The Broker Link

Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) are quickly becoming one of the biggest opportunities in employee benefits, and on this episode of The Broker Link , Mike Papuc sits down with John Ross Hopkin to discuss why brokers should be paying attention. The conversation explores how ICHRAs are transforming the way employers offer health benefits by providing an alternative to t...

In this episode of The Broker Link , host Danielle Tworek sits down with Provider Relations expert Aleshia Holliday to discuss what it takes for agents to become truly indispensable to their provider partners. Aleshia shares valuable insights into the day-to-day challenges healthcare providers face, from staffing shortages and administrative burdens to increasingly complex reimbursement processes....

In this episode of The Broker Link , Mike Smith, President Emeritus, and Mike Papuc, National Health Sales Director at The Brokerage Inc., take a deep dive into the proposed Notice of Benefits and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for 2027 and 2028 and what these changes could mean for agents, carriers, and consumers. The conversation explores CMS's ongoing efforts to improve affordability, increase acces...

In this episode of The Broker Link Podcast, Leigha Hayes and Aleshia Holliday sit down to discuss the growing impact of Medicare Advantage network disruptions and what agents can do to help clients navigate these unexpected changes. Aleshia explains that provider network shifts have reached unprecedented levels, affecting more than 2.9 million Medicare beneficiaries in 2026. Unfortunately, agents...

In this episode of The Broker Link Podcast, host Chris Newberry welcomes David Seiger, long-term care specialist, to the Life Team at The Brokerage Inc. David shares his unique journey from practicing as an elder care attorney to becoming a dedicated advocate for long-term care planning and insurance solutions. Drawing on years of experience helping families navigate the challenges of aging and ca...

In this episode of The Broker Link Podcast, Mike Papuc welcomes Mike Smith, President Emeritus of The Brokerage Inc., for an important discussion on the current state of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace and what agents need to know moving forward. Mike shares his perspective on the latest developments affecting ACA plans, including marketplace trends, enrollment activity, carrier particip...

On this episode of The Broker Link Podcast , Danielle Tworek , Head of Marketing at The Brokerage Inc. , sits down with Gary Walker to discuss the strategies, mindset, and relationships that helped him build a successful insurance business. Gary shares his inspiring journey from spending 35 years in ministry to entering the insurance industry nearly a decade ago. After long hours and limited incom...

On this episode of The Broker Link Podcast , Cristal Bustillos and Chris Newberry from the life department break down the growing opportunity around life settlements and how agents can use them to better serve clients. The discussion explains that a life settlement allows a client to sell an unwanted or unaffordable life insurance policy on the secondary market. In return, the client receives comp...

On this episode of The Broker Link Podcast , host Leigha Hayes sits down with Robert Davis from Physicians Mutual to discuss innovative solutions in today's Medicare market. Robert shares details about Physicians Mutual's unique Plan G Medicare supplement , which features a disappearing deductible and lifetime discounts , often making it 20–40% more affordable than traditional Plan G options . He...

In this episode of The Broker Link Podcast , Mike Smith and Josh Slattery break down the key updates from the 2027 CMS Medicare Final Rule and what it means for agent partners. One of the biggest headlines is the rate increase for Medicare Advantage plans, rising from 0.9% to 2.48%, which injects approximately $13 billion into the system. While this funding boost is significant, it will likely inf...

In this episode of The Broker Link Podcast , Cristal Bustillos introduces Colby Cox , the new Director of Sales in the Life Department at The Brokerage Inc. Colby shares his background, from his Texas roots and time at Texas A&M University to his transition from coaching into the insurance industry. He discusses his first few weeks in the role, with a strong focus on growing the brokerage's presen...

In this episode of The Broker Link Podcast , Mike Papuc and Danielle Tworek sit down with Luis Moreno , owner of Simply Health Insurance, to discuss his 25-year journey in the insurance industry. Luis shares how he first obtained his life and health insurance license in 1999 while transitioning from a career in teaching. Over the years, he built experience across multiple areas of the industry, in...

In this episode of The Broker Link Podcast , Regional Sales Directors Cynthia Rosales and Leigha Hayes break down one of the most common questions agents face: Medicare Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage plans. The conversation begins with Original Medicare , which typically covers about 80% of approved medical costs, leaving beneficiaries responsible for the remaining 20%. Cynthia and Leigha expla...

In this episode of The Broker Link Podcast , Chris Newberry and Cristal Bustillos break down essential business insurance strategies every advisor should understand — and every business owner should implement. The conversation centers on key person insurance and buy-sell agreements , two critical tools for protecting business continuity. Key person insurance provides financial stability to a compa...

In this episode of The Broker Link , host Mike Papuc sits down with Jessica and Sabin Lopez to share the inspiring story behind the launch of Texas Power Insurance . They reflect on their early days in the industry, the challenges they faced, and the defining moment in 2021 when they made the bold decision to start their own agency. A major theme throughout the conversation is the importance of ha...

In this episode of The Broker Link , Crystal Bustillos and Chris Newberry explore a variety of insurance solutions under the theme "Insure Your Love Month," focusing on products that help protect families, legacies, and financial security. They begin with final expense insurance , highlighting its simplicity and accessibility. These policies help cover funeral costs and outstanding debts, with cov...

In this episode of The Broker Link, David Ireland and Scott Christie share valuable insights on how Medicare-focused agents can successfully grow their businesses into full-service agencies. The discussion explores two primary growth models. The traditional independent agent model focuses on building a team by hiring back-office support and recruiting independent agents to expand production. The L...

In this episode of The Broker Link , Chris Newberry is joined by Sherry Kelson and Cristal Bustillos to recap a standout year for the Life team and preview what's coming next. The conversation highlights 2025 as a milestone year—ranking as the second-best year in Life sales and the best year ever for Final Expense and Annuities . The team credits this success to agent engagement, diversification,...

In this episode of The Broker Link Podcast , Mike Papuc and Sonia Porras take a deep dive into UnitedHealthcare's growing role in the ACA market and what it means for agents and consumers. As a top-five Fortune 500 company, UHC continues to expand its footprint across multiple product lines, leveraging robust data and analytics to design plans that better meet member needs. The conversation highli...

In this episode of The Broker Link Podcast , the focus is on the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) , which runs from January 1 through March 31 . Josh Slattery breaks down what OEP means for both beneficiaries and agents, emphasizing that this window allows Medicare Advantage members to make a one-time plan change if their current coverage no longer meets their needs. The discussion...

In this episode of The Broker Link , Gillan Boyer and  Josh Slattery unpack the proposed CMS 2027 rule and what it could mean for agents, consumers, and the future of the insurance industry. The discussion highlights a clear shift toward deregulation , with several proposed changes aimed at reducing administrative burden while increasing flexibility for both agents and consumers. Key topics includ...

In this episode of The Broker Link , Gillan Boyer and Chris Newberry explore the headline-grabbing lawsuit filed by NASCAR driver Kyle Busch , who is suing Pacific Life Insurance for $8.5 million. Busch alleges that his index universal life (IUL) policy was designed to over-compensate the agent, ultimately hurting the long-term performance of his plan. Chris breaks down what's actually happening b...

In this episode of The Broker Link , National Health Sales Director Mike Papuc  breaks down what agents can expect heading into the 2026 Open Enrollment Season — especially in light of the final CMS rules. With rising demand for alternate solutions outside the ACA market, Mike introduces Presidio Healthcare , a new carrier partner now available in Texas. Mike is joined by Cameron Mason, COO of Pre...

In this episode of The Broker Link , Mike Papuc , National Health Sales Director at The Brokerage Inc., sits down with Breck Garrett , Texas Leader for Oscar , to explore the company's rapid growth and forward-thinking strategy in the ACA marketplace. Oscar has surged past 2 million members and is preparing to expand into 20 states by 2026 , including new markets like Alabama and Mississippi . Bre...

In this timely episode of The Broker Link , Mike Papuc , National Sales Director for Health at The Brokerage Inc., joins Gillan Boyer to break down what the current government shutdown discussions could mean for the Affordable Care Act and the agents serving ACA members during open enrollment. Mike outlines clear, actionable strategies to help agents navigate uncertainty—starting with segmenting t...