When is Medicare AEP?

The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7 each year, with changes effective January 1. It's when most Medicare Advantage and Part D business is written, so agents prepare and certify well in advance.

Can I sell Medicare year-round or only during AEP?

Both. AEP is the peak, but Special Enrollment Periods (from moves, loss of coverage, Medicaid/LIS changes, etc.) and the Initial Enrollment Period around age 65 let you write business throughout the year.

What certifications do I need to sell Medicare Advantage?

You need to pass AHIP for the plan year plus each carrier's product certification before they'll let you sell their plans. AHIP typically opens in late June, so certify over the summer ahead of AEP.

How to Sell Medicare Advantage: AEP, SEP & the Agent's Playbook

Medicare Advantage is the engine of many independent agents' income — renewals compound year after year, and demand grows as 10,000+ Americans age into Medicare every day. Here's the agent's playbook.

Know the enrollment calendar (it runs your year)

AEP (Annual Enrollment Period): Oct 15 – Dec 7. The big one. Anyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop MA/Part D plans; changes take effect Jan 1. Most agents write the bulk of their year here.
MA OEP: Jan 1 – Mar 31. People already on a Medicare Advantage plan can make one change.
SEPs (Special Enrollment Periods): triggered by life events — moving, losing coverage, gaining/losing Medicaid/LIS, etc. SEPs let you write business year-round, which is how smart agents stay productive outside AEP.
IEP (Initial Enrollment Period): the 7-month window around someone's 65th birthday — a steady stream of brand-new beneficiaries.

Get certified before you can sell

Each plan year you must pass AHIP plus each carrier's product certifications before they release you to sell their plans. AHIP for the new year usually opens in late June — certify in the summer so you're ready well before AEP.

Compliance is not optional

Medicare marketing is tightly regulated by CMS. Know the rules: collect a Scope of Appointment before discussing plans, record calls where required, avoid prohibited cold-contact and gifts, and use only CMS-approved materials. One compliance miss can cost your contracts — build good habits from day one.

Build a book that renews

Lead with the client's doctors and drugs. Run their providers and prescriptions through the plan finder; fit beats price.
Cross-sell dental/vision/hospital indemnity to add income and stickiness.
Service the book year-round so they renew with you and refer their friends.

Why Medicare rewards the patient agent

The first year is commission; every year after is a renewal you own. A few hundred loyal clients become a large, predictable income that grows while you sleep — if you build it right.

Bridgepoint walks new Medicare agents through AHIP, carrier certs, and a compliant sales process, then feeds you leads to put it to work. Apply before AEP and hit the ground running.