Sarah Hinson
By In Business Tips

10 Marketing Moves to Make Before AEP 2027

September has a way of disappearing fast, and by the time AEP opens, most agents wish they had started their…
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Medicare Part D Subsidy Ending for 2027: What Agents Need to Know
Medicare prescription drug costs concept — pills, stethoscope, and money.
Medicare Part D Subsidy Ending for 2027: What Agents Need to KnowMedicare

Medicare Part D Subsidy Ending for 2027: What Agents Need to Know

If you sell Part D or Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans, you're about to field a lot of premium questions this AEP. CMS has confirmed that the Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration, the temporary program that has helped keep standalone drug plan premiums predictable since 2025, will end on December 31, 2026. Starting in 2027, insurers will price their Part D plans without that federal support. For the roughly 25 million beneficiaries enrolled in standalone Part D plans, this is a real change worth getting ahead of. Here's what's happening and how to talk your clients through it with confidence.…
September 9, 2026 Read More
An Insurance Agent’s Guide to Video Marketing: 6 Tips That Actually Work
Smartphone on a tripod recording a woman filming a talking-head video at her desk with a microphone and softbox lighting.
An Insurance Agent’s Guide to Video Marketing: 6 Tips That Actually WorkBusiness TipsMarketing

An Insurance Agent’s Guide to Video Marketing: 6 Tips That Actually Work

Video isn't optional anymore. Prospects scroll past static posts, but they stop for a face they trust, and the algorithms know it. If you're not on video yet, you're leaving leads on the table. The good news is you don't need a studio or a script written by a Hollywood copywriter to get started. Here's what actually works. Keep It Short and Mobile-First Attention spans are short, and phones are vertical. Aim for 30-90 seconds, shoot vertically, and hook viewers in the first three seconds. Lead with the question or problem, not your name and title. Show Your Face Clients…
August 27, 2026 Read More
What Is AHIP? A Guide for Medicare Agents
What Is AHIP? A Guide for Medicare AgentsBusiness TipsMedicare

What Is AHIP? A Guide for Medicare Agents

If you plan to sell Medicare Advantage (MA) or Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs), you've probably heard the term AHIP certification. For many agents, AHIP marks the official start of annual Medicare certification season and is often the first step toward becoming Ready-to-Sell for the upcoming plan year. This guide explains what AHIP is, why it matters, and how the certification process works. What Is AHIP? AHIP stands for America's Health Insurance Plans, a national trade association representing health insurance providers. In addition to advocacy and industry education, AHIP offers Medicare training programs that are widely accepted by Medicare…
August 4, 2026 Read More
How Medicare Agents Can Choose the Right FMO
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How Medicare Agents Can Choose the Right FMOBusiness TipsMedicare

How Medicare Agents Can Choose the Right FMO

As a Medicare agent, choosing the right insurance FMO is one of the most important decisions you can make. A strong partnership has the potential to streamline operations, expand your product offerings, and support long-term growth. Conversely, the wrong fit can slow your momentum and limit your ability to serve clients effectively. At Carolina Senior Marketing, we believe an FMO should function as a true partner in your business. The evaluation process requires careful attention to several key areas that directly impact your success.First, examine the portfolio of products and carriers available through the FMO. A well-rounded organization should provide…
June 25, 2026 Read More
CMS Releases 2027 Medicare Advantage & Part D Commission Updates
Person reviewing financial charts and calculations on a laptop with paperwork and calculator, illustrating planning for Maximum Broker Commissions 2027.
CMS Releases 2027 Medicare Advantage & Part D Commission UpdatesMedicare

CMS Releases 2027 Medicare Advantage & Part D Commission Updates

CMS has officially released the Contract Year (CY) 2027 agent and broker compensation limits, along with several important operational and compliance updates that agents should be aware of heading into the next plan year. As a reminder, these amounts represent the maximum fair market value (FMV) that carriers are allowed to pay. Carriers are not required to pay the full amount, though many historically do. Click here to read the full press release from CMS. Medicare Advantage Maximum Broker Commissions:In most states, initial Medicare Advantage commissions increase from $694/member/year to $725/member/year, a 4.47% year-over-year (YOY) increase. Renewal commissions increased from…
June 2, 2026 Read More
Local SEO for Medicare Agents: How to Get Found (and Chosen) in Your Community
Local SEO for Medicare Agents: How to Get Found (and Chosen) in Your CommunityBusiness Tips

Local SEO for Medicare Agents: How to Get Found (and Chosen) in Your Community

If you’re a Medicare or health insurance agent, you’ve likely wondered why some agents seem to show up everywhere online while others have difficulty appearing at all. Maybe you’ve asked yourself, “How do I get more people to find me on Google without constantly posting on social media or spending hours on marketing?” The answer, more often than not, comes down to Local SEO. Local SEO, or local search engine optimization, focuses on helping your business appear when someone nearby searches for services like “Medicare agent near me” or “help with Medicare enrollment in .” While the concept may sound…
April 9, 2026 Read More
CMS Updates for 2027: Medicare Advantage & Part D Final Rule
CMS Updates for 2027: Medicare Advantage & Part D Final RuleMedicare

CMS Updates for 2027: Medicare Advantage & Part D Final Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized its Contract Year 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule, and while some of the changes will feel like welcome relief for agents, the broader message from CMS is unmistakable: oversight is becoming more focused, more direct, and more financially meaningful. At first glance, several updates appear to simplify sales and marketing operations. However, taken together, these changes represent a strategic recalibration; reducing surface-level administrative hurdles while intensifying accountability around benefit accuracy, member experience, compliance, and plan performance. Below, we break down what’s changing, what’s not, and how agents…
April 6, 2026 Read More
A Guide to Helping Clients Avoid Insurance Scams & Fraud
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A Guide to Helping Clients Avoid Insurance Scams & FraudMedicare

A Guide to Helping Clients Avoid Insurance Scams & Fraud

Insurance scams continue to evolve at a rapid pace, and consumers are encountering increasingly convincing attempts through email, text, social media, and even fake phone calls. While carriers and regulators work hard to combat these threats, independent insurance agents remain one of the most important defenses clients have. Your guidance, education, and quick support can stop scammers long before they succeed.When a client falls victim to an insurance scam, the consequences can be significant. Financial loss, compromised personal data, and unexpected coverage gaps create stress that may take months to resolve. Even clients who haven’t been directly targeted may feel…
March 23, 2026 Read More
CMS to Reissue 1.3 Million Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers in March 2026
CMS to Reissue 1.3 Million Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers in March 2026Medicare

CMS to Reissue 1.3 Million Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers in March 2026

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that approximately 1.3 million Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs) will be reassigned beginning in March 2026, with the new numbers becoming effective on April 14, 2026. Beneficiaries receiving updated Medicare cards need to know why the change is occurring, what steps they may need to take, and how this update could affect their interactions with providers and insurance plans.CMS has not provided a detailed explanation for the 2026 reassignment. However, industry communications indicate that the updates are likely linked to security concerns, particularly in response to data breaches involving claims‑processing vendors.…
March 20, 2026 Read More
Introducing the Beyond Medicare – Client Protection Series
Introducing the Beyond Medicare – Client Protection SeriesAncillary Products

Introducing the Beyond Medicare – Client Protection Series

Medicare is an essential base layer of coverage, but it was never designed to cover everything. Rising healthcare costs, surprise expenses, and gaps in traditional Medicare can leave clients vulnerable both medically and financially. Ancillary products are the missing link. These plans strengthen a client’s overall protection by helping them: Manage hospital and emergency costs Cover dental, vision, and hearing needs Safeguard savings from major health events Receive cash benefits to offset lost income Access care options that Medicare doesn’t fully address When agents fully understand and confidently present these options, clients walk away with greater stability, better outcomes, and…
March 9, 2026 Read More
Understanding Your New Medicare Benefits in 2026
Understanding Your New Medicare Benefits in 2026Medicare

Understanding Your New Medicare Benefits in 2026

The start of the year is more than just a fresh calendar. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, it’s also your second chance to make sure your health coverage truly fits your needs. From January 1 through March 31, Medicare offers the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP), a limited‑time opportunity to adjust your plan if something isn’t working for you.Many people select their plan during the fall Annual Enrollment Period only to discover that once January arrives, that: Their doctor is no longer in‑network A prescription costs more than expected A benefit they counted on has…
February 17, 2026 Read More
January Medicare Updates for Agents: What You Need to Know to Start the Year Strong
January Medicare Updates for Agents: What You Need to Know to Start the Year StrongMedicare

January Medicare Updates for Agents: What You Need to Know to Start the Year Strong

January often brings a welcome slowdown after the intensity of AEP, but it’s far from quiet. Each new year comes with important Medicare updates for agents, and January is when many of those changes and enrollment opportunities take effect. From Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment to the General Enrollment Period and ongoing Marketplace deadlines, this month offers several ways to support clients, answer early-year questions, and start the year with confidence.As soon as the calendar turns to January, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period begins. This window is specifically for beneficiaries who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and…
January 2, 2026 Read More