Agent Survival Guide Podcast
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Friday Dec 05, 2025
Friday Dec 05, 2025
CMS recently published their 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Proposed Rule. In this week’s Friday Five episode, we talk initial takeaways and the impact on agents and beneficiaries.
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🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
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💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Resources:
2026 Medicare Cost Roundup
2026 Medicare Part A & B Premiums & Deductibles
Government & Insurers Reconsider Short-Term Limited Duration Product Changes
How the 2027 Medicare Advantage & Part D Proposed Rule Could Impact Insurance Agents & Beneficiaries
Prescription Drug Pricing: MFN & GENEROUS
The 2026 COLA Increase & How it Affects Your Clients
References:
Hagerstrom, Chris. “11 Key Changes in CMS’s Contract Year 2027 Proposed Rule That Agents Should Be Watching.” Jsaonline.Com, Jack Schroeder and Associates, LLC, 2 Dec. 2025, www.jsaonline.com/resources/blog/11-key-changes-in-cmss-contract-year-2027-proposed-rule-that-agents-should-be-watching/.
“Contract Year 2027 Policy & Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, & Medicare Cost Plan Program Proposed Rule.” Chamberhillstrategies.Com, Chamber Hill Strategies, 2 Dec. 2025, chamberhill.com/insights/cy2027-ma-part-d-proposed-rule/.
“Contract Year 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Proposed Rule.” CMS.Gov, CMS, 25 Nov. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/contract-year-2027-medicare-advantage-part-d-proposed-rule.
Minemyer, Paige. “CMS Proposes Significant Overhauls to Medicare Advantage Star Ratings Metrics.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 25 Nov. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/cms-proposes-significant-overhauls-medicare-advantage-star-ratings-metrics.
Singh, Vandana. “CMS Unveils 2027 Rule To Refocus Medicare Advantage On Outcomes.” Benzinga.Com, Benzinga, 26 Nov. 2025, www.benzinga.com/news/health-care/25/11/49083625/cms-unveils-2027-rule-to-refocus-medicare-advantage-on-outcomes.
“Medicare Program; Contract Year 2027 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, and Medicare Cost Plan Program.” Federalregister.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 28 Nov. 2025, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/28/2025-21456/medicare-program-contract-year-2027-policy-and-technical-changes-to-the-medicare-advantage-program.
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Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Special delivery… the official ASG Podcast guide to holiday toy shopping in 2025! We’ve done the research, now it’s time to report our findings. Which toy will come out at number one this year? You’ll have to listen to find out!
Agent Survival Guide Podcast Toy List 2025:
Bluey and Bingo Supermarket Playset: Amazon | Official Site | Target | Walmart
Cows in Space: Amazon | Official Site | Target | Walmart
DJ Furby: Amazon | Official Site | Target | Walmart
Maggie the Feed & Follow Cow: Amazon | Official Site | Target | Walmart
Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie MeowMazing Interactive Dollhouse: Amazon | Target | Walmart
Gui Gui Slime Kit: Amazon | Official Site | Target | Walmart
Jurassic Park Primal Hatch Interactive Toy: Amazon | Official Site | Walmart
Lovevery Play Kits: Amazon | Official Site | Target
Monopoly Scrabble: Amazon | Official Site | Walmart
Moose Match Mayhem: Amazon | Official Site | Target | Walmart
Nintendo Switch 2: Amazon | Official Site | Target | Walmart
Rubik's Cube Pulse Cube: Amazon | Official Site | Target | Walmart
Tamagotchi Paradise: Amazon | Official Site
Toniebox 2: Amazon | Official Site | Target | Walmart
UNO Show 'Em No Mercy: Amazon | Official Site | Target | Walmart
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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.
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Monday Nov 17, 2025
Monday Nov 17, 2025
🚨THIS JUST IN: 2025 Medicare Part A and B premium and deductible numbers are live! Listen for details on the cost of Medicare for your clients in coverage year 2026.
Read the text version
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
📧Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Resources:
2026 Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Premiums
5 MORE Real-Life Medicare Sales Scenarios and How to Handle Them
5 Real-Life Medicare Sales Scenarios & How to Handle Them
5 Ways to Survive Enrollment Season 2026
Prescription Drug Pricing: MFN & GENEROUS
Stress Relief Tips to Get You Through AEP
References:
“2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
“CMS Fast Facts.” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Data, www.data.cms.gov/fact-sheet/cms-fast-facts. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
“Social Security Announces 2.8 Percent Benefit Increase for 2026 .” SSA, 24 Oct. 2025, www.blog.ssa.gov/social-security-announces-benefit-increase-for-2026/.
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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.
Wednesday Nov 12, 2025
Wednesday Nov 12, 2025
Jump in the time machine with us as we travel back circa 2005 for the first Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, the debut of Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, two new Med Supp plans, and 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.
Resources:
4 Ways PlanEnroll Will Make This Your Best AEP Yet
4 Reasons Why Ritter Insurance Marketing Should Be Your FMO Insurance Agency
5 Medicare Myths Your Clients May Believe
10 Tips to Submitting an Error-Free Medicare Enrollment Application
2026 Medicare Part D Bid Info Likely Means Higher Premiums & Plan Disruption — Here's Why
A Review of Integrity's Top Medicare Quoting Tools
How Insurance Agents Can Use AI Tools
How Storytelling Helps Agents Quickly Connect with Clients ft. Don Connelly
IntegrityCONNECT & PlanEnroll FAQs
Register with RitterIM.com
Risk Adjustment & Finding Value Beyond Coding Changes ft. Dr. Shannon Decker
The Future of Medicare Part D: The Push Toward MAPD
The Ultimate Agent Resource List Pt. 3: Staying Organized
References:
“2005 CMS Statistics.” Cms.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/research-statistics-data-and-systems/statistics-trends-and-reports/medicaremedicaidstatsupp/downloads/2005_cms_statisticspdf. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
“2025 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 8 Nov. 2024, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2025-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles.
McManus, Melanie Radzicki. “A Short History of How Netflix Won World Domination in Streaming.” Entertainment.Howstuffworks.Com, HowStuffWorks, 21 Dec. 2018, entertainment.howstuffworks.com/short-history-netflix-world-domination-streaming.htm.
“Beneficiaries with Special Needs Can Get Help from Medicare Managed Care Plans.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/beneficiaries-special-needs-can-get-help-medicare-managed-care-plans. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Laschober, Mary. “Estimating Medicare Advantage Lock-In Provisions Impact on Vulnerable Medicare Beneficiaries.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/files/document/05springpg63pdf.
“IPod Shuffle (1st Generation).” Apple.Fandom.Com, Apple Wiki, apple.fandom.com/wiki/IPod_shuffle_(1st_generation). Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
“K & L Out-of-Pocket Limits Announcements.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/medicare/health-drug-plans/medigap/k-l-out-of-pocket-limits-announcements. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
“Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs to Remain Stable as CMS Implements Improvements to the Programs in 2025.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 27 Sept. 2024, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/medicare-advantage-and-medicare-prescription-drug-programs-remain-stable-cms-implements-improvements.
Freed, Meredith, et al. “Medicare Advantage 2025 Spotlight: A First Look at Plan Offerings.” KFF.Org, KFF, 9 Aug. 2025, www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-2025-spotlight-a-first-look-at-plan-offerings/.
Freed, Meredith, Jeannie Fugleston Biniek, et al. “Medicare Advantage 2025 Spotlight: A First Look at Plan Premiums and Benefits.” KFF.Org, KFF, 9 Aug. 2025, www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-2025-spotlight-a-first-look-at-plan-premiums-and-benefits/.
“Medicare Part B Immunosuppressive Drug Benefit.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/partbid-provider. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
“Medicare Demonstration to Transition Enrollment of Low Income Subsidy Beneficiaries .” Cms.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 8 June 2006, www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/PrescriptionDrugCovContra/Downloads/MemoLTCContracting_060806.pdf.
“Medicare Part B Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.” Federalregister.Gov, Federal Register, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2006/10/27/E6-17690/medicare-part-b-income-related-monthly-adjustment-amount. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Cubanski, Juliette, and Anthony Damico. “Medicare Part D in 2025: A First Look at Prescription Drug Plan Availability, Premiums, and Cost Sharing.” KFF.Org, KFF, 9 Aug. 2025, www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-part-d-in-2025-a-first-look-at-prescription-drug-plan-availability-premiums-and-cost-sharing/.
“Medicare Program Description and Legislative History.” Ssa.Gov, Social Security Administration, www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2006/medicare.html. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
“Medicare Program; Establishment of the Medicare Advantage Program.” Federalregister.Gov, Federal Register, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2005/01/28/05-1322/medicare-program-establishment-of-the-medicare-advantage-program. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
“Part D / Prescription Drug Benefits.” Medicareadvocacy.Org, Center for Medicare Advocacy, 30 May 2025, medicareadvocacy.org/medicare-info/medicare-part-d/.
“Pop Culture in Review for the Year 2005.” Mrpopculture.Com, Mr. Pop Culture , 29 Nov. 2023, mrpopculture.com/pop-culture-in-review-for-the-year-2005/.
"The Medicare Advantage program: Availability, benefits, and special needs plans - Chapter 9." Medpac.Gov, Medpac.gov, www.medpac.gov/wp-content/uploads/import_data/scrape_files/docs/default-source/reports/Jun06_Ch09.pdf. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Gold, Marsha. “The Landscape of Private Firms Offering Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage in 2006.” Modern.Kff.Org, The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, www.kff.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/7474.pdf. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
“The next Generation of Medicare Beneficiaries - Chapter 2.” Medpac.Gov, Medpac.gov, www.medpac.gov/wp-content/uploads/import_data/scrape_files/docs/default-source/reports/chapter-2-the-next-generation-of-medicare-beneficiaries-june-2015-report-.pdf. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Crowder, Courtney. “Throwback: Pop Culture Trends of 2005.” Usatoday.Com, USA Today, 30 July 2015, www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/2015/07/30/pop-culture-trends/30739417/.
“Update to Medicare Deductible, Coinsurance and Premium Rates for 2006.” Cms.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/downloads/R31GI.pdf. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
“Variation and Trends in Medigap Premiums.” Aspe.Hhs.Gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_legacy_files/43721/index.pdf. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Hosch, William L. “YouTube.” Britannica.Com, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 19 Oct. 2025, www.britannica.com/topic/YouTube.
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Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
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
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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.
Saturday Nov 01, 2025
Saturday Nov 01, 2025
Have you heard? The definition of Short-Term Limited Duration Insurance has changed. We unpack what it means for insurance agents!
Read the text version
🤝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:
CMS & HHS Expand ACA Catastrophic Coverage Enrollment
ICHRA vs. QSEHRA vs. Group Health Plans: Sales Opportunities for Insurance Agents
Judge Vacates HHS MA Commissions Lawsuit
Ritter Insurance Marketing Carrier Partners
The Fight for ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits
References:
“Public Health Service Act.” Govinfo.Gov, govinfo.gov, www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-8773/pdf/COMPS-8773.pdf. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
“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 Health Insurance: How It Works and Who It’s For.” Healthinsurance.Org, healthinsurance.org, 30 Sept. 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 & Medicaid Services, 7 Aug. 2025, www.cms.gov/files/document/statement-regarding-short-term-limited-duration-insurance.pdf.
“What Is Individual Health Insurance?” Healthinsurance.Org, healthinsurance.org, 14 Feb. 2025, www.healthinsurance.org/glossary/individual-health-insurance/.
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Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
Friday Oct 31, 2025
Friday Oct 31, 2025
No tricks, just a treat of an episode that miiiight leave you sleeping with the lights on tonight. Our staff volunteered to tell some spooky stories that line up with locations featured in our Content Library Top Spooky Spots series. We hope you enjoy it!
Content Library: The Top Spooky Spots for Halloween
Previous Content Library Interviews:
Content Library: Cooking for Beginners ft. Jeff Snyder
Content Library: Mastering Medicare Insurance Coverage ft. Jeff Snyder
Introducing a Content Marketing Solution for Insurance Agents
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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/
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.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Monday Oct 27, 2025
This just in! Social Security announced the Cost of Living Adjustment for 2026. Listen on the ASG podcast for the official numbers and how the COLA increase impacts your clients.
Read the text version
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
📧Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Resources:
5 Medicare Myths Your Clients May Believe
2026 Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Premiums
Ask Integrity Plan Insights
References:
“Consumer Price Index - September 2025.” Bls.Gov, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24 Oct. 2025, www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.toc.htm.
“Create Your Personal My Social Security Account Today.” SSA, Social Security Administration, www.ssa.gov/myaccount/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Bogle, Darlynda. “How the Hold Harmless Provision Protects Your Benefits.” Blog.SSA.Gov, Social Security Administration, 18 Apr. 2025, blog.ssa.gov/how-the-hold-harmless-provision-protects-your-benefits/.
“Social Security Announces 2.8 Percent Benefit Increase for 2026 .” SSA.Gov, Social Security Administration, 24 Oct. 2025, blog.ssa.gov/social-security-announces-benefit-increase-for-2026/.
“Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment.” SSA.Gov, Social Security Administration, 24 Oct. 2025, www.ssa.gov/cola/.
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Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
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
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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.
Monday Sep 15, 2025
Monday Sep 15, 2025
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.
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Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
Saturday Jul 26, 2025
Saturday Jul 26, 2025
D-SNP integration changes are about to hit year 2 in 2026. What does that mean for the market? Lincoln Lafayette and Anthony Budhar join Sarah to chat about the D-SNP market in 2026 and the opportunities for agents selling dual-eligible special needs plans.
🤝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.
Connect with Lincoln & Anthony:
📧Reach out to Lincoln Lafayette
Lincoln on LinkedIn
📧Reach out to Anthony Budhar
Anthony on LinkedIn
Resources:
Changes to Medicare in 2025 Affect Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans
Midwest State D-SNP Disruption
The Benefits of Selling D-SNPs
The Complete Guide on How to Sell D-SNPs
The Midwest D-SNP Market Shifts to Integrated Plans for 2026 — Will You?
References:
“Contract Year 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule (CMS-4205-F).” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 4 Apr. 2024, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/contract-year-2025-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-final-rule-cms-4205-f.
“Number of Dual-Eligible Individuals.” KFF.Org, KFF, 7 May 2025, www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/number-of-dual-eligible-individuals/?currentTimeframe=4&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22%3A%22Location%22%2C%22sort%22%3A%22asc%22%7D.
Pena, Maria T., et al. “The Landscape of Medicare and Medicaid Coverage Arrangements for Dual-Eligible Individuals Across States.” KFF.Org, KFF, 24 Oct. 2024, www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/the-landscape-of-medicare-and-medicaid-coverage-arrangements-for-dual-eligible-individuals-across-states/.
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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.
Thursday Jun 26, 2025
Thursday Jun 26, 2025
This just in: CMS 2026 maximum broker commissions for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D. Listen to learn more about commission structure and the caps writing MA and PDP business in your market for the upcoming 2026 plan year.
Read the text version
Resources:
AHIP 2026 Certification Dates: https://lnk.to/asgf20250516
Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
FAQs About NABIP Medicare Certification: https://ritterim.com/blog/faqs-about-nabip-medicare-certification/
How to Avoid Using Elderspeak: https://lnk.to/asgf20250530
Reach out to the team at Ritter Insurance Marketing: https://ritterim.com/meet-your-sales-team/
Reassuring Your Clients During Difficult Times: https://lnk.to/asg671
What is AHIP Certification and How Do I Get It? https://lnk.to/asg672
References:
“2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement.” CMS.Gov, CMS, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-rate-announcement.
Agent Broker Compensation and Training and Testing Requirements CY2026: https://ritterim.com/documents/cms-memos/memo-agent-broker-compensation-and-training-and-testing-requirements-cy2026.pdf
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Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Learn more about the NABIP Medicare Advantage Certification (MMACR), an alternative program for agents looking to satisfy their Medicare & Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training requirements from CMS.
Read the text version
Resources:
4 Ancillary Cross-Sales to Show Clients You Care: https://lnk.to/asg670
AHIP 2026 Certification Dates: https://lnk.to/asgf20250516
Reassuring Your Clients During Difficult Times: https://lnk.to/asg671
Takeaways on Social Media Marketing in 2025: https://lnk.to/asgf20250523
What Is AHIP Certification and How Do I Get It? https://lnk.to/asg672
References:
“NABIP Approved Carriers .” NABIP.Org, NABIP, https://www.nabiptraining.org/nabip/carriers. Accessed 2 June 2025.
“NABIP Medicare Advantage Certification.” NABIP.Org, NABIP, https://www.nabiptraining.org/nabip/medicare. Accessed 2 June 2025.
“NABIP Official Site.” Nabip.Org, NABIP, nabip.org/. Accessed 2 June 2025.
“NABIP Professional Development.” Nabip.Org, NABIP, nabip.org/professional-development. Accessed 2 June 2025.
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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.
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
We’ve got details on the CMS decision to reverse their decision on the Disaster/Emergency SEP for Medicare Beneficiaries.
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:
5 Myths about Selling ACA Health Plans: https://lnk.to/asg660 Building the Foundation for Success ft. Roy Snarr: https://lnk.to/snarr2025 Does Your Medicare Sales Approach Satisfy Different Budgets? https://lnk.to/G6g1fm
Medicare Advantage Emergency-Related SEPs: https://ritterim.com/blog/medicare-advantage-emergency-related-seps/
References:
“Medicare Advantage and Part D Enrollment and Disenrollment Guidance Updated: 2024.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/cy2025cdenrollmentanddisenrollmentguidancepdf.pdf. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
Friday Apr 11, 2025
Friday Apr 11, 2025
CMS just released the 2026 MA and Part D Rate Announcement! Listen to learn more about what this means for the upcoming coverage year.
Resources:
3 Additional Effective Techniques for Closing Insurance Sales: https://lnk.to/asg656
4 Effective Techniques for Closing Insurance Sales: https://lnk.to/asg655
CMS Updates, Content Library, & More! https://lnk.to/asgf20250328
Introducing a Content Marketing Solution for Insurance Agents: https://lnk.to/contentlibrary
The Best Appointment Schedulers for Insurance Agents: https://lnk.to/asg657
References:
“2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D Advance Notice Fact Sheet.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 10 Jan. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-advance-notice-fact-sheet.
“2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-rate-announcement.
“Announcement of Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/files/document/2026-announcement.pdf.
Tong, Noah. “CMS Finalizes 5.06% Medicare Advantage Benchmark Increase.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 8 Apr. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/cms-finalizes-506-medicare-advantage-benchmark-increase.
“CMS Finalizes 2026 Payment Policy Updates for Medicare Advantage and Part D Programs.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-finalizes-2026-payment-policy-updates-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-programs.
“Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (CMS-4208-F).” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/contract-year-2026-policy-and-technical-changes-medicare-advantage-program-medicare-prescription-final.
“Final CY 2026 Part D Redesign Program Instructions.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/final-cy-2026-part-d-redesign-program-instructions.
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Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.