The Broker Link

In this episode of Broker Link , we're joined by Mike Smith for an inside look at the NABIP Capitol Conference in Washington, D.C. This annual event brings together insurance professionals to discuss legislative updates and advocate for policies that impact Health and Medicare agents . Mike shares key takeaways from the conference, including discussions on regulatory changes, industry challenges,...

As expected, the new administration is proposing changes to the ACA Marketplace.  CMS, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has issued the "2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Proposed Rule," and we are breaking it down. In this episode of The Broker Link, we talk with The Brokerage Inc. Health Director of Operations, Belynda DiCiaccio, about what these proposed changes could mea...

Do you understand how group life insurance works?  In this episode of The Broker Link, Cristal Bustillos from our Life team shares insights into how group life insurance works.  She will also explain ways The Brokerage Inc. can help you grow your business with life insurance.  We have a list of webinars and trainings on our website that can directly assist you.  Click on this link for more informa...

In this episode of the Broker Link Podcast, Executive Vice President at The Brokerage Inc., Josh Slattery discusses the future of Medicare post-2025 AEP, focusing on industry trends and the impact of the new presidential administration. Other topics discussed include the potential changes to the Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID) program, which simplifies eligibility for benefits based on income...

If you are all taking a beat after the 2025 Medicare AEP, you are not alone.  But as we look back, we see a lot of positives.  In this 2025 recap episode, The Brokerage Inc. Executive Vice President, Josh Slattery discusses the highlights.   Some highlights include; a 36% year-over-year growth, with UnitedHealthcare leading with 1.2 million enrollments. The conversation also covers the impact of t...

There are many exciting things going on in health insurance in 2025, none bigger for The Brokerage Inc. than the additon of our new Health Regional Sales Director, Trey Owens!  In this episode of The Broker Link, our National Health Sales Director, Mike Papuc introduces us to Trey and what you can expect from our health team.   Learn more about partnering with The Brokerage Inc. by visiting our we...

February is Insure Your Love Month and it's a great time of year to talk to clients about adding life insurance or final expense to their portfolio.  In this episode of The Broker Link, Cristal Bustillos from our Life team shares strategies to talk to your clients about life insurance.  She will also explain ways The Brokerage Inc. can help you grow your business with life insurance.  We have a li...

If you enjoyed Part 1, you will love Part 2 of A Recipe for Success: Jeremy Cutlip's Rise in Insurance episode.  In this episode, Mike Papuc and John Ross Hopkin from our Health team continue the conversation with Jeremy and learn how he grew his insurance business in just 7 years with The Brokerage Inc. Jeremy's story starts in the restaurant industry where he created and cultivated many relation...

How can you go from working in the restaurant industry to thriving as an insurance agent?  It may not be everyone's story but it is agent Jeremy Cutlip's journey.  In this episode of The Broker Link, Mike Papuc and John Ross Hopkin from our Health team sit down with Jeremy to hear his story of success in just 7 years with The Brokerage Inc. Jeremy's story starts in the restaurant industry where he...

Happy 2025 and welcome to a new season of The Broker Link podcast!  We hope this year will be the best year for everyone! We are kicking off the year with a look at how to grow your book of business by adding life insurance.  This is a great time of year to consider adding different products to your portfolio.  Life insurance is something you can sell year-round. Cristal Bustillos is our Marketing...

Agents' questions these days revolve around how the election will impact our industry. The news is pretty favorable. We asked one man, who is always in the know about the insurance business, to break it down for us.  This episode of The Broker Link features John Greene, formerly the Sr. VP at NABIP and now the founder of Tri-Bridge Resolution LLC.  John spoke with The Brokerage Inc.'s Executive Vi...

Are you still a little confused about the redesign of Part D of this AEP?  There are some changes you need to understand.  There is also a solution to help your clients get their prescription drugs.  It's the Canadian Medstore.  In this episode of The Broker Link, The Brokerage Inc. Executive Vice President, Josh Slattery talks with Bill Hepscher about the top drugs offered by The Candian Medstore...

Have you heard the news about some Medicare Advantage plans changing to non-commissionable plans?  We are about halfway through AEP, but some of the carriers have made adjustments to their commissions.  In this episode of The Broker Link, The Brokerage Inc. Executive Vice President Josh Slattery gives some insight into the changes to these plans.  Josh will also provide some clarity into the diffe...

While selling Medicare and ACA, don't forget to include Life insurance in your client's portfolio.  Each of our Brokerage Inc. 2025 AEP Kickoff events included a discussion with our Life Sales Director, Chris Newberry and Tyler End the CEO of Retirable.   We wanted to share this discussion in a look back at our events.   Our Life team is always available to discuss adding life insurance to your po...

We covered a lot of information during The Brokerage Inc. 2025 AEP Kickoff events including information on selling other products.   As look back at one of the panel discussions we do a deep dive into selling ACA or health insurance products.  The Brokerage Inc. National Health Sales Director, Mike Papuc hosted a discussion with various reps on diversifying with ACA & ancillary products. Included...

During The Brokerage Inc. 2025 AEP Kickoff events, we hosted panels discussing important information for insurance agents as they prepare for their selling season.  We look back at these discussions in this replay from the DFW event. One of our Regional Sales Directors from the DFW area, Leigha Hayes talks with reps from the top Provider Marketing carriers to discuss how to partner with them for 2...

Here's another chance to catch up on some of the panel discussions The Brokerage Inc. had at their annual 2025 AEP Kickoff events as agents start their selling season.   We look back at these discussions in this replay from the DFW event. Our President Emeritus, Mike Smith talks with reps from the top Medicare Supplement carriers to discuss the plan benefits for 2025.   Included are reps from: Aet...

During The Brokerage Inc. 2025 AEP Kickoff events, we hosted panels discussing important information for insurance agents as they prepare for their selling season.  We are taking a look back at these discussions in this replay from the DFW event. Our Executive Vice President, Josh Slattery talks with reps from the top Medicare Advantage carriers to discuss the plan benefits for 2025.   Included ar...

Were you able to make it to one of our annual AEP roadshows this year?  If not, we have you covered.  Fresh off our 7 Annual AEP Kickoff events,  we are sharing some of our discussions. The first is a discussion titled "Fireside Chat on the Inflation Reduction Act Impact & Part D with our Executive Vice President, Josh Slattery and Bill Hepscher, Founder of The Canadian Medstore.  It is an in-dept...

If you have been around since the beginning of Facebook, you have probably noticed differences in how you see and share your content.  The same goes for Facebook Ads.  The Facebook algorithm is creating better results for organic content and stories rather than ads. In this episode of The Broker Link, Bob Whitis with BrightFire busts a few myths about using Facebook Ads for Independent Insurance A...

Are you planning on attending one of The Brokerage Inc. Kickoff events?  We really hope to see you there!  Each year at the time The Brokerage Inc. hosts a kickoff event in four Texas cities.  This year we have expanded it into three more.  These events are to help our agents prepare for the upcoming AEP and OEP. We have already hosted our Miami, Tampa, and El Paso roadshows but have four more com...

Have you considered using AI in your business?  What is the best way to use it?  It can be very effective if used properly. In this episode of The Broker Link, we talk with Bob Whitis from BrightFire.  BrightFire provides a suite of tools for digital marketing solutions.  So how can you use AI in your insurance business?  One way is for brand awareness and messaging.  Another way to use it is for...

Wouldn't it be great if insurance agents could have a place to go to help inform and keep their clients?  Now you do.  The Brokerage Inc. is offering its agents a way to stay in touch and provide the very latest, up-to-date information.  It's called the Member Retention Program and is now available. In this episode of The Broker Link, The Brokerage Inc. Executive Vice President, Josh Slattery intr...

Do you understand all the changes coming to Medicare Part D in 2025?  These changes are significant so we decided to run through everything you need to know! In this episode of The Broker Link, Josh Slattery, Executive VP at The Brokerage Inc. and Regional Sales Director, David Ireland talk through all of the changes. They will help you: Understand the critical Part D changes for 2025 and how it i...

As we approach the insurance selling season, it's time to review and strategize your techniques for selling.  In this episode of The Broker Link, we peek in on a presentation by our National Health Sales Director, Mike Papuc on mastering your sales technique. You will gain insights on understanding client pain points, positioning yourself as a multifaceted solution maker, and practical strategies...