The 2026 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal in recent years, with major regulatory changes, evolving compliance standards, and significant updates to the tools agents rely on. In a recent webinar hosted by O’Neill Marketing and HealthSherpa, industry experts broke down what’s coming, how to prepare, and the resources available to help you navigate this new landscape with confidence.
Key ACA & Marketplace Updates for 2026 OEP
Program Integrity Changes (Effective Aug. 25, 2025) *:
≤150% FPL SEP eliminated – Monthly low-income SEPs end; valid QLEs with documentation required.
$5 premium for $0 renewals – Passive renewals into $0 plans will trigger a $5 monthly premium. Active renewals avoid this.
Stricter DMIs – More frequent income checks; only 90 days to resolve.
Failure-to-reconcile penalties – Missing 2023/2024 tax filings will make clients ineligible for subsidies.
*Due to the recent court case in Maryland, many of the CMS Program Integrity changes set to go live on August 25th have been paused until further notice. You can read more about that lawsuit here.
Enhanced Tax Credits May Expire (End of 2025):
$0 Silver plans could disappear, leaving clients with $20–$75 premiums.
Households over 400% FPL lose subsidy eligibility.
Tools to Help Agents Prepare:
HealthSherpa: Impact reporting, real-time policy status, TurboRenew, side-by-side comparisons, document upload, consent library.
O’Neill Marketing Agent Portal: Carrier appointment tracking, submissions & book-of-business matching, agency management tools, and client data hub.
Takeaways for Agents:
Start early on carrier appointments and transfers.
Prioritize active renewals to prevent surprise charges.
Segment and know your book of business.
Stay informed with O’Neill Marketing updates and training.
Bottom Line:
OEP 2026 brings new compliance challenges, but with the right tools and preparation, you can stay efficient, protect clients, and grow your book of business.
