Volume 1 • October 2025
ON THE PULSE
Monthly Insights for Agents, Partners and Industry Insiders
In this month's newsletter, you'll learn more about Heathos Pulse, our successful webinars with Zurich, and the countdown to open enrollment.
Countdown to open enrollment
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Table of Contents
From the Desk of the CEO
Todd Baxter
Welcome to On The Pulse, Heathos' New Monthly Newsletter. We have designed it with you in mind. Our goal is to keep you informed, inspired, and connected as we head into open enrollment this November and beyond.
OPEN ENROLLMENT COUNTDOWN
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At Heathos, momentum is building. With new innovations, fresh talent, and strategic growth, we're proud to share how we're shaping the future of insurance distribution together.
This inaugural edition of On the Pulse marks an exciting moment for Heathos. Our vision has always been to simplify, modernize, and empower the health insurance ecosystem, and the progress we have made over the past few months reflects that mission in action.
One of the biggest highlights has been the official launch of Heathos Pulse, our digital intelligence hub designed to equip agents and agencies with the real-time data, compliance tools, and operational insights they need to thrive. Pulse represents more than technology. It is a new way of doing business that places actionable intelligence directly in the hands of the people who need it most.
We have also strengthened our leadership and expertise with the addition of several key hires across technology, compliance, and customer success. Each new team member brings a wealth of experience and energy to Heathos, and together we are expanding the support and capabilities available to our partners.
As we grow, so does our footprint. We are proud to announce the new expansion of our office in Florida, giving us a stronger physical presence in a key market while creating a collaborative space for our expanding team. This new location underscores our commitment to serving clients nationwide with both digital and in-person connections.
The results of this momentum have been remarkable. Heathos is experiencing unprecedented growth, a testament to the trust our agents, agencies, and carrier partners continue to place in us. Your trust pushes us to do better every day, whether in compliance, operations, client experience, or technology.
Looking ahead, we have a pipeline of new improvements on the horizon that will continue to make it easier for our partners to manage plans, stay compliant, and grow their businesses. From enhanced analytics to streamlined onboarding experiences, we are committed to delivering solutions that not only solve today's challenges but anticipate tomorrow's needs.
Sincerely,
Todd Baxter
Agent Essentials
October 2025
Introducing...
Heathos offers a host of tools to help agents with a variety of needs. This month we're excited to announce the launch of Heathos Pulse, a new digital portal built to equip agents and agencies with the real-time data and tools they need to grow, stay compliant, and operate more efficiently.
Heathos Pulse is more than just a dashboard. It serves as a centralized command center for performance tracking, training, and compliance management.
Key Features of Heathos Pulse:
- Business Intelligence Engine that provides performance and quality insights.
- Learning Management System (LMS) with product-specific training and certification tools.
- Real-time support for licensing and compliance workflows.
- Single Sign-On access to key operational data including commissions, complaints, and benchmarking.
- Detailed agent-level reporting to support faster, more informed decision-making.
Ready to get started with Heathos Pulse?
LOGIN NOW
or email us at agents@firstenroll.com to get set up
Season Reminder
Open Enrollment is only a month away and now is the time to make sure you're prepared! The upcoming Open Enrollment Period (OEP) represents a critical opportunity for agents to serve their clients and grow their business.
Whether you're a seasoned veteran or new to the enrollment season, proper preparation is essential to maximize your success. From completing certifications to updating client information, there are numerous steps to take before the rush begins.
We've compiled a comprehensive Open Enrollment Preparation Checklist to help you get ready. You'll find the complete checklist later in this newsletter with detailed action items covering certifications, licensing, marketplace registration, marketing materials, and much more.
On the Radar
CMS Clears the Way for Long-Term STM Plans: A Win for Independent Agents
August 7th CMS ruling opens doors for auto-renewable short-term plans, creating fresh opportunities for agents to meet consumer demand.
Independent insurance agents got a big boost on August 7th when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized ACA regulations that, among other changes, paved the way for Short-Term Limited Duration (STM) insurance to be marketed on an auto-renewal basis for up to three years.
This update marks a major win for agents looking to offer affordable, flexible coverage options to clients who don't need or want traditional ACA plans.
The new rules simplify enrollment processes for STM products and give agents a longer-term solution to meet consumer needs in today's fast-changing health insurance market.
By allowing STM plans to automatically renew for up to three years, CMS has made it easier for consumers to maintain coverage without repeated paperwork or enrollment hurdles—while giving agents more room to build long-lasting client relationships and grow their STM portfolios.
Open Enrollment Checklist
Open Enrollment is only a month away and now is the time to make sure you're prepared!
Partner Pulse
This month, the spotlight is on Zurich, who has been going above and beyond to protect their members for more than 150 years.
Zurich Insurance Group
Global Insurance Leader
Zurich Insurance Group offers a broad portfolio that includes general insurance (such as car, home, and liability), commercial and industrial insurance, and life insurance products delivered through diverse channels, including agents, brokers, banks, and direct access. Their reach extends to more than 90% of the Fortune 500 companies and they are recognized for their financial strength, customer satisfaction, and resilience in a dynamic global market.
Zurich continually aims to balance innovation with stability, focusing on prevention services that enhance wellbeing and climate resilience while pursuing ambitious financial targets. Their performance underscores Zurich's strong capital base, adaptability in underwriting, and commitment to sustainable growth.
200
Countries
Zurich is a leading multi-line insurer serving people and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories.
63,000
Employees
Zurich has more than 63,000 employees across the globe to help them to better serve their customers.
75,000,000
Customers
Zurich supports over 75 million customers as it works toward its goal to 'create a brighter future together'.
Introducing The Encore Hospitality Indemnity Plan
Why Hospital Indemnity Should Be Part of Every Client Conversation
Looking for a way to add more value to every client conversation? Hospital Indemnity is a low-cost, high-impact addition that helps close common coverage gaps. It gives your clients extra financial protection during hospital stays and positions you as a proactive, solutions-focused advisor.
What Events Hospital Indemnity Covers
Hospital Indemnity provides a fixed cash benefit for covered hospital-related events. This can include:
- Inpatient hospital admission
- Daily hospital confinement
- ICU stays
- Observation or rehab stays
The key benefit is flexibility. The payment goes straight to your client, not the provider. They can use it for medical bills, household expenses, or anything else they need while recovering.
Why Hospital Coverage Matters More Than Ever
Hospital visits can be far more costly than many clients realize. In the U.S., a three-day hospital stay averages around $30,000, and nearly 34 million people are admitted to hospitals each year.
- A three-day hospital stay averages $30,000
- Nearly 34 million U.S. hospital admissions occur each year
- Even with major medical insurance, these expenses often lead to significant out-of-pocket costs
Preparing for the possibility of multiple day hospital stays is essential. Hospital Indemnity Insurance offers valuable financial protection, helping clients manage these unexpected expenses during their recovery.
KEY STATISTICS
50%
Adults with difficulty affording health care
41%
Adults with health care debt
38%
Insured adults delaying/skipping care due to cost
11%
Cost desperate adults (can't pay for care/medicine)
How Hospital Indemnity Complements Major Medical
Hospital Indemnity doesn't replace health insurance. It fills the financial gaps that often catch people off guard.
Why clients value it:
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It helps cover high deductibles and coinsurance
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It provides extra support during a stressful time
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It's affordable and easy to understand
Behind the Pulse
Introducing the FirstEnroll Blog - dive into optimizing your back-office systems, streamlining workflow silos, and energizing your workday with actionable insights
For more insights and articles, visit Behind the Pulse regularly. We're constantly sharing new content to help agents and agencies stay ahead and thriving.
On the Calendar
October 2025 - Important dates and upcoming events
06
OCT
The Countdown to Open Enrollment Webinar
Strategies for a Successful Season co-sponsored by FirstEnroll and Zurich
This webinar has concluded. You can view the full webinar recording:
Watch Webinar15
OCT
Medicare AEP Starts
The Medicare Annual Election Period opens on Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. Be prepared for client inquiries and application submissions during this window.
01
NOV
ACA Open Enrollment Begins
Open enrollment for 2026 individual health plans kicks off Nov. 1 and will last until Jan. 15 in most states. Key deadline: enroll by Dec. 15 for coverage to start Jan. 1.
NOV
JAN
Expanded Business Hours
Dedicated agent support line with extended hours during open enrollment:
- • Mondays & Tuesdays: 7 AM – 7 PM ET (Nov–Jan)
- • Extra coverage Friday, Jan 2 & Saturday, Jan 3: 7 AM – 7 PM ET
- • Help members stay covered by reprocessing failed payments
Telephone: 732-440-8600
Email: agents@firstenroll.com
Agent Toolbox
Important links and resources - Quicklinks to bookmark
Heathos LMS Training
Access over 30 training modules covering product knowledge, compliance, and sales techniques. Complete certifications at your own pace.
Heathos Pulse
Real-time data & compliance tools. Your centralized command center for performance tracking, training, and compliance management.
NIPR
National Insurance Producer Registry - Streamlined insurance licensing and compliance monitoring for insurance professionals across all states.
Agent Support
Get personalized assistance from our dedicated agent support team. Whether you need help with enrollment processes, commission questions, or technical support, we're here to help.
📞 Telephone: 732-440-8600
📧 Email: agents@firstenroll.com
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Bonus Board Coming Soon
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Leaderboards
⭐
Points System
🎁
Swag Store
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Product Quizzes
Transform your product expertise into rewards. Our gamified learning platform features interactive quizzes, competitive leaderboards, and an exclusive rewards marketplace—making professional development both engaging and rewarding.