Agent Survival Guide Podcast

Sarah J. Rueppel | Ritter Insurance Marketing
  • 4.6 (43)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 2D AGO

    Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Demonstration

    The Friday Five for March 13, 2026: Headline Quick Hits AI & Critical Thinking CMS Notification: 1.3 Million MBI Reassignments 2026 Medicare Part D Enrollment Stats Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Demonstration   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.   AI & Critical Thinking: Peck, Emily. “AI overuse could spark “brain fry,” new research finds.” Axios.com, Axios, 6 Mar. 2026, https://www.axios.com/2026/03/06/ai-chatgpt-claude-jobs-brain-fry. Landymore, Frank. “AI Use at Work is Causing “Brain Fry,” Researchers Find, Especially Among High Performers.” Futurism.com, Futurism, 6 Mar. 2026, https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-brain-fry. Zak, Lana. “Is AI productivity prompting burnout? Study finds new pattern of “AI brain fry.” Cbsnews.com, CBS, 8 Mar. 2026, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-ai-productivity-prompting-burnout-study-finds-new-pattern-of-ai-brain-fry/. Fakurian, Milad. “It’s tempting to offload your thinking to AI. Cognitive science shows why that’s a bad idea.” Theconversation.com, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026, https://theconversation.com/its-tempting-to-offload-your-thinking-to-ai-cognitive-science-shows-why-thats-a-bad-idea-276766. Bedard, Julie, et al. “When Using AI Leads to ‘Brain Fry.’” Hbr.Org, Harvard Business Review, 5 Mar. 2026, hbr.org/2026/03/when-using-ai-leads-to-brain-fry.   CMS Plan Notification of 1.3 Million MBI Reassignments: 1.3 Million Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers to Be Reissued in March 2026   2026 Part D Enrollment States: “Analyzing Changes in Medicare Part D Enrollment for 2026.” Kff.org, KFF, 3 Mar. 2026, https://www.kff.org/medicare/analyzing-changes-in-medicare-part-d-enrollment-for-2026/.   Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Demonstration: “Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 3 Mar. 2026, https://hpms.cms.gov/app/ng/home/. Cubanski, Juliette. “What Medicare’s Temporary Program Covering GLP-1s for Obesity Means for Beneficiaries.” Kff.org, KFF, 9 Mar. 2026, https://www.kff.org/quick-take/what-medicares-temporary-program-covering-glp-1s-for-obesity-means-for-beneficiaries/.   Headline Quick Hits: Malik, Aisha. “Macbook Neo, iPhone 17e, and everything else Apple announced this week.” Techcrunch.com, Tech Crunch, https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/04/everything-apple-announced-macbook-neo-iphone-17e-ipad-air/. Fried, Ina. “Exclusive: Meta hires duo behind Moltbook.” Axios.com, Axios, 10 Mar. 2026, https://www.axios.com/2026/03/10/meta-facebook-moltbook-agent-social-network.   Resources: CMS Crush Initiative How the BALANCE Model Will Help Medicare Part D & Medicaid Enrollees Access GLP-1s Medicare and Medicaid to Start Covering GLP-1 Drugs for Beneficiaries Using a SWOT Analysis to Review Your Insurance Business   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.

    16 min

  2. 4D AGO

    CMS Announces Part D Savings & 2027 Maximum Fair Prices for 15 New Medicare-Negotiated Drugs

    Don’t miss the 2nd round of Medicare Part D negotiated drug prices. Get the details on the prescriptions and savings for Medicare beneficiaries in 2027.   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: CMS Announces Part D Savings & 2026 Maximum Fair Prices for First 10 Medicare-Negotiated Drugs What the Inflation Reduction Act Means for Your Medicare & ACA Clients   References: “CMS Delivers Savings for Seniors on 15 Major Drugs for Cancer and Chronic Disease.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 25 Nov. 2025, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-delivers-savings-seniors-15-major-drugs-cancer-chronic-disease. “Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program: Final Guidance, Implementation of Sections 1191 – 1198 of the Social Security Act for Initial Price Applicability Year 2028 and Manufacturer Effectuation of the Maximum Fair Price in 2026, 2027, and 2028.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 30 Sep. 2025, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/ipay-2028-final-guidance.pdf.   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  Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

    15 min

  3. 5D AGO

    5 Strategies to Sell More ACA Products

    Do you know the strategies to meet your ambitious sales goals this OEP? We share the five tips that will have your clients trusting you with their insurance needs for years to come.   Learn How to Survive OEP Join Ritter on HealthSherpa with Code FB05   🤝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:  6 Ways to Generate ACA Leads ACA 101: Selling Under-65 Health Insurance Agent Registration Building Client Loyalty: More than Just a Plan FAQs About Selling On-Exchange & Off-Exchange Under-65 Plans How Insurance Agents Can Learn About Their Social Media Audience How to Ask Your Current Clients for Referrals Keys to Client Retention: Digital Communication   References: “All Topics.” HealthCare.Gov, www.healthcare.gov/topics/. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026. Johnson, Jon. “Decision Fatigue: Effects, Causes, Signs, and How to Combat It.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 7 July 2020, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/decision-fatigue. “Fast, Easy ACA Enrollment.” HealthSherpa, www.healthsherpa.com/agents/features. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026. “In-Person Assistance in the Health Insurance Marketplaces.” CMS.Gov, 19 Sept. 2025, www.cms.gov/marketplace/in-person-assisters/programs-procedures/in-person-assistance. “Internet, Broadband Fact Sheet.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 20 Nov. 2025, www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/internet-broadband/.   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.

    9 min

  4. MAR 6

    CMS CRUSH Initiative

    The Friday Five for March 6, 2026: CMS Updates Deadline for GENEROUS CMS Makes Updates to Medicare.gov CMS Deferment of Minnesota Federal Medicaid Funding CMS DMEPOS Enrollment Moratorium CMS CRUSH Request for Information   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.   CMS Updates Deadline for GENEROUS Participation: "CMS Announces New Drug Payment Model to Strengthen Medicaid and Better Serve Vulnerable Americans" cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 6 Nov. 2025, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-announces-new-drug-payment-model-strengthen-medicaid-better-serve-vulnerable-americans. "CMS to Lower Drug Costs and Improve Care by Extending Deadline for GENEROUS Model Application" cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2 Mar. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-lower-drug-costs-improve-care-extending-deadline-generous-model-application. "GENEROUS (GENErating cost Reductions fOr U.S. Medicaid) Model" cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/generous, Accessed 3 Mar. 2026. "GENErating cost Reductions fOr U.S. Medicaid (GENEROUS) Model" cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 27 Feb. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/files/generous-rfa.pdf.   CMS Makes Updates to Medicare.gov: “Medicare.gov Enhanced Log In.” cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 3 Mar. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-gov-enhanced-log. “Official Website.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.medicare.gov/, Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.   CMS CRUSH Initiative: Submit Your Comment “Request for Information (RFI) Related to Comprehensive Regulations To Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH).” Federalregister.gov, Federal Register, 27 Feb. 2026, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/27/2026-03968/request-for-information-rfi-related-to-comprehensive-regulations-to-uncover-suspicious-healthcare#open-comment. “Trump Administration Prioritizes Affordability by Announcing Major Crackdown on Health Care Fraud.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 25 Feb. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-prioritizes-affordability-announcing-major-crackdown-health-care-fraud.   Resources: 2026 MA Enrollment, a NIPR Scam & Spring Coffee Menus Instagram Basics for Insurance Agents The Benefits of Selling Medicare Special Needs Plans Using a SWOT Analysis to Review Your Insurance Business   Follow Us on Social!    Ritter Insurance Marketing: 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 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance       Sarah J. Rueppel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

    12 min

  5. MAR 4

    Using a SWOT Analysis to Review Your Insurance Business

    Review, organize, and plan for 2026 with a SWOT analysis! Discover what SWOT is and how it can help you create a plan for your insurance business. 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: Building a Business Plan Knight School Module Q1 ACA Sales Calendar Q1 Medicare Sales Planner Things to Think About Post-AEP Things to Think About Post-OEP   References: Dunne, Kevin. “Swot Analysis.” Mindtools.com, Mindtools, 2025 Aug. 6, https://www.mindtools.com/amtbj63/swot-analysis/. “SWOT Analysis.” Eda.Gov, U.S. Economic Development Administration, www.eda.gov/resources/comprehensive-economic-development-strategy/content/swot-analysis. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026. Raeburn, Alicia. “SWOT analysis: Examples and templates.” Asana.com, Asana, 2026 Jan. 2, https://asana.com/resources/swot-analysis. Kenton, Will. “SWOT: What Is It, How It Works, and How to Perform an Analysis.” Edited by Cierra Murphy and Vikki Velasquez, Investopedia.Com, Investopedia, 19 Dec. 2025, www.investopedia.com/terms/s/swot.asp.   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.

    11 min

  6. MAR 2

    Instagram Basics for Insurance Agents

    Sarah loves Instagram, but does that mean it’s a viable marketing tool for insurance agents? Listen as she evaluates the ‘gram for agent use and learn how you can do the same.     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:  2016 vs. 2026: The Insurance Edition Field Notes on Digital Marketing Resources Optimize Your Online Presence ft. Aaron Kassover Sarah’s Instagram Profile Social Media Marketing for Insurance Agents   References:  “About Professional Accounts on Instagram.” Help.Instagram.Com, Instagram, help.instagram.com/138925576505882/. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025 Gottfried, Jeffrey, and Eugenie Park. “Americans’ Social Media Use 2025.” Pewresearch.Org, Pew Research Center, 20 Nov. 2025, www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/11/20/americans-social-media-use-2025/. “Convert an Instagram Personal Profile to a Business Profile .” Help.Hootsuite.Com, Hootsuite, 21 Oct. 2025, help.hootsuite.com/hc/en-us/articles/1260804251950-Convert-an-Instagram-Personal-profile-to-a-Business-profile. “How to Set up a Business Account on Instagram.” Help.Instagram.Com, Instagram, help.instagram.com/502981923235522/. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025. “How to Set up a Creator Account on Instagram.” Help.Instagram.Com, Instagram, help.instagram.com/2358103564437429/. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.   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.

    19 min

  7. FEB 27

    2026 MA Enrollment, a NIPR Scam & Spring Coffee Menus

    The Friday Five for February 27, 2026: [01:02] ☕Starbucks Spring 2026 Menu  [02:45] 🧋Dunkin’ Spring 2026 Menu  [05:25] 📺 Instagram for TV  [08:22] ⚠️ NIPR Phishing Alert  [10:59] 📊 2026 MA Enrollment Stats    Register for Craig Ritter’s State of the Senior Market   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.   Starbucks Spring 2026 Menu: “Starbucks previews 2026 spring menu with new chai, ube and Energy Refreshers drinks.” About.starbucks.com, Starbucks, 26 Jan. 2026, https://about.starbucks.com/stories/2026/starbucks-previews-2026-spring-menu-with-new-chai-coconut-and-lavender-drinks/. Morea, Steven. “Starbucks’ Spring 2026 Menu Is Here & Fans Have Thoughts.” Delish.com, Delish, 29 Jan. 2026, https://www.delish.com/food-news/a70176840/starbucks-spring-2026-menu/.   Dunkin’ Spring 2026 Menu: Tenreyo, Tatiana. “Dunkin’s Rumored 18-Item Spring Menu Could Kick Off a Full Banana Boom.” Sporked.com, Sporked, 4 Feb. 2026, https://sporked.com/article/dunkin-spring-2026-menu/. Baker, Nicolette. “Dunkin’s Spring Menu Is Going Bananas.” Foodandwine.com, Food & Wine, 10 Feb. 2026, https://www.foodandwine.com/dunkin-spring-menu-leak-2026-11902405. Umholtz, Katelyn. “Yes, it’s true: Dunkin’ is selling iced coffee in 48-ounce buckets.” Boston.com, Boston.com, 24, Feb. 2026, https://www.boston.com/food/food-news/2026/02/24/dunkin-iced-coffee-buckets/.   Instagram for TV: “Introducing Instagram for TV.” About.instagram.com, Instagram, 16 Dec. 2025, https://about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/instagram-tv-app. Malik, Aisha. “Instagram’s TV app is launching on Google TV devices.” Techcrunch.com, TechCrunch, 24 Feb. 2026, https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/24/instagrams-tv-app-is-launching-on-google-tv-devices/.   NIPR Phishing Alert: Content Library: Identifying Scams and How to Protect Yourself* How to Keep Clients Safe From Insurance Fraud "National Insurance Professional Registry." Nipr.com, NIPR, https://nipr.com/help, Accessed 25 Feb. 2026. Unsure about a NIPR email? Verify first by emailing: niprbillingdept@nipr.com   2026 MA Enrollment Stats: Fuglesten Biniek, Jeannie et. al. "Medicare Advantage Enrollment Grew by About 1 Million People, Mainly Due to Special Needs Plans." KFF.org, KFF, 23 Feb. 2026, https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-enrollment-grew-by-about-1-million-people-mainly-due-to-special-needs-plans/. “Monthly Contract and Enrollment Summary Report.” CMS.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.cms.gov/data-research/statistics-trends-and-reports/medicare-advantagepart-d-contract-and-enrollment-data/monthly-contract-and-enrollment-summary-report. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.   More Episodes You’ll Love: CMS 2027 MA & Part D Advance Notice State of the Senior Market 2026 The Insurance Agent’s Quick Guide to Med Supp Birthday Rule States   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. *Requires RitterIM.com login. Not registered? No problem! Registering is FREE and takes less than a minute.

    16 min

  8. FEB 25

    The Benefits of Selling Medicare Special Needs Plans

    After the grind of Annual Enrollment, the reality of lock-in can be a little defeating, even for the most seasoned agents. If you’ve been feeling that way, listen to learn more about Special Needs Plans and their place in your post-AEP strategy.   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 D-SNP Market Snapshot 4 Myths About Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) Sales Carriers Partnered with Ritter 5 Ways to Generate Medicare Leads Diversify Your Insurance Portfolio & Reap Real Rewards Do's and Don'ts of Medicare Compliance Stay Busy Outside of AEP With Special Enrollment Periods The Beginner's Guide to D-SNPs The Complete Guide on How to Sell D-SNPs The Guide to Prospecting and Selling C-SNPS Things to Think About Post-AEP   References: “U.S. Enrollment and Spending for Dual-Eligible Individuals.” KFF.org, KFF, https://www.kff.org/interactive/state-profiles-for-dual-eligible-individuals/united-states/enrollment-and-spending-for-dual-eligible-individuals/, Accessed 26 Jan. 2026. “Your 101 Guide to Dual Eligibility in 2025.” Spark Advisors, Spark Advisors, 28 May 2025, www.sparkadvisors.com/resource/your-101-guide-to-dual-eligibility-in-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    Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

    8 min
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4.6
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah J. Rueppel | Ritter Insurance Marketing
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    218
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2017-2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Agent Survival Guide Podcast

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