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, and a strong focus on education and support.

Looking ahead to 2026, several exciting initiatives are on the horizon. The team reintroduces the Life Bonus Program, designed to reward agents based on production, along with Brokerage Bucks, which allows agents to earn credits simply by submitting business. They also discuss the rollout of the Firelight platform, which will streamline quoting and submissions to improve efficiency and ease of use.

Ongoing education remains a top priority, with plans for monthly webinars, personalized training sessions, and the introduction of a customized life insurance menu to better support agents and their clients. The episode also reinforces the importance of diversification, encouraging agents to expand into annuities, long-term care, and other complementary products.

This episode is a must-listen for agents looking to build on 2025's momentum and position themselves for continued growth in 2026.

Learn more about partnering with The Brokerage Inc. by visiting our website, www.thebrokerageinc.com.

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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 highlights how UHC uses data to inform healthcare delivery while addressing social determinants of health, helping improve access, outcomes, and long-term member satisfaction. Mike and Sonia also discuss the potential impact of expiring enhanced premium tax credits, noting how consumer behavior may shift from Silver plans toward Bronze or Gold options as affordability becomes a key factor.

A key focus of the episode is UHC's value-based care partnership with Sanitas in the San Antonio market, which brings primary care, preventive services, and specialty care together under one roof for a more integrated member experience.

The episode wraps with encouragement for agents to diversify their portfolios, stay informed during market uncertainty, and continue delivering exceptional service to clients navigating ACA decisions.

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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 covers key effective dates—and clarifies important marketing and compliance guidelines. While agents cannot actively urge beneficiaries to enroll during OEP, general marketing and education remain permitted.

Josh also highlights the importance of retail presence and community outreach, particularly for members experiencing buyer's remorse after AEP. He provides historical context on OEP, noting its reintroduction in 2019, and clarifies that standalone Part D plans are not included during this period.

This episode equips agents with the knowledge they need to stay compliant, support their clients effectively, and identify meaningful opportunities during OEP.

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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 include updates to Special Enrollment Period (SEP) rules, allowing plan changes when providers leave a network, and the removal of the 12-hour delay between educational and marketing events.

Gillan and Josh also break down proposals to shorten record retention requirements for call recordings, simplify TPMO disclaimers, and eliminate certain low-value compliance requirements. The conversation explores how these changes could give agents more time to focus on what evidence shows matters most — educating and serving clients.

Additionally, the episode covers proposed updates to the Stars program and discusses the long-term impact of making IRA changes permanent, particularly regarding Part D cost structures.

Overall, the proposed 2027 rule signals a meaningful shift in CMS's approach — one that industry professionals are cautiously optimistic about as it moves toward a more practical, agent-friendly regulatory environment.

Learn more about partnering with The Brokerage Inc. by visiting our website, www.thebrokerageinc.com.

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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 behind the scenes and offers clarity for advisors who may be fielding client questions. He emphasizes that IUL remains a strong and effective product when designed properly — and that this case appears to stem from the agent's compensation structure, not the integrity of Pacific Life.

The conversation reinforces a key message for agents: 👉 Good advisors put client needs first. When policies are structured for the client — not the commission — performance, trust, and long-term relationships thrive.

A timely, educational episode that reminds the industry to stay focused on ethics, transparency, and client-first solutions.

Learn more about partnering with The Brokerage Inc. by visiting our website, www.thebrokerageinc.com.

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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 Presidio, who shares insight into their flagship offering: The Fortress Plan, a non-ACA solution created to provide more affordability and flexibility for consumers. The plan features a $0 deductible, 50% coinsurance, and low max out-of-pocket options ranging from $2,500–$10,000. It also includes benefits for specified diseases and accidents, and offers maternity coverage with a $5,000 deductible during the first year.

Presidio has aggressive growth plans, aiming to expand into 5–10 states by 2026, giving agents more tools to serve clients effectively in a shifting health insurance landscape. Mike emphasises that understanding and offering alternate solutions will be crucial as agents prepare for another dynamic enrollment season.

Learn more about partnering with The Brokerage Inc. by visiting our website, www.thebrokerageinc.com.

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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. Breck shares how Oscar is differentiating itself by designing personalized plans tailored to specific health needs — including solutions for diabetics, menopausal women, and other unique member populations.

The conversation also highlights Oscar's new AI-powered member support platform, Oswell, built to deliver faster answers, smarter navigation, and a more intuitive experience for members. With a Net Promoter Score in the low 60s, Oscar continues to lead the way in member satisfaction.

Agents will also appreciate Oscar's enhanced broker portal, offering real-time performance tracking and actionable insights to help partners grow and support their clients more effectively.

This episode is a must-listen for agents looking to stay ahead of ACA trends and understand where the market is headed.

Learn more about partnering with The Brokerage Inc. by visiting our website, www.thebrokerageinc.com.

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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 their client books based on Cost Share Reductions (CSRs) and overall eligibility for financial assistance. He walks through when to recommend $0 plans and how to position Bronze, Silver, and Gold options depending on a client's unique circumstances.

The conversation also covers alternative solutions, such as short-term medical and affordable choice products, especially important if enhanced subsidies are not extended. While projections show that the market could shrink by up to 30% without those subsidies, Mike shares encouraging news: The Brokerage Inc. is seeing a 66% year-over-year increase in ACA membership enrollments, signaling strong agent performance and consumer demand.

Mike and Gillan close by urging agents to stay proactive, consistent, and relationship-focused. Serving clients well during uncertainty is what creates long-term trust—and long-term business.

Learn more about partnering with The Brokerage Inc. by visiting our website, www.thebrokerageinc.com.

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In this episode of The Broker Link, Cristal Bustillos from The Brokerage Inc. highlights the importance of Long-Term Care Awareness Month and why every advisor should be helping clients prepare for future care needs.

Crystal discusses the rising costs of nursing homes and assisted living facilities and explains that Medicare and Medicaid offer limited coverage, leaving many families unprepared for the financial and emotional burden of long-term care.

She shares practical solutions like long-term care insurance and life insurance policies with LTC riders, which can help clients maintain their financial security and personal dignity as they age.

Crystal also encourages agents to continue their education by:

• Attending training sessions and webinars

• Using tools like the Cost of Care Calculator

• Completing long-term care certification courses

• Reviewing product guides and available resources

As the year comes to a close, she reminds agents that December is the perfect time to tie up loose ends and plan ahead for a successful new year.

Learn more about partnering with The Brokerage Inc. by visiting our website, www.thebrokerageinc.com.

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In this episode of The Broker Link, Mike Papuc and Sonia Porras dive into the exclusive ACA partnership between UnitedHealthcare and Sanitas Clinics, a collaboration that's reshaping access to care in the San Antonio community.

Focused on value-based care, this partnership aims to deliver comprehensive, culturally aligned healthcare — from preventive medicine to mental health services — to better serve the Hispanic community, where more than 200,000 individuals remain uninsured.

Listeners will learn how this partnership is designed to make coverage more accessible and sustainable through:

• 💡 Affordable plan options, including a $0 deductible Bronze plan

• 🩺 Comprehensive primary and virtual care

• ❤️ Community outreach and long-term health initiatives

• 💬 Commitment to maintain current commissions for agents

Together, UnitedHealthcare and Sanitas Clinics are setting a new standard for community-based, value-driven healthcare in San Antonio.

Learn more about partnering with The Brokerage Inc. by visiting our website, www.thebrokerageinc.com.

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