When is a good time to start preparing for AEP?

Answered by 15 licensed agents

October 15 th begins

sign up for AEP so now is a good time to research and review the plans that are available in your area.

What are your needs, what are your expectations?

What plans does your doctor except?

So when you do decide to speak with a medicare agent you will be prepared.

Answered by Bill Wheeler on July 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in KY & IN

Answered by Bill Wheeler Medicare Insurance Agent
It is a very good question and there are various timelines to follow.

Periodically, you can check mainstream media to identify what changes are happening in the healthcare industry. Mainstream media may leak information or make announcements based on what insurance carriers may release on their own news releases.

If you have a Medicare Supplement or Medigap plan, you can get ahead of the curve. Medicare Beneficiaries have anniversaries at different times of the year. You do not have to wait for annual enrollment period to change a Medicare Supplement or Medigap plan.

Agents usually can only start certifying in late June and it can take independent agents several months to certify for the new annual enrollment period as insurance carriers have different release dates for agents to complete certification requirements for that carrier.

Annual Notice of Changes (The Insurance Industry calls it ANOC for short) usually comes out in September. Please make note of all of the changes that will take place January 1st should you decide to keep your current plan.

One thing that is important is making sure all of your information such you keep a list updated of you current doctors and specialists, as well as all of your medications (Make sure to make note of exact name of prescription as it could be a brand name or generic), the dose, and frequency you take your prescriptions as well as preferred pharmacy or pharmacies. Some agents have different resources that can share with you to update this information and some even update the information on Medicare.gov.

From October 1st - October 14th, Medicare agents or brokers can review the upcoming year's plans with you. However, please note that Medicare agents or brokers cannot make any changes until the official Annual Enrollment Period begins. Annual Enrollment Period is from October 15th - December 7th of each year. Any changes will take place on January 1st.

Answered by Steven Whetstine on June 29, 2025

Agent Licensed in AZ, ID, IN & 8 other states

Answered by Steven Whetstine Medicare Insurance Agent
Start reading and preparing late September or early October. Agents are allowed to tell you about the new plans coming for the next year starting 10/01 but cannot submit an application until 10/15. I hope this helps.

Answered by Edward Smith, ChFC, CRPS, AIF on June 30, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, GA, IN, KY & SC

Answered by Edward Smith, ChFC, CRPS, AIF Medicare Insurance Agent
The new Medicare plans become available for general public knowledge October 1st but no applications can be submitted until October 15th. I think a great time to start preparing for AEP would be in September just to make sure plans are in place, however, at the very least start October 1st.

Answered by Michael Andrews on June 30, 2025

Broker Licensed in CT

Answered by Michael Andrews Medicare Insurance Agent
Always. Need to be prepping year round with people you couldn't help as well as those you can. Make sure to be keeping notes on them also.

Answered by Holt Rushing on June 30, 2025

Broker Licensed in MS, AK, AL & 29 other states

Answered by Holt Rushing Medicare Insurance Agent
There is no specific date to start preparing. You should should looking for a letter from your current Medicare Advantage plan starting in August. This is when the carriers start sending out you Annual Notice of Change letter (ANOC).

The ANOC letter will tell you if, and how, your current plan will change, starting January 1st of the next year. Because all plans don't settle on their changes at the same time they send their letters on different dates however they must be delivered by September 30th. Agents and brokers are not permitted to discuss the new plans until October 1st.

The annual Enrollment Period starts on October 15th.

Answered by Mark Bilgere on July 17, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AR, IN & LA, MN, NE & OK

Answered by Mark Bilgere Medicare Insurance Agent
It should be on your radar when you receive your Annual Notice of Changes in the mail in late September.

However, companies don't release all their plan details until October 1st—even to agents! This means that the first week of October, companies are getting all of the links and Summary of Benefits live, and the agents are devouring them to figure out all the details.

Doing some preliminary research in the first week of October is okay, but you'll likely get the best info after the 7th of October and afterward.

Answered by Stuart Graham on June 30, 2025

Broker Licensed in GA, AL, LA, MS, SC & TN

Answered by Stuart Graham Medicare Insurance Agent
When you receive your annual of changes. Usually in late September or Early October. The notice will advise you of any plan changes you may have.

Answered by Michael Pyers on July 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH & MI

Answered by Michael Pyers Medicare Insurance Agent
You should be in your contact with your broker on a October one. He is not allowed to discuss anything about AEP with you until then. You still have plenty of time to go everything in detail to see if you need to make any changes during AEP. Your broker will want to review the medicines. You’re taking any changes and Dr. you’re seeing. And answer all your questions.

Answered by Walt Smith on July 7, 2025

Agent Licensed in NJ, PA & VA

Answered by Walt Smith Medicare Insurance Agent
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) officially runs from October 15th to December 7th each year, but successful agents start preparing much earlier. To maximize productivity, begin preparing in July or August, ensuring you complete contracting and certifications before October 15th. This allows ample time to study plan details, strategize, and be ready to effectively serve clients during the busy enrollment period.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

July - September:

Carriers release their certification courses for selling Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. This is the time to get your certifications and contracting completed.

August - October:

Carriers release information about next year's plans. Use this time to analyze the new plans, understand the changes, and develop your selling strategy.

October 15th - December 7th:

The AEP itself. This is when beneficiaries can make changes to their coverage.

After AEP (December 8th onwards):

Reflect on the AEP, analyze what worked well and what could be improved for future years.

By starting your preparation early, you can avoid the last-minute rush and be better prepared to assist your clients during the Annual Enrollment Period.

Answered by Fred Manas on June 30, 2025

Agent Licensed in NY, CT, DC & 7 other states

Answered by Fred Manas Medicare Insurance Agent
is now, in June, even though the official period doesn't begin until October 15th. This allows for ample time to complete certifications, organize your business, and develop a strong marketing strategy.

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on June 30, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian Medicare Insurance Agent
October 1 you might start hearing from your current agent, but you can’t start enrolling until October 15.

Answered by Todd Bostic on June 30, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AL, AZ & 12 other states

Answered by Todd Bostic Medicare Insurance Agent
Questions about the new plans for the following year can be answered on or after October 1 of each year, but no application can be summited, if you are making a change, until October 15 of each year. Preparation depends on what you are wanting to prepare for during AEP?

Answered by Judi Norton on July 15, 2025

Agent Licensed in NM

Answered by Judi Norton Medicare Insurance Agent
A good time to start preparing for AEP would be around mid September- beginning of October range.

Starting around mid September, be on the lookout for the Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC) that your current insurance carrier may send you in the mail that would point out any upcoming changes to your coverage that you would need to be aware of.

Starting October 1st, you can compare your current plan for 2026 against other available options....then you'll have from October 15 to December 7 to officially make any switches or make adjustments to your plans.

Answered by Eric Jensen on July 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AZ, CA & 8 other states

Answered by Eric Jensen Medicare Insurance Agent
Thank you for your question.

The best time to start preparing for AEP (Annual Enrollment Period) is now through September. This gives us time to:

Review your current coverage and any changes in your health or medications

Discuss your needs and budget

Prepare for plan updates that have taken effect in 2025

AEP runs from October 15 to December 7, which is when you can officially enroll or make changes for 2026 coverage.

For 2026 Medicare Advantage plan details, insurance companies can start sharing general information in late summer or early fall of 2025, but official marketing and plan reviews for 2026 will begin October 1, 2025.

Having a good agent is valuable because I compare multiple plans from different insurance companies to find what best fits your needs – at no cost to you. I’m here to make the process easy, clear, and fully compliant.

Answered by David Alelishvili on July 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in NY

Answered by David Alelishvili Medicare Insurance Agent

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