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

Sarah J. Rueppel | Ritter Insurance Marketing | Insurance Agent Tips, Tools & Training
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Apr 1, 2026 • 23min

The Best Appointment Schedulers for Insurance Agents

Tired of juggling phone calls, planner pages, and double-booked appointments? It might be time to level up your scheduling strategy. Listen as we compare appointment schedulers that help agents save time, stay compliant, and make booking a little easier.   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 Insurance Business Tools You Absolutely Can’t Live Without Best Practices for Writing an Email to Your Insurance Clients eBooks & Guides for Insurance Agents IntegrityCONNECT PlanEnroll What Are Agents Responsible for Under HIPAA? Where It All Begins: Obtaining Permission to Contact for Medicare Sales   Appointment Schedulers: Acuity Google Workspace Microsoft Bookings OnceHub SimplyBook.Me   References: Lurie, Matt. “20 Integrable Scheduling Tools for Small Business Systems.” Ruby, https://www.ruby.com/blog/20-of-the-best-small-business-appointment-scheduling-tools-and-apps/, Accessed 24 Feb. 2026. “Acuity Scheduling and HIPAA.” Help.acuityscheduling.com, Acuity Scheduling, https://help.acuityscheduling.com/hc/en-us/articles/16689567523597-Acuity-Scheduling-and-HIPAA. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026. “AgencyBloc Agency Management System AMS+” agencybloc.com, Agency Bloc, https://www.agencybloc.com/agency-management-system/, Accessed 24 Feb. 2026. “Google Workspace.” Workspace.google.com, Google Workspace, https://workspace.google.com/, Accessed 24 Feb. 2026. “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) & Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act.” Learn.microsoft.com, Microsoft, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/compliance/regulatory/offering-hipaa-hitech, Accessed 24 Feb. 2026. “HIPAA Compliance with Google Workspace and Cloud Identity.” Support.google.com, Google, https://support.google.com/a/answer/3407054. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026. “HIPAA for Professionals.” HHS.gov, Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/index.html, Accessed 24 Feb. 2026. “Microsoft 365 for Business.” Microsoft.com, Microsoft, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/business/no-teams-plans-and-pricing, Accessed 24 Feb. 2026. “ProducerMAX Online Scheduler.” Producermax.com, ProducerMAX, https://www.producermax.com/Online-Scheduler.html, Accessed 24 Feb. 2026. “Radius Appointment Scheduler.” Help.radiusbob.com, Radius, https://help.radiusbob.com/en/articles/5448715-appointment-scheduler, Accessed 24 Feb. 2026. “The Use of Technology and HIPAA Compliance.” Hipaajournal.com, The HIPAA Journal, 14 Jan. 2026, https://www.hipaajournal.com/the-use-of-technology-and-hipaa-compliance/. “What Is a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement?” Hipaajournal.com, The HIPAA Journal, 5 Jan. 2026, https://www.hipaajournal.com/hipaa-business-associate-agreement/.   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.
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Mar 30, 2026 • 23min

The Beginner’s Guide to D-SNPs

Learn about the value of Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) and how to get started selling! Read the text version   Learn how you can get started selling D-SNPs by calling Ritter Insurance Marketing today at 800-769-1847. Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. 🤝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 Characteristics of Agents Who Successfully Sell Special Needs Plans 4 Myths about Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) Build Your Brand with Community Involvement D-SNP Benefit Eligibility Client Letter D-SNP Checklist Help Medicare & Medicaid Clients Secure SNAP Benefits How Medicare Helps Your Clients Stay Healthy How to Check Medicare Extra Help Eligibility for Your Client How Selling Insurance Helps Give Back Midwest State D-SNP Disruption, Secure a Winning Strategy Rules for Hosting a Compliant Medicare Educational Event Should You Sell D-SNPs? SNPs: the Secret to Surviving Lock-In Stay Busy Outside of AEP With Special Enrollment Periods   References: “CY 2024 Cost Plan Enrollment and Disenrollment Guidance.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/cy-2024-ma-enrollment-and-disenrollment-guidance.pdf, Accessed 27 Mar. 2026. “MA Enrollment and Disenrollment Guidance Appendices and Exhibits.” CMS.Gov, Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/cy-2026-ma-appendices-and-exhibits.pdf,   “Medicare Managed Care Eligibility and Enrollment.” CMS.Gov, Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/medicare/enrollment-renewal/managed-care-eligibility-enrollment. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026. “Medicare Advantage Communication Requirements.” https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-422/subpart-V. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026. “Part D Communication Requirements.” https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-423/subpart-V. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026. “Special Enrollment Periods.” Medicare.gov, Medicare, https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan/special-enrollment-periods. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026. “Medicaid State Overviews.” Medicaid.gov, Medicaid, www.medicaid.gov/state-overviews. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.   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.
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Mar 27, 2026 • 16min

CMS Final Rule on Fax & Snail Mail

The Friday Five for March 27th: Macbook Neo & WWDC26 Gas Buddy for Fuel Savings The Great Nee-Doh Shortage KFF State Health Facts Resource CMS Final Rule on Fax & Snail Mail   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.   Macbook Neo & WWDC26: “Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference returns the week of June 8.” Apple.com, Apple, 23 Mar. 2026, https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/03/apples-worldwide-developers-conference-returns-the-week-of-june-8/. “WWDC26” developer.apple.com, Apple Developer, https://developer.apple.com/, Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.   Gas Buddy for Fuel Savings: Apple Store Google Play Official Website   The Great Nee-Doh Shortage: Official Website   KFF State Health Facts Resource: “Custom State Report Builder.” Kff.org, KFF, https://www.kff.org/state-health-facts/custom/, Accessed 24 Mar. 2026. “State Health Facts.” Kff.org, KFF, https://www.kff.org/state-health-facts/, Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.   CMS Administrative Simplification Final Rule: “Administrative Simplification; Adoption of Standards for Health Care Claims Attachments Transactions and Electronic Signatures Final Rule CMS-0053-F.” cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 20 Mar. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/administrative-simplification-adoption-standards-health-care-claims-attachments-transactions. “Administrative Simplification; Adoption of Standards for Health Care Claims Attachments Transactions and Electronic Signatures Proposed Rule.” cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/24/2026-05676/administrative-simplification-adoption-of-standards-for-health-care-claims-attachments-transactions, Accessed 24 Mar. 2026. “CMS Rule Phases Out Fax Machines, Snail Mail to Save Taxpayers $781.98 Million a Year.” cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 20 Mar. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-rule-phases-out-fax-machines-snail-mail-save-taxpayers-781-98-million-year.   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.
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Mar 25, 2026 • 33min

Overcoming Burnout in Insurance Sales ft. Dan Spitale

Did you know that burnout doesn’t always look like slowing down or quitting? Sometimes, it’s hiding behind fantastic production. Dan Spitale talks about how to identify burnout and switch our sales focus from the ceiling to a more sustainable target.   Get the Book - C.O.A.C.H.: Raising the Floor   Follow Dan Spitale Online: Official Website: https://www.rtfperformancecoaching.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisingthefloor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-spitale-region219/    Resources:  5 Tips for New Insurance Agents 5 Tips for Seasoned Insurance Agents Developing Power Habits ft. Dr. Noah St. John   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.
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Mar 23, 2026 • 6min

How to Save Beneficiaries Money on Prescription Drugs at a Preferred Pharmacy

Preferred pharmacies can play a massive role in the affordability of a PDP or MAPD plan for your clients. Do you know what they are and how they can change the essential math for your clients?   Read the text version   Selling Medicare Part D The Complete Guide on How to Sell Prescription Drug 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: 8 Powerful Practices for Selling Prescription Drug Plans Building Client Loyalty: More than Just a Plan   References: “Find an Aetna Medicare Network Pharmacy: Aetna Medicare.” Aetna, www.aetna.com/medicare/prescription-drugs/find-pharmacy.html#:~:text=Here%20are%20some%20of%20the,I%20request%20a%20prescription%20refill? Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.   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.
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Mar 20, 2026 • 21min

Microsoft Announces Copilot Health

The Friday Five for March 20, 2026: Rueppel Recommends Audible launches Standard Plan Universal Health Services to Acquire Talkspace Manufacturer Participation in CMS 2028 Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Microsoft Announces Copilot Health   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.   Rueppel Recommends: The Death of Social Media and the Rise of Interest Media Minemyer, Paige. “The feds will overpay Medicare Advantage plans by $76B this year, MedPAC estimates.” Fiercehealthcare.com, Fierce Healthcare, 13 Mar 2026, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/feds-will-overpay-medicare-advantage-plans-76b-year-medpac-estimates. Minemyer, Page. “Joint Economic Committee report: Medicare Advantage overpayments drive up Part B premiums.” Fiercehealthcare.com, Fierce Healthcare, 13 Mar 2026, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/joint-economic-committee-report-medicare-advantage-overpayments-drive-part-b-premiums. “Medicare Payment Policy March 2026.” Medpac.Gov, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, Mar. 2026, www.medpac.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mar26_MedPAC_Report_To_Congress_SEC.pdf. “The Part B Premium PassThrough: Medicare Advantage Overpayments Inflate Premiums for All.” Jec.Senate.Gov, Join Economic Committee, 10 Mar. 2026, www.jec.senate.gov/public/vendor/_accounts/JEC-R/issue-briefs/The%20Part%20B%20Premium%20Pass-Through.pdf.   Audible launches Standard Plan: “Audible Membership Plans & Pricing.” Audible.Com, Audible, www.audible.com/ep/memberbenefits. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026. Davies, Rowan. "Audible launches a cheaper audiobook tier that’s perfect for entry-level listeners as Spotify continues to hike prices — here’s what you get with the new $9 plan." Techradar.com, Tech Radar, 4 Mar. 2026, https://www.techradar.com/audio/audiobooks/audible-launches-a-cheaper-audiobook-tier-thats-perfect-for-entry-level-listeners-as-spotify-continues-to-hike-prices-heres-what-you-get-with-the-new-usd9-plan. Bonk, Lawrence. "Audible's new plan is $9 a month and still includes an audiobook." Engadget.com, Engadget, 3 Mar. 2026, https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/audibles-new-plan-is-9-a-month-and-still-includes-an-audiobook-credit-174641878.html. Mehrotra, Pranob. "Audible’s new Standard plan makes it easy to enjoy audiobooks for less." Digitaltrends.com, Digital Trends, 3 Mar. 2026, https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/audibles-new-standard-plan-makes-it-easy-to-enjoy-audiobooks-for-less/.   Universal Health Services to Acquire Talkspace: “Universal Health Services, Inc. to Acquire Talkspace, Inc.” Uhs.Com, Universal Health Services, Inc., 9 Mar. 2026, uhs.com/news/universal-health-services-inc-to-acquire-talkspace-inc/. Gliadkovskaya, Anastassia, and Dave Muoio. “Universal Health Services to Acquire Talkspace in $835M Deal to Build out Virtual Behavioral Health.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 9 Mar. 2026, www.fiercehealthcare.com/finance/uhs-acquire-talkspace-estimated-835-million-transaction.   Manufacturer Participation in CMS 2028 Medicare Drug Price Negotiation CMS Announces 2028 Maximum Fair Prices for 15 New Medicare-Negotiated Drugs Under Part B & D “CMS Announces Manufacturer Participation in Third Cycle of Medicare Drug Price Negotiation.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 13 Mar. 2026, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/cms-announces-manufacturer-participation-third-cycle-medicare-drug-price-negotiation. CMS Announces Part D Savings & 2026 Maximum Fair Prices for First 10 Medicare-Negotiated Drugs CMS Announces Part D Savings & 2027 Maximum Fair Prices for 15 New Medicare-Negotiated Drugs Cubanski, Juliette, and Tricia Neuman. “Key Facts About Medicare Drug Price Negotiation.” Kff.Org, KFF, 11 Mar. 2026, www.kff.org/medicare/key-facts-about-medicare-drug-price-negotiation/. “Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program: Selected Drugs for Initial Price Applicability Year 2028.” Cms.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/files/document/factsheet-medicare-negotiation-selected-drug-list-ipay-2028.pdf. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.   Microsoft Announces Copilot Health: “Introducing Copilot Health.” Mcrosoft.Ai, Microsoft, 12 Mar. 2026, microsoft.ai/news/introducing-copilot-health/. Bonifield, Stevie. “Microsoft’s Copilot Health can connect to your medical records and wearables.” Theverge.com, The Verge, 12 Mar. 2026, https://www.theverge.com/tech/893594/microsoft-copilot-health-launch. Landi, Heather. “Microsoft unveils Copilot Health as an AI health companion for consumers.” Fiercehealthcare.com, Fierce Healthcare, 12 Mar. 2026, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/ai-and-machine-learning/microsoft-unveils-copilot-health-ai-health-companion-consumers.   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.
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Mar 17, 2026 • 11min

How Plan Crosswalks Work in the ACA Marketplace

The Agent Survival Guide is discussing crosswalking in the ACA marketplace and how it can be a big deal for your clients. If you don’t know what that means or the affects it can have on coverage, you won’t want to miss this episode. Read the text version   The Complete Guide to Selling Affordable Care Act Insurance Plans ACA 101: Selling Under-65 Health Insurance   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: Everything Agents Need to Know About Selling in State-Based Marketplaces Everything You Need to Know About the ACA OEP FAQs About Selling On-Exchange & Off-Exchange Under-65 Plans How to Assist Clients with Marketplace Household Income Estimations Is the ACA Sticking Around Long Term?   References: “§ 155.335 Annual Eligibility Redetermination.” Federal Register :: Request Access, www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-B/part-155/subpart-D/section-155.335. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026. Cohen, Robin A, et al. “Products - NHIS Early Release - Health Insurance - 2010.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6 Nov. 2015, www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/insur201106.htm. “Low Cost Marketplace Health Care, Qualifying Income Levels.” HealthCare.Gov, www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026. World Population Review. “Uninsured People by State 2026.” World Population Review, 9 Feb. 2026, worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/uninsured-people-by-state.   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, and YouTube     Sarah on LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky and Threads  Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
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Mar 16, 2026 • 13min

How to Follow Up with Medicare Clients Compliantly

Don't let the fear of compliance keep you from following up with your Medicare clients. Find out how to follow up and stay within CMS guidelines for marketing and enrollment. 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 Reasons Why Ritter Should Be Your FMO Insurance Agency 4 Ways to Keep Your Medicare Business Warm This Winter Building Client Loyalty: More than Just a Plan Keys to Client Retention: Face-to-Face Communication Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Do's and Don'ts The Complete Guide to Client Loyalty and Retention   References: “Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Website.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.cms.gov/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026. “Medicare Advantage Communication Requirements.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-422/subpart-V. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026. “Medicare Part D Communication Requirements.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-423/subpart-V. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026. “Silver&Fit Website.” Silverandfit.com, Silver & Fit, https://www.silverandfit.com/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026. “SilverSneakers Website.” Tools.silversneakers.com, Silver Sneakers, https://tools.silversneakers.com/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026. “The 3-30-60-90 Day Conversation Guide.” Heinrichdev.com, Humana, https://heinrichdev.com/email/6715/Humana_3-30-60-90_Conversation_Guide.pdf. Accessed 16 Feb. 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.
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Mar 13, 2026 • 16min

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.
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Mar 11, 2026 • 15min

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.

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