Welcome to The Broker’s Digest, a resource designed to help you stay current, adapt to a changing market and grow your business.
While many of the details surrounding AEP 2027 are still unknown, now is the time to prepare your business for the months ahead. Preparation doesn’t have to mean tackling a long list of projects. In fact, focusing on just one or two areas can help create efficiencies, strengthen client relationships, and make AEP more manageable when plan information becomes available.
Download the full 5-minute read below…
The CMS Final Rule was released for Plan Year 2027. It is about reducing friction while preserving strong consumer protections. The focus is no longer on rigid timing rules, but on clarity, transparency and consumer choice.
Beginning July 1, 2026, Medicare is launching a temporary program called the GLP 1 Bridge, allowing eligible beneficiaries access to weight-loss medications like:
• Wegovy®
• Zepbound®
• Foundayo®
These medications have typically been very expensive and difficult to access under Medicare. This program is a significant step toward broader availability with an estimated cost to Medicare beneficiaries of only $50 per month.
Market Insight Guides are now available! These market snapshots include vital statistics about the disruption in your market for the current quarter. Reports are available at a national level, as well as state-by-state, including Washington DC. Our Integrity partner, Deft Research, has prepared these reports for your use in preparing your marketing plans for this AEP and beyond. Request yours today by using the form at the bottom of the page!
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Contract Year (CY) 2027 maximum broker compensation rates set strict Fair Market Value (FMV) caps.
AHIP and Carrier certifications are opening soon. We have created a page to keep track of the opening dates.
Consumer security and program integrity continue to be priorities for CMS. To strengthen fraud prevention measures and ensure consumers remain in control of their health coverage decisions, CMS recently released Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) Change Request 109.
UPDATED 8-3-2026
ACA premiums spiked in 2026. Combined with the end of enhanced subsidies, consumers have taken a hit this year. It’s a trend that appears will continue in 2027.
Since OEP for plan year 2022, ACA consumers and agents have operated within a 75-day Open Enrollment Period, running from November 1 through January 15. During that time, agents could renew existing ACA coverage, assist newly eligible consumers, resolve application issues, and recover from the inevitable challenges that arise during enrollment season.
Rising Maximum-Out-Of-Pocket (MOOP) costs on ACA qualified plans is a growing concern in the Under-65 market. Agent Advisor Scott Bare takes a deeper dive into the issue and possible solutions.
We’re excited to announce that Lumos Medicare Supplement is now available for contracting!
Lumos Insurance brings more than four decades of insurance experience and financial strength to the senior market. Their expansion into Medicare Supplement reflects a long-term commitment to serving the growing senior health space, giving agents another competitive solution to add to their portfolio.
Lumos Medicare Supplement Highlights:
• Administered by Integrity Partner IAS
• Plans A, F, G, High-Deductible G, and N available
• Streamlined e-App process with Q-Signature and Mother’s Maiden Name verification
• Competitive Underwriting.
Lumos offers underwriting provisions that may create additional placement opportunities for your clients such as:
o Heart Conditions: 2-year lookback
o Cancer: 2-year lookback
o Stroke: 2-year lookback
o Diabetes: Up to 50 units of insulin daily
Adding Lumos Medicare Supplement to your portfolio means more choice for your clients and more sales opportunities for you. Contract with Lumos today and be one of the first agents to offer this exciting new Medicare Supplement product.
Contact your Advisor today for more information or contact us through the form at the bottom of this page.
Most Final Expense products are designed for burial expenses. But what happens when a client needs more?
We’d like to introduce you to Physicians Mutual’s Secure Essential Life Insurance, a unique solution that combines:
• Whole Life coverage up to $100,000
• Optional Term Rider up to $200,000
• Up to $250,000 total coverage
• No medical exams or lab work
• Instant decision availability
• Competitive solution for middle-market clients
This product offers clients more protection than traditional Final Expense can provide, while avoiding the lengthy underwriting process often associated with larger face amounts.
Contact your Advisor today for more information or contact us through the form at the bottom of this page.
ManhattanLife has introduced Home Health Care Enhanced, their newly upgraded home health care solution. Featuring a first-of-its-kind Homemaker Benefit, broader age eligibility, and a suite of thoughtfully designed enhancements, this coverage offers meaningful protection for policyholders and the people who matter most to them. Benefits and features include…
• Daily benefits up to $450
• Issue ages updated to 18-89
• Enhanced Prescription Drug Benefits…$900 per year max for the Deluxe plan
• New Homemaker Benefit…Receive care at home from an unlicensed family member, neighbor or friend. No certification required!
• Enhanced Home Health Aide Benefit…Now a full 365-day benefit period!
• Optional riders for Routine Annual Physical, Home Medical Equipment, Ambulance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment.
Although we recently shared a comprehensive AEP readiness update, we are excited to provide two additional resources designed to support your preparation and client conversations throughout the enrollment season.
With Smart Documents, you can upload client documents and turn them into manageable data! Get more information from the flyer below.
For the full guide, ask your Agent Advisor or contact us!
Through our partnership with Integrity, you have access to game-changing technology that redefines how you work and grow. IntegrityCONNECT is the all-in-one platform built by agents, for agents, and brings everything you need into one place:
• A best-in-class CRM built to help you work smarter.
• Integrated Quote & eApp for multiple products from Health and Life carriers.
• Automated Marketing to send compliant marketing messages to your clients via email or text messages.
• Work anywhere with the Integrity mobile app available on Apple and Google Play stores.
With IntegrityCONNECT, you can also use Ask Integrity AI-powered data and insights.
• Client Summaries — Know every client better with an instant, on-demand summary of key client information.
• Automatic Meeting & Call Notes — Summarizes prior client meeting details with one click.
• Shopper Tags — Identify clients likely to experience plan disruptions so you can prioritize outreach.
• AI-Powered Recommendations — Expert guidance suggests products that complement current client coverage
Need more? How about a lead purchasing and management solution?
• Multiple options — Browse vendors and purchase leads on the IntegrityCONNECT lead marketplace.
• Leads where you want them — Search for leads by geography, lead type and lead source with our easy-to-use heat map.
• Get leads your way — Choose from realtime lead campaigns, customizable direct mail campaigns or on-demand leads.
• Work smarter not harder — Leads purchased automatically flow into your CRM so you can easily manage the relationship from lead to sold.
IntegrityCONNECT has you everything you need to serve your clients and manage your business. Ask your Agent Advisor about IntegrityCONNECT or contact us for more information.
Introducing the Integrity Health Plan — the first of its kind health plan built for independent agents and advisors like you!
Why the Integrity Health Plan?
For independent, 1099 agents, health insurance can be a challenge. The Integrity Health Plan changes that. It uses the power of Integrity to give you real coverage, made simple:
• Exclusive to Integrity
• Industry-leading health plan built for agents
• Available for individual & family coverage
What makes it stand out is the peace of mind it brings. This plan was built to make health insurance feel easier at every step:
• Preventive services covered at 100%
• Nationwide provider network
• Health Savings Account eligible, with $2,500 and $5,000 deductible plans
• No open enrollment periods — sign up anytime!
Here’s how to get started:
• Log into IntegrityCONNECT
• Select the MyBenefits tab
• Select the Integrity Health Plan and start exploring your options now!
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