Category: Updates
8 Questions Every Agent Should Be Asking and Why They
The most successful life and health insurance agents understand that their role goes beyond closing a sale. Insurance is about protection, trust, and advocacy. When agents lead conversations with thoughtful,...
7 Essential Tools Every Agent Needs to Compete – All
Today's insurance market is more competitive and more digital than ever before. Agents are expected to move faster, stay compliant, communicate clearly, and deliver a seamless experience to prospects and...
Office Hours with Ronnie James January Recap
For agent use only. This information is subject to change. "2026 is the year for agents to pivot, evolve, and position themselves as a full-service advisor who protects clients." Ronnie...
2026 Prep: Win Q1 with a Smarter Marketing Strategy
The start of a new year opens the door to fresh opportunities - but what you do in Q1 can shape your results for the rest of 2026. Now that...
Multi-Product Strategy: Becoming a One-Stop Shop Agent
Why a One-Shop Approach Matters Today's clients value simplicity. They want one trusted resource - someone who understands their full financial and healthcare picture, not just a single product or...
Grow Engagement on Social Media: For Medicare & Life Agents
Social media plays a vital role in helping businesses connect with clients and grow - and the insurance industry is no exception. For Medicare and life insurance agents, social media...
CMS Proposes Major Medicare Compliance Changes for 2027
For agent use only. This information is subject to change. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a series of Medicare compliance changes, and they are among the...
OTC Benefits & Food Cards: What Every Agent Should Know
Your role isn't just to help clients choose the right Medicare Advantage plan - it's also about making sure members fully understand the extra benefits available to them. Two of...
Post-AEP Checklist: What Agents Should Do After Enrollment Ends
You did it: AEP is over - and we are proud of you! Another AEP has officially come to a close, and before anything else, the Tidewater team wants to...
Office Hours with Ronnie James December Recap
For agent use only. This information is subject to change. "Despite the circumstances we've faced this year, we as a team, you as agents, have endured." Ronnie James Regional Sales...
CMS 2026 Medicare Updates: Costs & Premiums
What's Changing in 2026 and Why It Matters CMS has officially released the Medicare costs and premium updates for 2026. As we inch closer to the new year we're here...
From Logo to Mailbox: How to Build a Brand Clients
At Tidewater, we believe every agent is unique - and that is your greatest differentiator. In a fast-paced market where clients are constantly receiving information, it's not enough to simply...
Office Hours with Ronnie James November Recap
For agent use only. This information is subject to change. "There are going to be some things that are going to be changing in our industry, but we want to...
Navigating IRA Changes: This Year and Beyond
AEP brings new opportunities and new challenges to the Medicare landscape. As always, we’re here to help you adapt with confidence, minimize client concerns, and stay ahead of the curve....
5 Reasons Why Clients Switch Medicare Plans and How to
October 15th marked the start of Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) - a seven-week window when Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in or switch plans for the 2026 coverage year. AEP is...
Avoiding CTMs: How to Stay Compliant This AEP
AEP is fast-paced, but that doesn't mean you can cut corners. It's essential to stay on top of compliance to build long-term trust with clients and protect yourself and your...
Government Shutdown Explained: Top FAQs Answered
As of October 1st, the United States Government has shut down because Congress could not pass necessary funding bills to keep federal agencies running. Government shut downs have unfortunately occurred...
Office Hours with Ronnie James October Recap
For agent use only. "It's going to be important to hit the ground running this year and separate yourself from your competition - and the best way to do that...
Office Hours with Ronnie James September Recap
For agent use only. "We're headed for some turbulent waters during this annual enrollment period, but my confidence is still strong in this industry. I believe the market is still...
The Benefits of Attending a TMG AEP Roadshow
You - the insurance agent are an essential part of the insurance industry. You play the critical role in helping clients find the best coverage and protections. Attending insurance conferences,...
Office Hours with Ronnie James August Recap
Our August Office Hours call was packed with insightful information. Ronnie's main focus was the Big Beautiful Bill - legislation significantly impacting your clients on ACA and Medicare plans, but...
Navigating the Medicare Birthday Rule: What Every Agent Should Know
Navigating the in's and out's of Medicare can be difficult, especially when you consider the rules and regulations surrounding it. Although a fairly new term, and one that isn't frequently...
Office Hours with Ronnie James July Recap
"We're going to be going over a lot of things, because there is a lot going on in the industry right now." - Ronnie James, July 2nd Office Hours Ronnie...
The Ultimate Pre-AEP Checklist
If you're ready to jumpstart your journey towards AEP you've come to the right place! Below, we've outlined a detailed checklist to ensure your prepared and ready to achieve great...
Master Annuities: Find Opportunities and Manage Customer Expectations
Mastering annuities starts with asking the right questions. Follow along as we recap training videos ten and eleven from our Life and Annuity Resource (LARC) series, where we'll explore the...
The Insurance Agent’s Guide to Branding
If you want to grow your business and become a "go-to" agent, you need to learn how to communicate your brand. But should your brand be all about you personally,...
Office Hours with Ronnie James June Recap
"This is big news, and this is going to be a shake-up for a lot of consumers and maybe for agents" - Ronnie James, June 5th Office Hours Ronnie shared...
Insurance FMO: Here’s What You Need to Know
If you're curious what an FMO is and how you can benefit from working with one, you've come to the right place. Whether you're brand new to the insurance industry...
Office Hours with Ronnie James May Recap
"I hope you've got a pen and paper, because I've got some stats and opportunities for you today!" - Ronnie James, May 7th Office Hours If you're an insurance agent...
How to Achieve Work-Life Balance as an Insurance Agent
As an insurance agent, you chose a demanding career that at times may feel like it requires a never ending to-do list to reach your goals. While staying ahead is...
