Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Nearly 87% of health insurance agents think that this enrollment season will be as difficult or more difficult than the previous enrollment season. This means agents need to prepare now and have automated processes in place to succeed.
- Half of health agents want to grow their business, and a third want to put automated processes into place. This shows agents are dedicated to finding the right tools that help them reach their goals and save time.
- Over 60% of agents say they are ready for the upcoming enrollment season. Even with big changes in place, busier schedules, and increasing demand, agents know they can succeed this enrollment season because they have the support they need.
How Agents Are Preparing for the 2026 Enrollment Season
We know enrollment season is one of the biggest topics of conversation for health insurance agencies. Whether it’s preparing for it, surviving through it, or digging out of it, many agents’ lives revolve around what happens between October and December each year.
To help you feel less alone and more prepared, we asked the health insurance agent community about how they’re preparing for this upcoming enrollment season and what trends they’re seeing in the market today. Use these insights to align your strategies with broader industry patterns, ensuring that you remain informed and equipped to tackle the upcoming season with confidence and clarity.
For background, here are some of the demographics of the respondents:
- What is their experience? 84% of respondents have been in the industry for 4+ years, with 56.5% of those noting they’ve been in the field for 11+ years.
- What is their role? Nearly 60% of respondents said they were a producer, agent, or advisor.
- How big is their book of business? 64% of respondents stated they have 500+ active policies in their book of business.
Ready to streamline your OEP efforts?
Having the right technology can mean the difference between simply surviving and thriving. From built-in compliance to automation to critical integrations to task management, agencies using AgencyBloc’s solutions find they save more time, can have more focus, and sell more during AEP/OEP.
Watch the Overview Video
Key Findings from Our 2026 Open Enrollment Preparedness Survey
We sent the 2026 Open Enrollment Preparedness Survey in June 2025, and asked 15 questions regarding agents’ preparation for and feelings about the upcoming enrollment season. Read on for some of our top findings.
Comparing the 2026 Enrollment Season to Previous Years
The first enrollment-focused question of our survey was: “Compared to last year, do you expect this enrollment season to be…”
Source | AgencyBloc
The results of this question aren’t surprising. Between anecdotal feedback from agents and reports about the changes with ACA, it’s easy to believe that the 2026 enrollment season will be more difficult than previous years. We also found out from the survey that 70% of agents expect to be busier this enrollment season than they have in years past.
We’ve seen a significant uptick in activity year-over-year with the 2025 and 2026 enrollment seasons. Factors contributing to this activity include:
- Decreasing carrier and coverage options
- Changes in plan coverage
- Continued increases in premiums and drug prices
On top of that, there has been a lot of discussion about healthcare coverage in the recent media. All of these factors push policyholders and beneficiaries to explore their options and consider changes.
Now, more than ever, agents have the opportunity to present themselves as educational leaders who can guide policyholders and beneficiaries.
On the plus side, there have been fewer compliance changes, especially in the Medicare space, which reduces workloads for agents overall. However, on the Medicare side, there is continued change with commission structures and which carriers/plans are providing commissions.
Source | YouTube
Top Goals for Agents During Open Enrollment
We often hear many different goals from agents about what they want to achieve during Open Enrollment. Here’s what we found in our survey:
- 51% of agents want to grow the number of active policies in their book of business
- 31% of agents want to leverage automation to replace manual tasks
- 13% of agents want to improve client retention
- 4% of agents want to expand into new lines of business
Growth is often the #1 goal we hear about from health and benefits agents, and the fact that automation is number two is no surprise either. Automation has been a big buzzword for all businesses over the last couple of years, but especially in 2025. It asks the question: “How can we do more with less by better utilizing our tools?”
Save 100+ Hours During Open Enrollment
Agencies use AMS+ to automate client and prospect touchpoints, task management, onboarding, and so much more. What could you do with a second pair of digital hands?
Watch the Overview Video
Top Concerns for Agents During Open Enrollment
With goals and growth comes concerns. These are the top concerns agents noted for the 2026 Enrollment Season.
Source | AgencyBloc
As we mentioned earlier, the primary concern is the numerous CMS and/or carrier changes. It’s no surprise that it is the number one worry on the minds of agents. If you’re feeling that stomach ache, then know that you are not alone.
The next two largest concerns were plan availability and client confusion. Again, there is a lot of misinformation circulating about health insurance, coverage options, etc. Your clients and prospects will likely have more questions this year and will be looking to you for guidance.
We cannot overstate this enough: agents can play a pivotal role this enrollment season in showcasing their expertise, providing education, and reducing worry across the board.
We also asked about what agents are hearing as the primary concern from their clients and prospects. This is what we found:
- 35% said carrier changes and plan adjustments — Policyholders are worried about what options will be available during the 2026 enrollment season and what that means for them and their family’s coverage. One response put it simply: “They are concerned about whether their plans are going away.”
- 33% said healthcare affordability — Premiums, prescription drug prices, and out-of-pocket maximums are all on the rise, and policyholders are feeling the strain. What options can you present that are budget-friendly AND comprehensive?
- 29% said misinformation and confusion — There is a lot of information circling around. Many policyholders are just confused. They’re confused about what all of the information means, how it will affect their family, and what the next steps are.
Are Agents Ready for the 2026 Open Enrollment Season?
Open Enrollment is always an opportunity for health, benefits, and Medicare agents to showcase their knowledge and provide support. The coming enrollment season is no different.
Even with more clients and prospects looking to make changes, more questions about what is covered, and more uncertainty about prices, one thing remains constant: it’s still enrollment season. That’s why we asked this last question: Do you feel like you have the support you need to be successful during enrollment season?
Source | AgencyBloc
As we kick off the 2026 enrollment season, do a quick check: do you have the tools and resources you need to succeed? If not, what could be your differentiator?
We wish you the best enrollment season. If you’re looking to organize your business, streamline compliance management, and automate communications, we have the tools to help. It’s never too late to get started. Schedule a demo to see AgencyBloc live today and get started as early as tomorrow.
Posted
by Allison Babberl
on Tuesday, September 9, 2025
in
Insurance Agents/Agencies
- industry news
- open enrollment
- productivity
About The Author
Allison is the Content Marketing Manager at AgencyBloc. She manages the creation and schedule of all educational content for our BlocTalk and Member communities. Favorite quote: “Conversation is the bedrock of relationships. Without it, our relationships are devoid of substance.”
... read more