Health Insurance Sherpa

Headlines this week say hundreds of thousands of people are losing their ACA coverage - but what's really going on? In this episode, Lisa breaks down the CMS announcement canceling about 315,000 enrollments covering roughly 760,000 people so far, over suspected fraud, plus over 400,000 more being asked to re-verify eligibility. You'll learn what's changing for 2027 open enrollment, including a new...

Open enrollment isn't just a deadline - it's your yearly chance to make sure your health coverage is actually working for you. In this episode, Lisa walks through five simple steps that can help you save money and avoid costly surprises, from double-checking your income to making sure your doctor is still in network. Plus, an Arizona-specific look at reduced or even free insulin costs and chronic...

Medicare's 2027 Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. This is your window each year to review and change your Medicare coverage for 2027.  In this episode of Health Insurance Sherpa, Lisa Martin talks with Medicare Mike about what AEP is, what's changing with Part D drug plans next year (a higher deductible, a new out-of-pocket max, and shifting insurer subsidies...

Open Enrollment 2027 is coming, and your Sherpa has the map. In this episode, Lisa breaks down exactly what you need to close out 2026 right and walk into 2027 prepared: key dates, new Marketplace verification steps, and why some clients may need to actively re-enroll this year instead of coverage renewing automatically. Whether you're a returning client or applying for the first time, you'll get...

Everyone tells you short-term health insurance is "cheap coverage." Almost no one tells you what that price actually buys — or what it quietly leaves out.           In this episode, I sit down with Kim Anderson of Black Gould / Warner Pacific to pull back the curtain on short-term plans: what they really cover, where the gaps hide, and why 2026's ACA premium shock has more people asking about them...

Life changes fast—and your health insurance options may change too. In this episode, Lisa breaks down qualifying life events, Special Enrollment Periods, and the key steps to take after a marriage, new baby, move, job change, or loss of coverage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

In this episode of The Health Insurance Sherpa, Lisa Martin sits down with Chris Keel of Emerson Rogers to talk about group health insurance for Arizona’s small businesses—even businesses with just two employees enrolling.     Lisa and Chris walk through two options: traditional fully insured plans and alternative-funding plans. They’ll discuss eligibility, employer contributions, medical underwri...

Should you delay Medicare when you’re still on an employer plan? In this episode, “Medicare Mike” (Mike Markham) explains how employer size—especially whether your workplace has fewer than 20 employees—can change who pays first, your risk for late enrollment penalties, and the best path for timing your Medicare enrollment.           You’ll also hear a practical checklist of questions to ask before...

In this episode, Lisa Martin and guest Kim Anderson break down Arizona’s 2026 ACA specialty plans for people living with diabetes, COPD, and other ongoing health needs. They’ll explain how some condition-focused plans may include free or lower-cost care for key services and help listeners compare options with confidence. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice...

Get an exclusive insider look at the Arizona individual health insurance marketplace from a broker's perspective.  Lisa is joined by her long-time general agent, Kim Anderson of Black, Gould & Associates. Together, they break down all seven insurance carriers offering Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans in Arizona for the current 2026 enrollment year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privac...

Choosing a health plan isn’t just about the premium - it’s about the network. In this episode, Lisa Martin breaks down how ACA networks work for 2026, with a special focus on Arizona where all marketplace plans are HMOs. You’ll learn why simply recognizing a big insurance company name isn’t enough, how to properly verify if your doctors are in-network, and the exact question you should be asking e...

Turning 65 brings a flood of Medicare decisions, confusing mailers, and important choices that can impact your healthcare for years to come. In this episode of Health Insurance Sherpa , Lisa Martin sits down with longtime Medicare advisor Mike Markham to break down the Medicare maze. Together they explain the basics of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, how Medicare Advantage compares to Medicare Supp...

Lisa breaks down the confusing world of health insurance into simple, practical terms anyone can understand. Whether you're shopping for coverage on Healthcare.gov, reviewing your employer benefits, or simply trying to make better healthcare decisions, this episode provides the foundation you need. You'll learn the five core insurance concepts that impact your healthcare costs—premiums, copays, de...

Are you taking full advantage of your Health Savings Account (HSA)? Whether you have coverage through your employer or an ACA Bronze plan, an HSA could be one of the most powerful financial tools available to you. In this episode, Health Insurance Sherpa Lisa Martin sits down with Jonathan Fagan of Wilde Wealth to explore why financial advisors love HSAs and how individuals and families can use th...

Welcome to the very first episode of Your Health Insurance Sherpa! In this debut episode, Lisa Martin shares the personal journey that led her into the health insurance industry and the mission behind this podcast. What started as a career leap of faith more than 20 years ago became a calling to help individuals, families, and small business owners navigate one of the most confusing—and important—...

A sneak peek at what's ahead...