As the 2027 Annual Enrollment Period approaches, now is the time for Medicare agents to start preparing for carrier certifications.
Each year, Medicare Advantage and Part D carriers release certification requirements ahead of AEP. Completing these certifications early helps agents stay ready to sell, avoid last-minute delays, and make sure they are positioned to support clients when plan activity begins to increase.
Related: 2027 AHIP Medicare Training Updates
Below is a current summary of 2027 certification kickoff dates from several of our carrier partners. We are still waiting on confirmation from some additional carriers, so agents should continue watching for updates and reviewing carrier communications.
| Carrier | 2027 Certification Kickoff Date |
|---|---|
| Aetna | June 23 |
| Devoted | June 23 |
| Elevance | June 30 |
| Florida Blue | June 22 |
| HCSC | July 8 |
| HealthSpring | July 1 |
| Humana MGA | July 8 |
| Humana SA | July 8 |
| Molina | July 9 |
| UnitedHealthcare | June 8 - View |
| Wellcare | July 21 |
| Zing | June 26 |
Carrier certifications are one of the most important first steps in AEP preparation. Agents who wait too long may run into unnecessary delays, platform issues, incomplete training requirements, or missed ready-to-sell status updates.
Getting certified early gives you more time to complete AHIP and carrier-specific training, review product changes, confirm ready-to-sell status, prepare your marketing, and organize client outreach before the season picks up.
AEP moves quickly. Having your certifications completed early allows you to shift your focus from administrative tasks to client conversations, retention, and new sales opportunities.
Certification is only one part of getting ready for AEP.
That is why we recently updated our AEP Preparation Guide for Agents, a practical resource built to help Medicare agents approach the Annual Enrollment Period with more structure, confidence, and clarity.
The guide brings key AEP planning topics together in one place, including AEP overview information, Medicare changes, agent preparation checklists, sales strategies, compliance reminders, training resources, marketing outreach, client engagement, retention, tools, technology, and agent success tips.
Whether you are a newer Medicare agent building your first serious AEP plan or an experienced producer looking to tighten your process, this guide is worth bookmarking.
Explore the updated AEP Preparation Guide:
https://www.psmbrokerage.com/aep-preparation-guide
Use it alongside your certification calendar to make sure you are not just certified, but fully prepared for the season ahead.
While kickoff dates are important, each carrier may have different requirements, training platforms, passing scores, retry limits, product modules, or state-specific steps.
Agents should review the attached certification details carefully and check each carrier portal for the most accurate instructions.
In some cases, completing AHIP may satisfy part of the certification requirement. In other cases, carriers may require additional product, compliance, or market-specific modules before an agent is considered ready to sell.
The strongest AEP seasons are built before enrollment begins. Certification is one of the first major checkpoints in that process.
Use these dates to plan ahead, block time for training, and make sure your carrier appointments are ready before the busy season begins. Then use the updated AEP Preparation Guide to organize the rest of your strategy, from client outreach and compliance to marketing, technology, and retention.
PSM Brokerage will continue to share updates as additional 2027 certification information becomes available.
If you have questions about carrier certifications, AHIP, contracting, or your ready-to-sell status, our team is here to help.
Contact PSM Brokerage today to make sure you are prepared for the 2027 AEP season.