AEP 2026: A 90-Day Preparation Timeline for Medicare Agents

Every Medicare agent knows the Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7. The difference between a chaotic AEP and a record one is what happens in July, August, and September.

July: certifications and contracts

Knock out AHIP the week it opens and push scores to carriers immediately. Review your carrier lineup while there is still time to add contracts; if a strong plan entered your county this year, get appointed before the rush. Audit your errors and omissions coverage renewal date while you are at it.

August: know your book

Export every client, their plan, and their county. Flag anyone whose plan showed weak star ratings or benefit cuts last year; these are the members most likely to see disruptive changes in their Annual Notice of Change. Start booking annual review appointments for the second half of October now, before other agents fill those calendar slots.

September: outreach and logistics

Send your AEP letter or email mid-month: what AEP is, what clients should look for in their ANOC, and how to book time with you. Confirm your Scope of Appointment workflow and call recording setup meet current CMS rules. Prepare a one-page plan-year summary template so October comparisons take minutes.

Then, when October 1 releases next year's plan details, you are reading them with a booked calendar instead of scrambling for appointments. That is the whole trick.