Disability Insurance Awareness Month: Protecting Your Paycheck
Release Date: 05/06/2025
Breaking Down CMS’s Proposed 2027 Rule with Josh Slattery
The Broker Link
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...
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Ripped From the Headlines: What Kyle Busch’s $8.5M Lawsuit Really Means for IUL
The Broker Link
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...
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Exploring Alternate Health Solutions for 2026: Meet Presidio Healthcare
The Broker Link
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...
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Inside Oscar Health: Growth, Innovation & the Future of ACA Coverage
The Broker Link
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...
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GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN UPDATE: What does this mean for the ACA?
The Broker Link
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...
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Long-Term Care Awareness Month: Protecting Your Clients’ Futures
The Broker Link
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...
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Bridging the Gap: UHC & Sanitas Clinics Bring Value-Based Care to San Antonio
The Broker Link
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...
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Rethinking Employee Benefits: The Rise of ICHRAs with Ameriflex
The Broker Link
In this episode of The Broker Link, host John Ross Hopkin sits down with Christapher Estep, Vice President of Sales Midwest at Ameriflex to dive into the growing world of Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs). Introduced in 2018, ICHRAs are transforming how employers offer health benefits — giving businesses the ability to set defined allowances while empowering employees to choose their own health insurance plans. John and Christopher break down how this model provides flexibility, cost control, and satisfaction for both employers and employees. Tune in to...
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The Power of Staying Connected: How Support Fuels Agent Success
The Broker Link
In this episode of The Broker Link, Mike Papuc and Trey Owens dive into the heart of what keeps agents thriving—consistent communication and meaningful support. They discuss the importance of upline check-ins that aren’t driven by an agenda but by a genuine desire to help agents grow. Trey shares insights from his experience with health insurance carriers, emphasizing that open communication is the key to lasting success. Mike adds that understanding each agent’s personal goals is essential to helping them achieve professional success. Together, they highlight how a lack of support can...
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Fall Into Final Expense: Simplifying End-of-Life Planning
The Broker Link
In this episode of The Broker Link, Cristal Bustillos from The Brokerage Inc. explores the growing importance of final expense insurance, especially for baby boomers nearing retirement. With rising funeral and burial costs, the demand for affordable and straightforward coverage continues to grow. Cristal explains how final expense insurance offers easy qualification, with many plans providing guaranteed coverage. She also introduces a helpful cheat sheet available on The Brokerage Inc. website, outlining carrier options, underwriting types (Simplified Issue and Guaranteed Issue), and coverage...
info_outlineIn 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—customizable policy add-ons—and shares strategies for overcoming client objections, a common challenge in this area.
To support agents, Crystal highlights tools available on The Brokerage Inc.'s Disability Center, including educational resources and marketing materials. She encourages proactive outreach through webinars and social media series to build awareness and trust with clients.
A key takeaway: the best time to secure disability coverage is when clients are young and healthy, ensuring lower premiums and greater peace of mind.
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