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The Friday Five for August 15, 2025:

 


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Threads, Waze, AEP Countdown:

“Number of Threads Users.” Backlinko.Com, Backlinko, 17 July 2025, backlinko.com/threads-users.

Mendes, Marcus. “Threads Crosses 400M Monthly Active Users as It Gains on X.” 9to5Mac.Com, 9to5Mac, 13 Aug. 2025, 9to5mac.com/2025/08/12/threads-crosses-400m-monthly-active-users-as-it-gains-on-x/.

Price, Emily. “Threads Just Achieved Its Biggest Milestone Yet.” FastCompany.Com, Fast Company, 12 Aug. 2025, www.fastcompany.com/91384230/meta-threads-just-achieved-its-biggest-milestone-yet.

Malik, Aisha. “Threads Now Has More than 400 Million Monthly Active Users.” TechCrunch.Com, TechCrunch, 12 Aug. 2025, techcrunch.com/2025/08/12/threads-now-has-more-than-400-million-monthly-active-users/.

“Waze Will End Updates for Older Android Devices Soon.” 9to5google.Com, Google, 11 Aug. 2025, 9to5google.com/2025/08/11/waze-will-end-updates-for-older-android-devices-soon/.

 


CMS 2026 Medicare Part D Bid Information:

“2026 Medicare Part D Bid Information and Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration Parameters.” CMS.Gov, CMS, 28 July 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-part-d-bid-information-and-part-d-premium-stabilization-demonstration-parameters.

2026 Medicare Part D Bid Info Likely Means Higher Premiums & Plan Disruption — Here's Why

The 2026 Medicare Part D Redesign Updates Agents Should Know

 


Medicare Part B Cost Projections:

“2025 Medicare Trustees Report.” CMS.Gov, CMS, 18 June 2025, www.cms.gov/oact/tr/2025.

LeValley, Donna. “Seven Medicare Changes Coming in 2026.” Kiplinger.Com, Kiplinger, 8 Aug. 2025, www.kiplinger.com/retirement/medicare/medicare-changes-coming-in-2026.

 


2026 COLA Estimate:

“2025 Medicare Trustees Report.” CMS.Gov, CMS, 18 June 2025, www.cms.gov/oact/tr/2025.

LeValley, Donna. “Seven Medicare Changes Coming in 2026.” Kiplinger.Com, Kiplinger, 8 Aug. 2025, www.kiplinger.com/retirement/medicare/medicare-changes-coming-in-2026.

 


CY2026 ACA Premium Rate Filings:

Minemyer, Paige. “KFF Analysis Finds a Median ACA Premium Hike of 18% for 2026.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, FierceHealthcare, 8 Aug. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/kff-analysis-finds-median-aca-premium-hike-18-2026.

Ortaliza, Jared, Matt McGough, Kaitlyn Vu, et al. “How Much and Why ACA Marketplace Premiums Are Going up in 2026.” Healthsystemtracker.Org, KFF, 6 Aug. 2025, www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/how-much-and-why-aca-marketplace-premiums-are-going-up-in-2026/.

 


Resources:

5 Things About ICHRA

2026 D-SNP Market Snapshot

2026 Midwest D-SNP Market Opportunity

Ritter Insurance Marketing Certification Center

Should You Hire an Assistant for Your Insurance Business?

What New Insurance Agents Need to Know

 


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