In this episode, Crystal Bustillos from The Brokerage Inc. dives into the critical role life insurance plays in achieving financial independence and long-term security . She explains how life insurance not only provides peace of mind by covering funeral costs and lost income , but also offers living benefits through permanent policies like Whole Life or Indexed Universal Life . These policies can build cash value —a flexible financial tool that can be used for emergencies , retirement income , o...
Jul 01, 2025•8 min
In this episode, we break down the CMS Final Rule for the 2025 Marketplace and what it means for agents, insurers, and consumers. Key highlights include: Past-due premium enforcement : Carriers may require payment of prior premiums before activating new coverage, with flexibility for state-specific rules. Standardized Open Enrollment : → 2026 : Nov 1 – Jan 15 → 2027 and beyond : Federal deadline of Dec 15 Tighter eligibility verification : 75% of applications will be randomly selected for verifi...
Jun 26, 2025•22 min
In this episode, we dive into the growing trend of non-commissionable Medicare Advantage plans and what it means for agents and the industry. Josh Slattery, Executive VP of The Brokerage Inc. and a seasoned expert in the Medicare space, explains that carriers are labeling certain plans as non-commissionable primarily to curb financial losses, often driven by low profitability, plan redundancy , or rising costs. A major talking point is UnitedHealthcare’s decision to make 15% of its PPO portfolio...
Jun 24, 2025•34 min
In this episode, Cheryl Chapman, Annuities Specialist with 19 years of experience, joins Sherry Kelson, Director of the Life Team at The Brokerage Inc., to break down what agents need to know about annuities. Cheryl walks through the key requirements for selling annuities, including: A life and health license State-specific certifications Anti-money laundering (AML) training Errors & omissions (E&O) coverage Product-specific training She explains the main types of annuities— fixed , inde...
Jun 17, 2025•11 min
In this episode of The Broker Link , Mike Papuc and Trey Owens from the Health team at The Brokerage Inc., explore what it means to be truly independent as an insurance agent. They break down the importance of carefully reading and negotiating contracts, ensuring agents aren't locked into unfavorable terms that limit their growth. Trey shares why being a 1099 agent is essential for long-term success and business control, while Mike talks about the power of ongoing support through tools like Mond...
Jun 10, 2025•12 min
In this episode, Chris Newberry from The Brokerage joins Cory Procter , founder of Pro Capital , to explore what it means to take a truly holistic approach to financial practice . Chris emphasizes that advisors must go beyond selling just Medicare or life insurance, advocating for a broader suite of services that meet clients’ evolving financial needs. Cory shares his powerful personal journey from financial instability to building a career in wealth management , highlighting the value of long-t...
Jun 03, 2025•35 min
In this special episode, Mike Smith of The Brokerage Inc. leads a timely and insightful panel discussion from the FMO Summit, joined by two distinguished guests: John Greene, Founder & Principal of Tri-Branch Resolution LLC, and Nick Uehlecke, Principal at Todd Strategy Group. Together, they unpack the latest legislative and regulatory developments surrounding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Listeners will gain insider perspectives on key policy shifts, implications f...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 4 min
In this episode of The Broker Link , Trey Owens and Mike Papuc dive into platform updates designed to simplify and enhance the onboarding experience for insurance agents. They address a common industry problem: agents often feel forgotten after joining. TBI is tackling this through ongoing support tools, including brief, twice-weekly training sessions and a personalized white glove contracting service. The episode also discusses TBI's financial incentive called Brokerage Bucks , offering agents ...
May 13, 2025•16 min
In this insightful episode, Crystal Bustillos joins the show to spotlight the often-overlooked topic of disability insurance , timed perfectly with Disability Insurance Awareness Month . Crystal emphasizes that a client’s income is their most valuable financial asset , and protecting it should be a top priority. She breaks down the differences between short-term and long-term disability insurance , helping agents understand when each type makes sense. Crystal also covers disability riders —custo...
May 06, 2025•12 min
This episode of the Broker Link podcast discusses the upcoming Life Symposium on May 20 at the new Flower Mound office. Chris Newberry and Crystal Bustillos from the Life team highlight new features like the Vive platform for term insurance, which allows agents to run quotes and apply directly. The symposium will cover various life insurance products, including term, IUL, long-term care, final expense, and worksite products. It will feature presentations from carriers and other partners, with a ...
Apr 22, 2025•10 min
Marketing & Sales Strategies to Maximize Event Success In this episode of Broker Link , Cynthia Rosales , Regional Sales Director at The Brokerage Inc. , with 28 years of experience in Medicare sales, discussed the importance of differentiating between sales and educational events, emphasizing the need for reporting in sales events. She advised choosing venues where seniors gather, such as restaurants or senior centers, and securing dates consistently. Rosales recommended a budget under $15 ...
Apr 15, 2025•25 min
What Agents Really Want from an FMO In this episode of Broker Link, Trey Owens from The Brokerage Inc. sits down with experienced agent Lewis to explore what truly matters to agents when choosing an FMO (Field Marketing Organization) . Louis shares valuable insights from the field, warning agents to steer clear of FMOs offering “free leads” —often a red flag for low-quality support. Instead, he stresses the importance of partnering with an FMO that provides real value , including carrier connect...
Apr 08, 2025•10 min
In this episode of Broker Link , Cristal Bustillos with The Brokerage Inc. Life team dives into the critical role of life insurance in legacy planning. She breaks down how it helps manage estate taxes, facilitates charitable giving, and ensures a smooth wealth transfer. Cristal also explains how life insurance provides liquidity for illiquid assets li ke family farms or businesses, helping families avoid financial strain. Plus, she highlights how it can bypass probate, saving time and legal cost...
Apr 01, 2025•10 min
The Brokerage Inc. is so excited to announce Yunior Santana is joining the company as a new Regional Sales Director in Florida. Yunior is an experienced agent and agency owner in the Miami area and is a great addition to our sales team. Yunior takes over for Carl-Philippe Denis, who has been promoted to Senior National Sales Director. In this episode of The Broker Link, get to know Yunior and what he brings to the Brokerage team and the state of Florida. Learn more about partnering with The Brok...
Mar 25, 2025•15 min
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, and what agents need to know moving forward. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the in...
Mar 18, 2025•20 min
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 mean for the ACA Marketplace. Some of the topics include: Strengthening Income Verification Modifyin...
Mar 12, 2025•22 min
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 information: https://thebrokerageinc.com/event-type/life-insurance Learn more about partnering with The Brokera...
Mar 04, 2025•12 min
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 rather than specific chronic illnesses. If you haven't listened to Part 1, click here first . Learn...
Feb 25, 2025•21 min
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 the Inflation Reduction Act on standalone Part D members and the importance of D-SNP enrollments. The pod...
Feb 18, 2025•20 min
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 website, www.thebrokerageinc.com . Remember to like, share, and subscribe to our show! New episodes are a...
Feb 11, 2025•24 min
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 list of webinars and trainings on our website that can directly assist you. Click on this link for more i...
Feb 04, 2025•8 min
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 relationships. Those relationships helped him transition to becoming a successful insurance agent. If you mis...
Jan 28, 2025•44 min
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 created and cultivated many relationships. Those relationships helped him transition to becoming a su...
Jan 21, 2025•47 min
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 Support on our life team. She will be with us each month to give us insightful information about how l...
Jan 14, 2025•10 min
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 Vice President, Josh Slattery, and Marketing Director, Gillan Boyer about what to expect in a second Tru...
Nov 14, 2024•41 min
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 you can offer your clients for only $50 a month. Those drugs include: Eliquis (5 mg) Xarelto (20 mg) Fa...
Nov 12, 2024•35 min
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 differences between non-commissionable and suppression. If you would like a closer look at all of these comm...
Nov 08, 2024•11 min
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 portfolio. If you want to watch each of these panel discussions, you can visit our website, www.thebrokerag...
Nov 06, 2024•13 min
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 are reps from: Aetna Ambetter Blue Cross/Blue Shield Cigna UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare Golden...
Oct 29, 2024•26 min
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 2025. Included are reps from: CenterWell WellMed If you want to watch each of these panel discussions,...
Oct 22, 2024•17 min
