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

Jun 12, 2026
CMS Medicaid Work Requirements
Jun 12, 2026
Jun 12, 2026
27 min
The Friday Five for June 12, 2026:
Apple WWDC 2026 Takeaways
Instagram Grid Arrangement Feature
IntegrityCONNECT Annuities & What’s Coming Soon
KFF MA Enrollment Stats & Trends for 2026
CMS Medicaid Work Requirements
Get Connected:
🤝 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.
Apple WWDC 2026:
“Apple previews new child safety features.” Apple.com, Apple, 8 Jun 2026, https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/06/apple-previews-new-child-safety-features/.
Weatherbed, Jess. “Apple is redesigning Screen Time and overhauling child controls.” Theverge.com, The Verge, 8 Jun 2026, https://www.theverge.com/tech/945898/apple-parental-controls-child-accounts-wwdc2026.
Perez, Sarah. “Apple puts parents back in control of kids’ iPhone use.” Techcrunch.com, Tech Crunch, 8 Jun 2026, https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/08/apple-puts-parents-back-in-control-of-kids-iphone-use/.
Instagram Grid Arrangement Feature:
Moon, Mariella. “Instagram finally lets you reorder posts on your grid.” Engadget.com, Engadget, 8 Jun 2026, https://www.engadget.com/2190179/instagram-how-to-reorder-grid/.
Lawler, Richard. “Instagram is finally letting everyone reorganize their profile grid.” Theverge.com, The Verge, 8 Jun 2026, https://www.theverge.com/tech/946458/instagram-is-finally-letting-everyone-reorganize-their-grid.
IntegrityCONNECT Annuities & What’s Coming Soon:
Events & Webinars from Ritter Insurance Marketing
IntegrityCONNECT Learning Webinars
KFF MA Enrollment Stats & Trends for 2026:
Freed, Meredith et. al. “Medicare Advantage in 2026: Enrollment Update and Key Trends.” KFF.org, KFF, 5 Jun 2026, https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-in-2026-enrollment-update-and-key-trends/.
Freed, Meredith et. al. “Medicare Advantage in 2026: Premiums, Out-of-Pocket Limits, Supplemental Benefits, and Prior Authorization.” KFF, KFF.org, 5 Jun 2026, https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-in-2026-premiums-out-of-pocket-limits-supplemental-benefits-and-prior-authorization/.
CMS Medicaid Work Requirements:
“CMS Launches Nationwide Framework to Implement Medicaid Work Requirements.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 1 Jun 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-launches-nationwide-framework-implement-medicaid-work-requirements.
Minemyer, Paige. “CMS outlines national framework to support rollout of Medicaid work requirements.” Fiercehealthcare.com, Fierce Healthcare, 1 Jun 2026, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/cms-outlines-national-framework-support-rollout-medicaid-work-requirements.
Pifer Parduhn, Rebecca. “CMS releases Medicaid work requirements guidance for states.” Healthcaredive.com, Healthcare Dive, 2 Jun 2026, https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/cms-medicaid-work-requirements-final-rule-state-guidance/821631/.
Tolbert, Jennifer. “CMS Requires More Restrictive Definition of Medical Frailty in New Medicaid Work Requirements Rule.” Kff.org, KFF, 2 Jun 2026, https://www.kff.org/quick-insights/cms-requires-more-restrictive-definition-of-medical-frailty-in-new-medicaid-work-requirements-rule/.
Minemyer, Paige. “Industry groups say final Medicaid work requirements rule imposes onerous documentation burden.” Fiercehealthcare.com, Fierce Healthcare, 2 Jun 2026, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/industry-groups-say-final-medicaid-work-requirements-rule-imposes-onerous-documentation.
“Medicaid Program; Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals.” Federalregister.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 3 June 2026, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/03/2026-11094/medicaid-program-community-engagement-requirement-for-certain-individuals.
“Medicaid Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals Interim Final Rule with Comment Period (CMS-2454-IFC).” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 1 Jun 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicaid-community-engagement-requirement-certain-individuals-interim-final-rule-comment-period-cms.
Resources:
5 Takeaways from the 2027 CMS Marketplace Final Rule for Insurance Agents
2027 MA and Part D Max Commissions
Introducing the Integrity Health Plan
Should You Hire Licensed-Only Agents for Your Insurance Agency?
The Power of Daily Affirmations in Insurance 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/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Jun 10, 2026
2027 NABIP Medicare Certification
Jun 10, 2026
Jun 10, 2026
5 min
Learn more about the NABIP Medicare Advantage Certification. This program is another way agents can satisfy their Medicare & Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training requirements.
Read the text version
Get Connected:
🤝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 Things About the CMS 2027 MA and Part D Final Rule
FAQs About NABIP Medicare Certification
Making Cross‑Selling Less Awkward for Insurance Agents ft. Demetri Simos and Dawn Myers
The Best Appointment Schedulers for Insurance Agents
References:
“NABIP Approved Carriers.” Nabip.org, NABIP, https://www.nabiptraining.org/nabip/carriers, Accessed 9 May 2026.
“NABIP Official Website.” Nabip.org, NABIP, https://nabip.org/, Accessed 9 May 2026.
“NABIP Online Learning Institute.” Nabip.org, NABIP, https://www.nabiptraining.org/, Accessed 9 May 2026.
“NABIP Professional Development.” Nabip.Org, NABIP, nabip.org/professional-development. Accessed 9 May 2026.
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Jun 8, 2026
Jun 8, 2026
6 min
Transform your thinking, transform your insurance business. Find out how daily affirmations can be a gamechanger for your agency and yourself, personally!
Read the text version
Get Connected:
🤝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 Reasons Why Insurance Agents Fail (& How Not To!)
Cigna's ACA Exit, Certification Dates, Sleep Audio
Developing Power Habits ft. Dr. Noah St. John
How Insurance Agents Can Avoid Isolation & Build Stronger Connections ft. Dawn Myers
Overcoming Burnout in Insurance Sales ft. Dan Spitale
References:
Zhang, Yunian, et al. “The Impact of Self-Affirmation Interventions on Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis.” Apa.Org, American Psychological Association, 27 Oct. 2025, www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2025/10/self-affirmations-well-being.
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Jun 6, 2026
Jun 6, 2026
14 min
Licensed-Only Agents (LOAs) can help scale your insurance agency growth. But are they right for your insurance business? Listen to find out!
Read the text version
Get Connected:
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
📧Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Agency Team!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Resources:
6 Steps to Scale Your Insurance Business to an Agency
Before You Recruit: Setting Up Your Agency for Success
Developing an Agency — Your Guide to Getting Started
How Much Can Insurance Agents Make Selling Medicare?
How to Recruit Insurance Agents to Your Downline
Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits
The Advantages of Being a Field vs. Call Center Insurance Agent
References:
“Blueprint for Hiring Licensed-Only Agents.” Psmbrokerage.com, PSM Brokerage, https://www.psmbrokerage.com/hubfs/Blueprint%20for%20Hiring%20Licensed-Only%20Agents.pdf, Accessed 3 May 2026.
“How Much does An Accounting Software Cost?” Jaz.ai, Jaz, https://www.jaz.ai/post/accounting-software-cost, Accessed 3 May 2026.
“State Noncompete Law Tracker.” Eig.org, Economic Innovation Group, https://eig.org/state-noncompete-map/, Accessed 3 May 2026.
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Jun 5, 2026
2027 MA and Part D Max Commissions
Jun 5, 2026
Jun 5, 2026
12 min
The Friday Five for June 5, 2026:
Certification Reminder
Pod Rec: Before Breakfast
TRICARE Resources for Agents
Clover Health Star Ratings
2027 MA and Part D Max Commissions
Get Connected:
🤝 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.
Pod(cast) Rec(commendation): Before Breakfast:
Before Breakfast Podcast
Before Breakfast: Track your media
TRICARE Resources for Agents:
“TRICARE Plan Comparison Tool.” Tricare.mil, TRICARE, https://www.tricare.mil/compareplans, Accessed 3 June 2026.
“TRICARE Dental Options Fact Sheet.” Tricare.mil, TRICARE, https://tricare.mil/Publications/Fact-Sheets/dental_options, Accessed 3 June 2026.
“TRICARE Pharmacy Program Overview Fact Sheet.” Tricare.mil, TRICARE, https://tricare.mil/Publications/Fact-Sheets/pharmacy_overview, Accessed 3 June 2026.
“TRICARE Plans Overview Fact Sheet.” Tricare.mil, TRICARE, https://tricare.mil/Publications/Fact-Sheets/plans, Accessed 3 June 2026.
“TRICARE Qualifying Life Events Fact Sheet.” Tricare.mil, TRICARE, https://tricare.mil/Publications/Fact-Sheets/qle, Accessed 3 June 2026.
“TRICARE Young Adult Program Fact Sheet.” Tricare.mil, TRICARE, https://tricare.mil/Publications/Fact-Sheets/young_adult, Accessed 3 June 2026.
Clover Health Star Ratings:
Casolo, Elizabeth. “Clover beats CMS in Medicare Advantage star ratings lawsuit.” Beckerspayer.com, Becker’s Payer Issues, 29 May 2026, https://www.beckerspayer.com/legal/clover-beats-cms-in-medicare-advantage-star-ratings-lawsuit/.
“Court tells CMS to redo Clover’s Star Rating. Here’s why it should be on your radar.” Risehealth.org, Rise Health, 29 May 2026, https://www.risehealth.org/insights-articles/article/court-tells-cms-to-redo-clovers-star-rating-heres-why-it-should-be-on-your-radar/.
“Clover Insurance v. HHS: S.D. of Georgia Holds 20 Star Ratings Measures Unlawful.” Crowell.com, Crowell, 29 May 2026, https://www.crowell.com/en/insights/client-alerts/clover-insurance-v-hhs-sd-of-georgia-holds-20-star-ratings-measures-unlawful.
WEBINAR: The Star Ratings Shakeup: Court Challenges CMS Measure Authority
2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Maximum Commissions:
2027 Maximum Broker Commissions for Medicare Advantage & Medicare Part D
Mulcahy, Gerard. “Contract Year 2027 Agent and Broker Compensation Rates, Referral/Finder’s Fees, Submissions, and Training and Testing Requirements.” cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 1 June 2026, https://www.ritterim.com/documents/cms-memos/memo-agent-broker-compensation-and-training-and-testing-requirements-cy2027.pdf.
Resources:
5 Takeaways from the 2027 CMS Marketplace Final Rule for Insurance Agents
CMS Update on BALANCE Model & Medicare GLP-1 Bridge
Introducing the Integrity Health Plan
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Jun 2, 2026
Jun 2, 2026
9 min
Learn more about AHIP requirements, how certification works for insurance agents, and more! Don't stress - we've got plenty of tips to help you survive certification and the start of AEP prep season.
Read the text version
Get Connected:
🤝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:
AHIP Test Tips and Tricks for Medicare Certification
5 Things About the CMS 2027 MA and Part D Final Rule
Ritter Insurance Marketing Certification Center
References:
"AHIP Medicare + Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Training." ahip.org, AHIP, https://www.ahip.org/courses/medicare-fraud-waste-and-abuse-training, Accessed 5 May 2026.
"Corporate Partnerships." ahip.org, AHIP, https://www.ahip.org/corporate-partnerships, Accessed 5 May 2026.
"Issues AHIP Monitors." ahip.org, AHIP, https://www.ahip.org/issues, Accessed 5 May 2026.
"Online Course Catalogue." ahip.org, AHIP, https://www.ahip.org/courses, Accessed 5 May 2026.
"Our Member Organizations." ahip.org, AHIP, https://www.ahip.org/members, Accessed 5 May 2026.
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Jun 1, 2026
Jun 1, 2026
18 min
Ready to grow your insurance business? Great! Not sure where to start? Listen for our road map! We outline 6 steps to take when you want to make the jump from agent to agency.
Read the text version
Get Connected:
🤝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:
17 Ways to Generate Medicare Leads (That You Probably Haven't Tried Yet!)
Community-Based Marketing for Insurance Agents
Developing an Agency — Your Guide to Getting Started
How To Better Market Your Insurance Business
How to Grow Your Insurance Business by 45%
Learn More About IntegrityCONNECT
Insurance Agents Can Generate More Leads with a Referral Marketing Strategy
IntegrityCONNECT & PlanEnroll FAQs
IntegrityCONNECT Leads FAQs
References:
"28 Best Insurance KPIs and Metrics Examples for 2025 Reporting." insightsoftware.com, Insight Software, https://insightsoftware.com/blog/best-insurance-kpis-and-metrics/, Accessed 4 May 2026.
Twin, Alexandra. “How to Create a Compelling Value Proposition, With Examples.” Edited by Jefreda R. Brown and Timothy Li, Investopedia.Com, Investopedia, 28 Apr. 2026, www.investopedia.com/terms/v/valueproposition.asp.
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

May 29, 2026
May 29, 2026
14 min
The 2027 Marketplace Final Rule from CMS is here! Join Sarah as she pulls out takeaways for insurance agents selling ACA plans.
Get Connected:
🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Resources:
2027 ACA Final Rule Makes Strides to Reduce Premiums
Drug Story Podcast with Thomas Goetz
Drug Story: Ivermectin on 99% Invisible
How to Grow Your Insurance Business by 45%
Introducing the Integrity Health Plan
Mounjaro means something? Ffrom TBOY he Best One Yet
On ivermectin and parasites (and other things) on Drug Story
The Complete Guide on How to Sell Prescription Drug Plans
References:
“CMS Final Rules Lowers Costs, Cracks Down on Fraud, and Expands State Control.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 15 May 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-final-rule-lowers-costs-cracks-down-fraud-expands-state-control.
Minemyer, Paige. “CMS pulls back limits on non-standard ACA plans in final rule.” Fiercehealthcare.com, Fierce Healthcare, 15 May 2026, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/cms-pulls-back-limits-non-standard-aca-plans-final-rule.
“HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027 Final Rule.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 15 May 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/hhs-notice-benefit-payment-parameters-2027-final-rule.
“Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program.” Federalregister.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 20 May 2026, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/20/2026-10050/patient-protection-and-affordable-care-act-hhs-notice-of-benefit-and-payment-parameters-for-2027-and. Accessed 26 May 2026.
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

May 27, 2026
May 27, 2026
11 min
Ready to close sales with confidence? Sharpen your sales skills with three more closing techniques for insurance agents.
Read the text version
Get Connected:
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
📧Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
Resources:
4 Effective Techniques for Closing Insurance Sales
4 Tips for Making a Better Insurance Sales Pitch
How Insurance Agents Can Avoid Isolation & Build Stronger Connections ft. Dawn Myers
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

May 26, 2026
May 26, 2026
18 min
In this episode of the Agent Survival Guide, we’ll walk through four effective strategies that you can use to help close an insurance sale. We’ll teach you which technique is most effective in certain scenarios and the traits you should strive for to make any close more successful.
Read the text version
Get Connected:
🤝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:
10 Essential Tools for Beginner Insurance Agents
Getting Started Selling Medicare Supplements
Empower Your Prospects to Act Before Turning 65
Medicare Advantage Trial Rights Explained for Agents
References:
Abbott, Tom. “The Assumptive Close: A Powerful Tool for Increasing Sales.” SOCO Sales Training, 15 Apr. 2026, www.socoselling.com/the-assumptive-close/.
Copley Ph.D., Laura “How to (Re-)Build Trust in a Relationship.” PositivePsychology.Com, 8 Nov. 2025, positivepsychology.com/build-trust/.
“How to Be Confident.” Tony Robbins.com, www.tonyrobbins.com/building-confidence/how-to-be-confident. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
How to Understand Body Language and Facial Expressions, www.verywellmind.com/understand-body-language-and-facial-expressions-4147228. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
“Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment.” Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment, www.ncoa.org/article/whats-the-difference-between-medicares-open-enrollment-period-and-medicare-advantage-open-enrollment/. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
“Researcher Investigates How Our Snap Judgments Affect Society.” FABBS, 25 Jan. 2024, fabbs.org/news/2023/09/researcher-investigates-how-our-snap-judgments-affect-society/.
“What Is the Puppy Dog Close?” HubSpot Blog, blog.hubspot.com/sales/puppy-dog-close. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, and YouTube
Sarah on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

May 15, 2026
Introducing the Integrity Health Plan
May 15, 2026
May 15, 2026
14 min
The Friday Five for May 15, 2026:
Field Notes: Camp Ritter
The “Spotify 20: Your Party of the Year(s)”
TRICARE Transition from DS Logon to myAuth
Scammers Using Meta to Target Seniors
Introducing the Integrity Health Plan
Get Connected:
🤝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.
The “Spotify 20: Your Party of the Year(s)”:
“20 Days, 20 Data Drops.” Newsroom.spotify.com, Spotify, https://newsroom.spotify.com/spotify20/, Accessed 12 May 2026.
“It’s Your Party of the Year(s): A Look Back at Your Entire Music History on Spotify.” Newsroom.spotify.com, Spotify, 12 May 2026, https://newsroom.spotify.com/2026-05-12/spotify-20-personal-music-retrospective/.
Weatherbed, Jess. “Spotify’s latest ‘Wrapped’ covers your entire music history.” Theverge.com, The Verge, 12 May 2026, https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/928395/spotify-20th-anniversary-wrapped-recap.
“What 20 Years of Spotify Data Reveals About Our Listeners.” Newsroom.spotify.com, Spotify, 23 Apr. 2026, https://newsroom.spotify.com/2026-04-23/spotify-20-data-listening-trends/.
TRICARE Transition from DS Logon to myAuth:
“TRICARE logins transitioning to myAuth in 2026.” Newsroom.tricare.mil, TRICARE, 5 May 2026, https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/4477500/tricare-logins-transitioning-to-myauth-in-2026-what-you-need-to-know.
Obis, Anastasia. “TRICARE systems to transition to myAuth by the end of 2026.” Federalnewsnetwork.com, Federal News Network, 6 May 2026, https://federalnewsnetwork.com/technology-main/2026/05/tricare-systems-to-transition-to-myauth-by-the-end-of-2026/.
Scammers Using Meta to Target Seniors:
Ingram, David. “Facebook allows repeat scam artists to send ads to seniors, researchers say.” Nbcnews.com, NBC News, 11 May 2026, https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/meta-allows-repeat-scam-artists-target-seniors-report-says-rcna344068.
“How Meta Helps Medicare scammers target seniors.” Counterhate.com, Center for Countering Digital Hate, https://counterhate.com/research/scambook/, Accessed 12 May 2026.
Integrity Health Plan:
IntegrityCONNECT
Integrity Health Plan
Learn More About Integrity Benefits
The Exclusive Benefits Available By Joining Integrity through Ritter
Resources:
5 Things About the CMS 2027 MA and Part D Final Rule
Cigna's ACA Exit, Certification Dates, Sleep Audio
Content Corner: Fundamentals of Senior Finance
FMO vs. IMO vs. NMO vs. MGA vs. GA: What’s the Difference?
How to Grow Your Insurance Business by 45%
Ready-Made Marketing for Insurance Agents: Inside the Content Library
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

May 13, 2026
Content Corner: Fundamentals of Senior Finance
May 13, 2026
May 13, 2026
42 min
Don’t miss our brand-new series we’re calling Content Corner! Listen as we discuss the newest Content Library materials from Ritter Insurance Marketing - Fundamentals of Senior Finances. Keep listening for our conversation on recent internet trends and how to position them for your business marketing efforts.
Check Out the Fundamentals of Senior Finances from Ritter’s Content Library
Get Connected:
🤝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:
Best Practices for Using Ritter’s Content Library
Content Library Homepage
Cooking For Beginners
Happy, Healthy Christmas
Mastering Medicare Insurance Coverage
Medicare Basics
Senior Travel Guides
Top Spooky Spots for Halloween
Travel Tips
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

May 12, 2026
May 12, 2026
6 min
Check out Ritter Insurance Marketing's Content Library for a simple way to Educate, Entertain, and Retain your clients. In this episode, we cover what the Content Library is, what it offers, and why you should be using it today!
Read the text version
Get Connected:
🤝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:
Content Library Homepage
Content Library Best Practices
Content Library: Medicare Basics
Content Library: Senior Travel Guides
Content Library: Cooking for Beginners
Content Library: A Happy, Healthy Christmas
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, and YouTube
Sarah on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Threads
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

May 11, 2026
How to Grow Your Insurance Business by 45%
May 11, 2026
May 11, 2026
15 min
Not sure how to scale your business sustainably? We walk through specific equations agents and agencies can use (and tweak!) depending on how you'd like to grow.
Read the text version
Get Connected:
🤝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:
3 Easy Ways to Build Your Insurance Sales Territory
4 Ancillary Cross-Sales to Show Clients You Care
A Quick Guide to Cross-Selling Ancillary Insurance with Medicare Products
Ask Integrity
Developing an Agency - Your Guide to Getting Started
Best Practices for Training Downline Agents
The Complete Guide on How to Sell Final Expense Insurance
The Complete Guide to Selling Critical Illness Plans
Diversify Your Insurance Portfolio & Reap Real Rewards
How Ask Integrity Can Streamline Your Medicare Sales Appointments
How Insurance Agents Can Set SMART Goals to Succeed
How to Recruit Agents to Your Downline
The Insurance Agent’s Guide to Understanding Hospital Indemnity
IntegrityCONNECT
PlanEnroll
Remote Sales Tips for Insurance Agents
Making Cross‑Selling Less Awkward for Insurance Agents ft. Demetri Simos and Dawn Myers
The Advisor Approach: Cross-Selling by Fact-Finding
References:
"65 Customer Retention Statistics You Need to Know in 2025." SEMrush.com, SEM Rush, https://www.semrush.com/blog/customer-retention-stats/, Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
"Kellogg’s Cereal: How They Dominated the Breakfast Aisle" 42signals.com, 42 Signals, 16 Jun. 2025, https://www.42signals.com/blog/kelloggs-cereal-story-of-dominance/.
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

May 8, 2026
May 8, 2026
11 min
The Friday Five for May 8, 2026:
Quick Hits & Headlines
CMS Admin Dr. Oz on Prior Auth
Audio to Help You Sleep
Cigna to Exit ACA for CY 2027
AHIP & NABIP Dates for CY 2027
Get Connected:
🤝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.
Quick Hits & Headlines May 8, 2026:
Roth, Emma. “Apple agrees to pay iPhone owners $250 million for not delivering AI Siri.” Theverge.com, The Verge, 5 May 2026, https://www.theverge.com/tech/924706/apple-iphone-siri-intelligence-class-action-lawsuit-settlement.
Joseph, Jibin. Got an iPhone 16 or 15 Pro? Apple May Owe You Up to $95 in AI Siri Settlement.” Pcmag.com, PC Mag, 6, May 2026, https://www.pcmag.com/news/got-an-iphone-16-or-15-pro-apple-may-owe-you-up-to-95-in-ai-siri-settlement.
Malik, Aisha. “Meta will use AI to analyze height and bone structure to identify if users are underage.” Techcrunch.com, Tech Crunch, 5 May 2026, https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/05/meta-will-use-ai-to-analyze-height-and-bone-structure-to-identify-if-users-are-underage/.
“New AI-Powered Age Assurance Measures to Place Teens in Age-Appropriate Experience.” Aboutfb.com, Meta, 5 May 2026, https://about.fb.com/news/2026/05/ai-age-assurance-teens/.
Malik, Aisha. “Threads finally brings messaging to the web.” Techcrunch.com, Tech Crunch, 5 May 2026, https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/05/threads-finally-brings-messaging-to-the-web/.
CMS Admin Dr. Oz on Prior Auth:
“CMS Announces Progress on Improving Prior Authorization Process.” Youtube.com, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 5 May 2026, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taZ2VqOy38A.
“CMS Electronic Prior Authorization Progress Highlights.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.cms.gov/files/image/electronic-prior-authorization-progress-timeline.gif, Accessed 5 May 2026.
“Moving Prior Authorization into the 21st Century.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 5 May 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/blog/moving-prior-authorization-21st-century.
Audio to Help You Sleep:
ASG Podcast Audio for Sleep Playlist 🥱😴💤
Huang, Pien. “Americans aren’t sleeping enough. Here’s what could help.” Npr.org, National Public Radio, 2 May 2026, https://www.npr.org/2026/05/02/nx-s1-5807074/americans-sleep-better-hours-insomnia.
Audio for Sleep Playlist
Chapman, Bridget. “No More Silent Nights: What to Know About the Rise of Sleep Music.” Forbes.com, Forbes, 1 May 2026, https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/music-for-sleep/.
“Sleep Audio Market Research Report 2033.” Growthmarketreports.com, Growth Market Reports, https://growthmarketreports.com/report/sleep-audio-market, Accessed 5 May 2026.
Cigna to Exit ACA for CY 2027:
“Cigna Healthcare’s 2026 Footprint.” Cigna.com, Cigna, https://www.cigna.com/static/www-cigna-com/docs/ifp/m-26-fly-all-997206-ifp-broker-expansion-map-counties-customer-flyer.pdf, Accessed 5 May 2026.
“Cigna Shares Drop 2.5% After Announcing ACA Marketplace Exit in 2027.” Indexbox.io, Index Box, 4 May 2026, https://www.indexbox.io/blog/cigna-shares-drop-25-after-announcing-aca-marketplace-exit-in-2027/.
Minemyer, Paige, “Cigna to exit ACA market, pursue strategic alternatives for eviCore unit.” Fiercehealthcare.com, Fierce Healthcare, 30 Apr. 2026, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/cigna-posts-165b-profit-q1-earnings-beat.
Bannow, Tara. “Cigna will exit ACA individual markets next year, adding to tyumult for patients.” Statnews.com, Stat+, 30 Apr. 2026, https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/30/cigna-exits-aca-market-2027-369-thousand-people-affected/.
Hilton, John. “New Cigna CEO: Insurer to exit ACA, focus on ‘relentless’ push for affordability.” Insurancenewsnet.com, Insurance News Net, 30 Apr. 2026, https://insurancenewsnet.com/innarticle/new-cigna-ceo-insurer-to-exit-aca-focus-on-relentless-push-for-affordability.
Resources:
5 Things About the CMS 2027 MA and Part D Final Rule
Big Moves in Healthcare & Tech: What Insurance Agents Should Watch
CMS 2026 Prior Authorization Proposed Rule
CMS Final Rule on Fax & Snail Mail
CMS Update on BALANCE Model & Medicare GLP-1 Bridge
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
Agent Survival Guide Podcast powered by Ritter Insurance Marketing an Integrity Company.
Whether you’re just getting started or a seasoned pro in the Medicare insurance market, the ASG Podcast has got you covered. Learn marketing tips and sales strategies. Receive industry updates on Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and stay compliant. Find out how the FMO Ritter Insurance Marketing can help improve the way you sell insurance. And so much more! We'll help you survive today so you can thrive tomorrow!
Contact:
Sarah J. Rueppel
📞 1-717-562-7211
📧 asgpodcast@ritterim.com










