Provisions:
Hurson, Brendan A. “City of Columbus Et Al. vs. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Et Al.” Democracyforward.Org, Democracy Forward, 22 Aug. 2025, democracyforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/35-City-of-Columbus-memorandum-opinion.pdf.
Minemyer, Paige. “Courts Press Pause on Key Elements of Trump Administration’s ACA Rule.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 25 Aug. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/courts-press-pause-key-elements-trump-administrations-aca-rule.
Bruner, Bethany. “Federal Judge Halts Implementation of Health Insurance Changes in Lawsuit Columbus Filed.” Dispatch.Com, The Columbus Dispatch, 25 Aug. 2025, www.dispatch.com/story/news/courts/2025/08/22/federal-judge-halts-trump-administration-health-insurance-rules-columbus-ohio-lawsuit-aca-obamacare/85782252007/.
“Healthcare.Gov’s Marketplace in Your State.” HealthCare.Gov, HealthCare.gov, www.healthcare.gov/marketplace-in-your-state/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
Pifer, Rebecca. “Judge Stays Provisions of Trump Administration Rule Overhauling ACA.” Healthcare Dive, healthcaredive.com, 25 Aug. 2025, www.healthcaredive.com/news/trump-affordable-care-act-rule-stay-cms/758474/.
Clason, Lauren. “RFK Jr.’s Obamacare Changes Partially Paused by Federal Judge.” Bloomberglaw.Com, Bloomberg Law, 22 Aug. 2025, news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-and-business/rfk-jr-s-obamacare-changes-partially-paused-by-federal-judge.
Oeschner, Troy, et al. “What’s at Stake in California v. Kennedy?” Rockinst.Org, Rockefeller Institute of Government, 22 Aug. 2025, www.rockinst.org/blog/whats-at-stake-in-california-v-kennedy/.
Resources:
3 Benefits of Selling ACA Insurance Plans
5 Things About ICHRA
2026 ACA & Medicare Cost Projections
ACA Enrollment Periods Explained
Content Library: Mastering Medicare Insurance Coverage ft. Jeff Snyder
The ICHRA Opportunity for Agents ft. Lisa Marzolino & Danica Stover
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.

Friday Aug 22, 2025
Judge Vacates HHS MA Commissions Lawsuit
Friday Aug 22, 2025
Friday Aug 22, 2025
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:
📞Contact Ritter’s Team in Georgia – Steve Telander, Jada Morthland, and Betsy Bond!
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Field Notes on OBBBA:
5 Things From the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill
The One Big Beautiful Bill: What Health Insurance Agents Should Know
Field Notes on Spotify:
“Mix Your Favorite Playlists Seamlessly by Adding Your Own Transitions.” Newsroom.Spotify.Com, Spotify, 19 Aug. 2025, newsroom.spotify.com/2025-08-19/mix-your-favorite-playlists-seamlessly-by-adding-your-own-transitions/.
Romero, Andrew. “Spotify Is Doubling down on Track Transitions with New Custom Options.” 9to5google.Com, 9to5google, 19 Aug. 2025, 9to5google.com/2025/08/19/spotify-custom-playlist-transitions/.
Perez, Sarah. “Spotify’s Latest Feature Lets You Add Your Own Transitions to Playlists.” TechCrunch.Com, TechCrunch, 19 Aug. 2025, techcrunch.com/2025/08/19/spotifys-latest-feature-lets-you-add-your-own-transitions-to-playlists/.
Weatherbed, Jess. “Spotify’s New Track Mixing Tool Adds DJ Features to Your Playlists.” Theverge.Com, The Verge, 19 Aug. 2025, www.theverge.com/news/761290/spotify-playlist-mix-audio-transition-feature.
Mauran, Cecily. “Spotify Now Allows Custom Transitions in Playlists.” Mashable.Com, Mashable, 19 Aug. 2025, mashable.com/article/spotify-custom-transitions-in-playlists.
Field Notes on TikTok:
West, Chloe. “TikTok Hashtags: How to Use the Best Hashtags for More Views in 2025.” Sproutsocial.Com, Sprout Social, 14 Aug. 2025, sproutsocial.com/insights/tiktok-hashtags/.
Hutchinson, Andrew. “TikTok Implements Hashtag Limit.” Socialmediatoday.Com, Social Media Today, 17 Aug. 2025, www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-implements-five-hashtag-limit-per-post/757857/.
Adegbola, Anu. “TikTok Limits Posts to Five Hashtags.” Searchengineland.Com, Search Engine Land, 18 Aug. 2025, searchengineland.com/tiktok-limits-hashtags-460894.
J.D. Power Medicare Advantage Member Satisfaction Survey:
“2025 U.S. Medicare Advantage Study.” Jdpower.Com, J.D. Power, 19 Aug. 2025, www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-medicare-advantage-study.
“J.D. Power: Medicare Advantage Headwinds Impacting Member Satisfaction.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 19 Aug. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/jd-power-medicare-advantage-headwinds-impacting-member-satisfaction.
Payerchin, Richard. “Medicare Advantage Policy Changes Fuel Confusion, Skepticism among Beneficiaries.” Edited by Todd Shryock, MedicalEconomics.Com, MedicalEconomics, 19 Aug. 2025, www.medicaleconomics.com/view/medicare-advantage-policy-changes-fuel-confusion-skepticism-among-beneficiaries.
Sonder Health Plans Inc. Termination:
Contact Ritter’s Team in Georgia – Steve Telander, Jada Morthland, and Betsy Bond!
“Important Announcement Regarding Sonder Health Plans, Inc.” Oci.Eorgia.Gov, Georgie Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Fire Safety, oci.georgia.gov/press-releases/2025-08-15/important-announcement-regarding-sonder-health-plans-inc. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
“Sonder Health Plans, Inc. - In Receivership.” Sonderhealthplans-Inreceivership.Com, Sonder Health Plans, sonderhealthplans-inreceivership.com/. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Short-Term Medical Plan Regulation Update:
“Federal Agencies Signal a Shift in Enforcement of Short-Term Health Insurance Rules.” Aha.Org, American Hospital Association, 8 Aug. 2025, www.aha.org/news/headline/2025-08-08-federal-agencies-signal-shift-enforcement-short-term-health-insurance-rules.
“Short-Term Health Insurance Availability and Limits by State.” Healthinsurance.Org, healthinsurance.org, 15 Aug. 2025, www.healthinsurance.org/short-term-health-insurance/.
“Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance and Independent, Noncoordinated Excepted Benefits Coverage.” Federalregister.Gov, Federal Register, 3 Apr. 2024, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/03/2024-06551/short-term-limited-duration-insurance-and-independent-noncoordinated-excepted-benefits-coverage.
“Statement of U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury Regarding Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 7 Aug. 2025, www.cms.gov/files/document/statement-regarding-short-term-limited-duration-insurance.pdf.
Judge Vacates HHS MA Commissions Lawsuit:
O’Conner, Reed. “Americans for Beneficiary Choice & Council for Medicare Choice vs. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.” Gove.Uscourts.Com, U.S. District Court, 18 Aug. 2025, storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.389767/gov.uscourts.txnd.389767.62.0.pdf.
“Judge Vacates Medicare Advantage Marketing Rule Provisions.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 19 Aug. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/judge-vacates-medicare-advantage-marketing-rule-provisions.
Resources:
2025 MA Enrollment Stats & Trends
2026 ACA & Medicare Cost Projections
2026 Midwest D-SNP Market Opportunity
2026 D-SNP Market Snapshot
5 Things About ICHRA
Americans for Beneficiary Choice Wins Medicare Advantage Broker Compensation Ruling 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 affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Friday Aug 15, 2025
2026 ACA & Medicare Cost Projections
Friday Aug 15, 2025
Friday Aug 15, 2025
The Friday Five for August 15, 2025:
Threads, Waze, AEP Countdown
CMS 2026 Medicare Part D Bid Information
Medicare Part B Cost Projections
2026 COLA Estimate
CY2026 ACA Premium Rate Filings
Get Connected:
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Threads, Waze, AEP Countdown:
“Number of Threads Users.” Backlinko.Com, Backlinko, 17 July 2025, backlinko.com/threads-users.
Mendes, Marcus. “Threads Crosses 400M Monthly Active Users as It Gains on X.” 9to5Mac.Com, 9to5Mac, 13 Aug. 2025, 9to5mac.com/2025/08/12/threads-crosses-400m-monthly-active-users-as-it-gains-on-x/.
Price, Emily. “Threads Just Achieved Its Biggest Milestone Yet.” FastCompany.Com, Fast Company, 12 Aug. 2025, www.fastcompany.com/91384230/meta-threads-just-achieved-its-biggest-milestone-yet.
Malik, Aisha. “Threads Now Has More than 400 Million Monthly Active Users.” TechCrunch.Com, TechCrunch, 12 Aug. 2025, techcrunch.com/2025/08/12/threads-now-has-more-than-400-million-monthly-active-users/.
“Waze Will End Updates for Older Android Devices Soon.” 9to5google.Com, Google, 11 Aug. 2025, 9to5google.com/2025/08/11/waze-will-end-updates-for-older-android-devices-soon/.
CMS 2026 Medicare Part D Bid Information:
“2026 Medicare Part D Bid Information and Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration Parameters.” CMS.Gov, CMS, 28 July 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-part-d-bid-information-and-part-d-premium-stabilization-demonstration-parameters.
2026 Medicare Part D Bid Info Likely Means Higher Premiums & Plan Disruption — Here's Why
The 2026 Medicare Part D Redesign Updates Agents Should Know
Medicare Part B Cost Projections:
“2025 Medicare Trustees Report.” CMS.Gov, CMS, 18 June 2025, www.cms.gov/oact/tr/2025.
LeValley, Donna. “Seven Medicare Changes Coming in 2026.” Kiplinger.Com, Kiplinger, 8 Aug. 2025, www.kiplinger.com/retirement/medicare/medicare-changes-coming-in-2026.
2026 COLA Estimate:
“2025 Medicare Trustees Report.” CMS.Gov, CMS, 18 June 2025, www.cms.gov/oact/tr/2025.
LeValley, Donna. “Seven Medicare Changes Coming in 2026.” Kiplinger.Com, Kiplinger, 8 Aug. 2025, www.kiplinger.com/retirement/medicare/medicare-changes-coming-in-2026.
CY2026 ACA Premium Rate Filings:
Minemyer, Paige. “KFF Analysis Finds a Median ACA Premium Hike of 18% for 2026.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, FierceHealthcare, 8 Aug. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/kff-analysis-finds-median-aca-premium-hike-18-2026.
Ortaliza, Jared, Matt McGough, Kaitlyn Vu, et al. “How Much and Why ACA Marketplace Premiums Are Going up in 2026.” Healthsystemtracker.Org, KFF, 6 Aug. 2025, www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/how-much-and-why-aca-marketplace-premiums-are-going-up-in-2026/.
Resources:
5 Things About ICHRA
2026 D-SNP Market Snapshot
2026 Midwest D-SNP Market Opportunity
Ritter Insurance Marketing Certification Center
Should You Hire an Assistant for Your Insurance Business?
What New Insurance Agents Need to Know
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.

Friday Aug 08, 2025
2025 MA Enrollment Stats & Trends
Friday Aug 08, 2025
Friday Aug 08, 2025
The Friday Five for August 8, 2025:
Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits
Linda Yaccarino Enters Health Industry
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 Public Beta Takeaways
New Instagram Features
2025 MA Enrollment Stats & Trends
Register to Attend Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits
Work with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
Linda Yaccarino Enters Health Industry:
“eMed® Population Health Announces Appointment of Former X (Twitter) CEO Linda Yaccarino as New Chief Executive Officer.” Emed.Com, eMed, 5 Aug. 2025, www.emed.com/media/exploring-glp1.
Capoot, Ashley. “Former X CEO Linda Yaccarino Takes Helm at Digital Health Company eMed.” CNBC.Com, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2025, www.cnbc.com/2025/08/05/former-x-ceo-linda-yaccarino-takes-helm-at-digital-health-company-emed.html.
Roy, Sriparna, and Sneha S K. “Former X CEO Yaccarino Takes Helm at GLP-1 Focused Telehealth Firm eMed.” Reuters.Com, Reuters, 5 Aug. 2025, www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/former-x-ceo-yaccarino-takes-helm-glp-1-focused-telehealth-firm-emed-2025-08-05/.
Silberling, Amanda. “Linda Yaccarino Joins Health Tech Platform eMed as CEO after Leaving X.” Techcrunch.Com, TechCrunch, 5 Aug. 2025, techcrunch.com/2025/08/05/linda-yaccarino-joins-health-tech-platform-emed-as-ceo-after-leaving-x/.
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 Public Beta Takeaways:
“Apple iOS 26 Will Screen Cold Calls.” Collincadmus.Com, Collin Cadmus, www.collincadmus.com/blog/apple-ios-26-will-screen-cold-calls. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Teague, Katie. “Can You Download the iOS 26 Beta Today? Here’s a Comprehensive List of All Compatible iPhones.” Engadget.Com, Engadget, 6 Aug. 2025, www.engadget.com/mobile/can-you-download-the-ios-26-beta-today-heres-a-comprehensive-list-of-all-compatible-iphones-191854920.html.
Stimac, Blake. “iOS 18 vs. iOS 26: How Much Does Liquid Glass Impact Your iPhone’s Look?” CNET.Com, CNET, 4 Aug. 2025, www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ios-18-vs-ios-26-how-much-does-liquid-glass-impact-your-iphones-look/.
Halton, Clay. “I Tried the iOS 26 Beta—These 5 Features Make My iPhone Feel Like New Again.” Pcmag.Com, PC Mag, 5 Aug. 2025, www.pcmag.com/news/i-tried-the-ios-26-beta-these-5-features-make-my-iphone-feel-like-new-again.
McAuliffe, Zachary. “Say Goodbye to Spam Calls With Call Screening in iOS 26.” CNET, cnet.com, 5 Aug. 2025, www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/say-goodbye-to-spam-calls-with-call-screening-in-ios-26/.
New Instagram Features:
“How to Repost a Reel or a Post on Instagram.” Help.Instagram.Com, Instagram, help.instagram.com/1059575985490156. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Gallaga, Omar. “Instagram Adds New Features, Including Reposts and Maps.” CNET.Com, CNET, 6 Aug. 2025, www.cnet.com/news/social-media/instagram-adds-new-features-including-reposts-and-maps/.
Pathak, Khamosh. “Instagram’s Latest Update Added Reposts and a Snap Map Clone.” Lifehacker.Com, Lifehacker, 6 Aug. 2025, lifehacker.com/tech/instagram-added-reposts-and-snap-map-clone.
Malik, Aisha. “Instagram Takes on Snapchat with New ‘Instagram Map.’” Techcrunch.Com, TechCrunch, 6 Aug. 2025, techcrunch.com/2025/08/06/instagram-takes-on-snapchat-with-new-instagram-map/.
Heathera. “New Instagram Features to Help You Connect.” About.Fb.Com, Meta Newsroom, 6 Aug. 2025, about.fb.com/news/2025/08/new-instagram-features-help-you-connect/.
2025 MA Enrollment Stats & Trends:
Ochieng, Nancy, et al. “Medicare Advantage in 2025: Enrollment Update and Key Trends.” KFF.Org, KFF, 28 July 2025, www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-enrollment-update-and-key-trends/.
Resources:
5 Things About ICHRA
5 Things From the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill
2026 D-SNP Market Snapshot
2026 Maximum Broker Commissions for Medicare Advantage & Medicare Part D
How to Organize a Turning 65 Seminar on a Budget
ICHRA vs. QSEHRA vs. Group Health Plans: Sales Opportunities for Insurance Agents
The One Big Beautiful Bill: What Health Insurance Agents Should Know
The Pros and Cons of Working with Regional and National Carriers
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/
Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.