When President Trump took office for the second time, few people expected things to remain the same, and so far, that assumption has proven true. Nearly every day, we hear about the administration’s efforts to reverse many of the policies enacted during President Biden’s term. The health insurance industry is seeing its fair share of changes as well.

One of the most notable proposals? A shortened open enrollment period for ACA individual health insurance plans. As he did during his first administration, President Trump is once again proposing to reduce the enrollment window—from 2.5 months to just six weeks—ending enrollment on December 15 instead of January 15.

As the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) explains in a March 10, 2025 press release, this change is part of a broader plan to curb improper enrollments and reduce federal spending.

While a condensed timeline presents challenges, it also brings opportunity. For the first time in years, agents who focus on individual coverage might actually get to enjoy the holidays without scrambling to wrap up enrollments. But a shorter enrollment window means there’s no room for delay or disorganization. Efficiency is no longer optional—it’s essential.

That work starts now.

Use the Off-Season to Sell Ancillary Products

One of the smartest strategies you can implement is to get your ancillary product sales out of the way before open enrollment hits. Products like dental, accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness insurance can be sold year-round. By addressing those needs now, you free up valuable time and mental bandwidth to focus exclusively on major medical coverage when it matters most.

Plus, clients appreciate a proactive approach. It’s a great way to stay top-of-mind and continue providing value throughout the year.

Start Prepping Early: What to Do Now

Preparation doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A few small steps taken now can save you a lot of stress later. Here’s a quick checklist to help you get ready:

  • Update your client list and flag anyone who may be aging off a parent’s plan or losing coverage.
  • Check your State Appointments. If you’ve added additional non-resident state licenses since initial contracting, be sure to check your state appointments with every carrier to ensure you’re able to market in those states and collect commissions.
  • Make sure your certifications are up to date, including FFM and carrier-specific training. While the certifications and training may not yet be available, you can certainly start the appointment process now.
  • Audit your quoting tools and CRM—do you need to upgrade or simplify anything? Need a training refresher?
  • Schedule pre-enrollment outreach, like reminder emails or renewal check-ins.
  • Block time on your calendar now to avoid overcommitting during those crucial six weeks.

Get in Touch with Clients Early

Don’t wait until October 31 to reach out; start warming up your book of business now. Send a newsletter with upcoming changes, or a short series of emails that explain how the shorter enrollment period will work and what clients can expect.

This early engagement not only builds trust, it also makes the eventual enrollment process smoother and faster. Clients who are informed are more likely to act quickly and make good decisions.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Let’s face it—open enrollment is intense. A shorter season compresses all that intensity into an even tighter window. But it also means the chaos ends sooner, if you manage it right. Now is the time to:

  • Review and streamline your workflow.
  • Automate appointment scheduling and reminders.
  • Create templated messages for common client questions.
  • Set clear daily and weekly goals for enrollment activity.

Consider Teaming Up or Outsourcing

If you’re a solo producer or part of a small team, this is the year to think strategically about your support systems. Consider outsourcing tasks like marketing or data entry, or maybe teaming up with another agent to handle high volumes. The more time you can reclaim, the more time you can spend advising clients and closing sales.

And don’t forget—AHCP should be part of your team! We can help you get contracted with additional carriers, expand your portfolio with new product lines, and provide the product training you need to hit the ground running. Our quoting tools and tech solutions are designed to help you work faster and smarter. And when you’re in the middle of open enrollment, scrambling to finalize last-minute sales before the cutoff date, our team is here to offer real support to get you across the finish line.

Want to learn more? Reach out to one of our team members today—we’re here to help you succeed.

Bottom line:

The new rules may change the game, but the agents who plan ahead will win it. Take your break, enjoy some downtime, but then get ready to hit the ground running. Open enrollment will be here before you know it, and this year, every single day will count.