Open Enrollment is almost here. Are you ready to hit the ground running?
For ACA insurance agents, these final days before Open Enrollment feel like a race against the clock. Between checking certifications, confirming carrier appointments, organizing client information for conversations, and preparing for incoming questions, there’s a lot to wrap up.
You don’t need to change your whole process. Just make sure you have the basics covered.
With the 2027 ACA Open Enrollment Period starting Sunday, use this time to remove distractions, avoid last-minute issues, and help clients find the right coverage. Here’s your final preparation checklist.
Verify Your Marketplace(s) Certification(s) and Carrier Appointments
Before you help anyone enroll, confirm that you’re authorized and ready to do business. Verify that your 2027 Marketplace registration and training are complete.
Make sure you’ve signed the required agreements and that your National Producer Number (NPN) appears on the applicable registration completion list. Then check your state Marketplace certification(s) for any state exchange(s) you want to work in, carrier appointments, state licenses, and market availability.
Verify your credentials and carrier access before the first client appointment, and address any issues you find with these ASAP.
Review Your Existing Clients Before Chasing New Leads
Your current clients should be priority 1, especially those on non-renewing plans or with significant premium increases or benefit degradation. This includes clients losing CSRs or premium subsidies or receiving decreases in CSRs or premium subsidies.
At this point, you should know your clients in these situations and start conversations with them about alternative coverage options for 2027. You should also know about clients who’ve moved, changed jobs, experienced changes in income, or added household members.
A quick review now identifies where you are in this process to determine who needs more personal attention. Remind your other clients that automatic renewal doesn’t necessarily mean their current plan remains their best option.
Make a short list of clients who need to talk with you right away to secure their 2027 coverage.
Make Sure Your Enrollment Technology Actually Works
Technical issues slow you down, so test your Marketplace login, enrollment platforms, carrier portals, quoting tools, and CRM before Sunday. If you have a team, make sure everyone knows how to handle tech problems and where to get help.
Don’t forget to review any updates to Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) workflows. Run through a practice workflow without submitting a real consumer application.
Get Your Consumer Consent Process in Order
Compliance isn’t something you want to figure out during your busiest week. Obtain and document consumer consent before taking certain Marketplace actions, including accessing application information, providing enrollment assistance, and making coverage changes.
Agents must also document that consumers reviewed and confirmed the accuracy of their eligibility application information before submission. Check that your consent forms, digital signatures, and documentation procedures are ready and working.
Make sure your entire enrollment process captures the necessary consent, application confirmations, and CSR or premium subsidy documentation, if applicable.
Prepare for the Tough Premium and Subsidy Questions
Clients want to know how much their coverage costs next year, so be ready to discuss premium changes, deductibles, cost shares, and eligibility for financial assistance. Inform clients and prospects about the new premium tax credit and CSR rules and remind them that their eligibility depends on household income and family size.
Prepare simple explanations for common pricing questions so clients can compare their options with confidence.
Prioritize Client Outreach First
Proactive communication makes the enrollment season easier for everyone. Your client renewal emails, appointment reminders, follow-up messages, and outreach should already be in motion.
If you haven’t started, do it before Sunday. Let clients know what they’ll need, like updated income, household details, preferred providers, and prescription information.
Keep your messages helpful and to the point. A quick reminder to review coverage works better than a long explanation of every Marketplace change.
Schedule your initial communications and make sure clients know how to reach you. Use this same approach for prospective clients as they contact you starting Sunday.
Confirm the Dates and Build Your Enrollment Calendar
Be aware of the main federal Marketplace deadlines:
- Sunday, Open Enrollment begins
- December 15, 2026 – last day to enroll for January 1 coverage
- January 15, 2027 – Open Enrollment ends
- February 1, 2027 – coverage begins for eligible enrollments completed December 16 through January 15, provided the first premium is paid
Check state-based Marketplace schedules separately, as deadlines may differ. Put all key deadlines on your calendar and plan your follow-up campaigns around them.
The Final Push Before OEP Is About Being Ready, Not Being Busy
In the final 48 hours before OEP, focus on finishing your most important tasks. Check your certifications and credentials, continue or start your client outreach, test your tools, review compliance, and wrap up your outreach.
When you’ve done these steps, you’ll spend less time fixing problems and more time helping clients choose the right coverage. Finish strong now so you can start even stronger when OEP begins.
The Agility Difference
Agility’s ACA experts are here to brainstorm with all ACA agents on the best ways to finish your OEP preparations. You can call (866) 590-9771 or email support@enrollinsurance.com for immediate assistance from the ACA team. If you have questions or want to talk to our Medicare, CHOICE, Group, life, or ancillary experts, reach out to our dedicated Producer Support at this same phone number or email address.
We can add you to our weekly email list for tips and updates. Let Agility help you build your skills and discover new opportunities.
