The Insurance Producers Guild

The Insurance Producers Guild is a strategic briefing for insurance professionals, focused on Medicare, ACA, life insurance, and the evolving insurance landscape. Each episode distills complex industry changes into clear, practical intelligence.

The Insurance Producers Guild is a business podcast hosted by Lucas Vandenberg, with 26 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Lucas Vandenberg hosts The Insurance Producers Guild, a business show with 26 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #26

  EP26 2027 Medicare Drug Price Trap

  Sep 30, 202619 minS1

  CMS has published negotiated maximum fair prices for 15 Medicare Part D drugs effective January 1, 2027. CMS says 5.3 million enrollees used these drugs in 2024 and projects $685 million in beneficiary out-of-pocket savings for 2027. Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy move from a $959 list price to a $274 negotiated price. For agents, the key distinction is that this is not automatically the member’s pharmacy copay. Formulary status, tier, deductible, and pharmacy still determine member cost. The Veteran and The Closer explain what not to quote and provide a client script for booking a formulary review before AEP. Produced by PSM Brokerage. Key Topics Covered 15 negotiated Part D prices Ozempic and Wegovy price changes Negotiated price versus pharmacy copay Pre-AEP formulary review script What This Means for Agents Never quote negotiated price as copay Flag affected clients before 2027 reviews Verify formulary, tier, deductible, pharmacy Book drug reviews before AEP Sources CMS — Selected Drugs and Negotiated Prices CMS source GO-DO: Build the 2027 Review Queue Export every MA-PD and standalone PDP client this week and build one 2027 formulary-review queue for anyone using a drug named in the episode. Use the counter-price warning, collect each client’s current drug list, and book the formulary review before AEP. Infographic: https://www.psmbrokerage.com/hubfs/The%20Insurance%20Producers%20Guild/IPG_EP26_Infographic.png Slides: https://www.psmbrokerage.com/hubfs/The%20Insurance%20Producers%20Guild/IPG_EP26_Slides.pdf The Insurance Producers Guild Podcast delivers intelligence for insurance agents looking to stay ahead of industry trends. Follow the show and connect with PSM Brokerage to access tools, training, and support designed to help you grow your business. Learn more: https://www.psmbrokerage.com

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  Episode #25

  EP25 Medigap Rates Went Up: How to Keep Your Clients

  Sep 18, 202612 minS1

  CSG Actuarial’s January through August 2026 review of about 780 Medicare Supplement filings, covering more than 100 carriers, found an average increase of about 15%, a median around 14.5%, and about one in five filings at 20% or higher. Plans G, F, and N sat in the 15 to 17% range. A national average is not that household’s premium. Medigap clients do not get an ANOC. They get a rate letter and a new draft. They pay, they like their doctors, and they rarely call. That quiet book is where silent attrition happens. This episode explains how to turn those rate letters into review appointments before the anniversary, without quoting 15% as the client’s new premium. Key Topics Covered 2026 Medigap rate filings Why G, F, and N are taking the larger increases Rate letter versus ANOC Retention before the anniversary What This Means for Agents Pull every G, F, and N renewal in the next 90 days Do not quote a national average as their premium Compare same-letter options allowed in that state Call before the draft hits, not after the complaint that never comes Sources CSG Actuarial https://www.csgactuarial.com/news/medicare-supplement-rate-increases-what-the-market-has-shown-throughout-2026 ValuePenguin https://www.valuepenguin.com/best-medicare-supplement-plans GO-DO: Book Medigap Reviews Identify every Medicare Supplement client with a renewal in the next 90 days, G, F, and N first. Send one compliant heads-up asking them to book a 20-minute review before the anniversary. Bring their rate letter. Put same-letter options on the table. Confirm state replacement and underwriting rules before you promise a move. Infographic: https://www.psmbrokerage.com/hubfs/The%20Insurance%20Producers%20Guild/IPG_EP25_Infographic-1.png Slides: https://www.psmbrokerage.com/hubfs/The%20Insurance%20Producers%20Guild/IPG_EP25_Slides-1.pdf Learn more: https://www.psmbrokerage.com The Insurance Producers Guild Podcast delivers intelligence for insurance agents looking to stay ahead of industry trends. Follow the show and connect with PSM Brokerage to access tools, training, and support designed to help you grow your business. Learn more: https://www.psmbrokerage.com

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  Episode #24

  EP24 How Much and Why ACA Marketplace Premiums Are Going Up in 2027

  Sep 1, 202615 minS1

  KFF’s August 3 analysis of 276 insurers found a median proposed 2027 ACA Marketplace premium increase of 15%, following a 20% median finalized increase for 2026. These rates are proposed and still require state approval. Clients already absorbed major changes in 2026 after enhanced premium tax credits expired: average enrollee premium payments increased 58%, deductibles rose, and Silver enrollment declined. CMS reported 23.1 million Marketplace plan selections for 2026. We break down what agents know now, what they should not quote yet, and how to book October reviews before November 1. Key Topics Covered Proposed 2027 ACA rate increases 2026 client cost changes Marketplace enrollment shifts October review appointment strategy What This Means for Agents Expect rate concerns before Open Enrollment Review subsidy and deductible changes early Avoid quoting unapproved 2027 premiums Prioritize vulnerable Marketplace clients now Sources KFF 2027 ACA Marketplace Premium Analysis CMS 2026 Open Enrollment Report GO-DO: Build Your October Review List Export your ACA, Marketplace, and under-65 clients this week. Prioritize clients who moved to Bronze in 2026 or lost enhanced-credit protection. Call each one without quoting a 2027 premium and book a 20-minute October review covering their plan, subsidy, and deductible. Infographic: https://www.psmbrokerage.com/hubfs/The%20Insurance%20Producers%20Guild/IPG_EP24_Infographic.png Slides: https://www.psmbrokerage.com/hubfs/The%20Insurance%20Producers%20Guild/IPG_EP24_Slides.pdf The Insurance Producers Guild Podcast delivers intelligence for insurance agents looking to stay ahead of industry trends. Follow the show and connect with PSM Brokerage to access tools, training, and support designed to help you grow your business. Learn more: https://www.psmbrokerage.com

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  Episode #23

  EP23 600k Humana Members Face '27 Plan Changes

  Aug 25, 202616 minS1

  Humana said on its July 29, 2026 earnings call that 2027 Medicare Advantage plan exits will affect about 600,000 members. Humana expects to recapture just over 40 percent into other plans it continues offering, but every affected member still needs a 2027 coverage decision because their current plan is leaving. Most exits involve plans rated 3.5 stars or lower for the 2027 bonus year. Plan-level names were not released. In this episode we explain what agents should do now, why no 2027 plan should be quoted before it appears on the landscape, and how to schedule reviews around ANOC delivery before AEP. Key Topics Covered Humana’s 600,000 affected members 2027 Medicare Advantage plan exits ANOC timing before AEP Rules for discussing 2027 plans What This Means for Agents Identify Humana clients needing 2027 reviews Do not quote unavailable 2027 plans Prepare clients for September ANOC letters Schedule reviews before AEP begins Sources Humana Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results: https://policy.humana.com/news-and-resources/news-press/2026/humana-reports-second-quarter-2026-financial-results--affirms?utm_source=chatgpt.com CMS 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2027-medicare-advantage-part-d-rate-announcement GO-DO: Book Your Humana 2027 Reviews Export every Humana Medicare Advantage client this week and tag the file “2027 review.” Call each client, explain that some Humana plans are leaving for 2027, and book a 20-minute review for the week their change letter arrives. Do not quote a 2027 plan before the landscape is available. Infographic: https://www.psmbrokerage.com/hubfs/The%20Insurance%20Producers%20Guild/IPG_EP23_Infographic.png Slides: https://www.psmbrokerage.com/hubfs/The%20Insurance%20Producers%20Guild/IPG_EP23_Slides.pdf The Insurance Producers Guild Podcast delivers intelligence for insurance agents looking to stay ahead of industry trends. Follow the show and connect with PSM Brokerage to access tools, training, and support designed to help you grow your business. Learn more: https://www.psmbrokerage.com

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  Episode #22

  EP22 Your Part D Clients Are About to Pay More

  Aug 10, 202615 minS1

  CMS set the 2027 Part D base beneficiary premium at $41.33, the maximum 6% annual increase, while ending the temporary Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration after 2026. The standard deductible rises to $700 and the out-of-pocket cap to $2,400. For agents, the biggest watchpoint is standalone PDP coverage. The demonstration reduced average PDP premiums, while MA-PD coverage was never included. In 2026, average monthly premiums were $36 for PDPs versus $8 for MA-PDs. This episode explains how to turn those changes into review appointments without quoting plan-specific 2027 prices before fall landscape data and September ANOCs arrive. Key Topics Covered 2027 Part D premium changes End of PDP stabilization PDP versus MA-PD premiums Timing plan-specific conversations What This Means for Agents Prioritize standalone PDP clients for reviews Avoid quoting unavailable 2027 plan premiums Use September ANOCs to verify changes Book review appointments before Open Enrollment Sources CMS https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-part-d-2027-national-average-monthly-bid-amount-information KFF https://www.kff.org/quick-insights/cmss-decision-to-end-temporary-subsidies-to-medicares-stand-alone-drug-plans-could-mean-larger-premium-increases-for-some-beneficiaries-next-year/ GO-DO: Book PDP Reviews Identify every client with a standalone Part D plan and send one compliant heads-up within 48 hours asking them to book a ten-minute September review after their Annual Notice of Change arrives. Prioritize Original Medicare clients paired with a Medicare Supplement and PDP, and reserve review slots now. Infographic: https://www.psmbrokerage.com/hubfs/The%20Insurance%20Producers%20Guild/IPG_EP22_Infographic.png Slides: https://www.psmbrokerage.com/hubfs/The%20Insurance%20Producers%20Guild/IPG_EP22_Slides.pdf The Insurance Producers Guild Podcast delivers intelligence for insurance agents looking to stay ahead of industry trends. Follow the show and connect with PSM Brokerage to access tools, training, and support designed to help you grow your business. Learn more: https://www.psmbrokerage.com

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