Topics discussed in this Newsletter:
October Overview
Medicare Level 100 Update
Election Period IQ
MARC Update
Industry News
Looking Ahead
👋 Welcome & October Overview
Welcome back, Insurance Training HQ subscribers!
October is here, and AEP is officially underway!
As agents prepare for one of the busiest times of the year, we've been focused on something equally important: making sure our training continues to meet the needs of the agents who rely on it.
We've been taking a closer look at the Medicare Level 100 Core Foundation Series, reviewing course content, identifying opportunities for improvement, and listening to feedback from learners.
Our goal isn't simply to provide more training. It's to make existing training clearer, more practical, and more valuable for the agents using it.
We still have work ahead of us, but every improvement brings us closer to the experience we want to provide.
Let's take a look at what we've been working on and what's ahead!
🌹 September Recap
September was a busy and productive month for us at Insurance Training HQ! With the 2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) approaching, we focused on strengthening our training resources, reviewing course content, and helping agents prepare for the enrollment season ahead. As always, our goal is to make learning more practical, accessible, and valuable for the agents who trust us with their training.
Here are some key highlights from September:
✅ Election Period IQ - Qualifier Tool
We continue to develop the Election Period IQ - Qualifier tool to refine the election period workflows and qualification credibility to ensure the tool is a powerful resource for agents throughout AEP and OEP, but especially during the SEP selling season coming up. This tool should be fully developed by the end of 2026.
✅ Medicare Training and Course Reviews
As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen Medicare education, we continued reviewing the Medicare Level 100 Core Foundation Series, focusing on content accuracy, lesson clarity, and the overall learning experience.
✅ CE Credit Approval — Texas First
We continued working toward our goal of offering Continuing Education credits for eligible Medicare training courses, beginning with Texas. Course documentation and state requirements remain important parts of this process.
🎓 Medicare Level 100 Core Foundation Series
✓ Core Series Developed ↻ Course Content Reviews and Improvements Ongoing ⌛ CE Credit Approval Work in Progress
The Medicare Level 100 Core Foundation Series continues to be one of our key educational resources.
We built this series to give agents a structured understanding of Medicare, beginning with the fundamentals and progressing into more detailed coverage topics.
But developing a course is only part of the process. As Medicare rules and benefits evolve, we recognize the importance of reviewing existing lessons and making improvements where needed.
Course Content Improvements- Our ongoing reviews focus on several important areas:
Content Accuracy- Medicare rules, coverage amounts, and enrollment requirements can change. We want our training materials to reflect applicable guidance and explain important concepts correctly.
Clearer Explanations- Some Medicare topics can be difficult to understand, especially for agents entering the industry. We're reviewing lessons to identify where additional explanations, clearer language, or practical examples may improve understanding.
Knowledge Checks and Assessments- We continue identifying opportunities to improve question clarity, answer choices, and the overall assessment experience.
Learner Feedback- Comments about lesson pacing, course length, navigation, and practical exercises help us understand which areas may need additional attention.
What This Means for You- Our goal is to create training that goes beyond memorizing Medicare terminology. We want agents to understand what they've learned, recognize how different Medicare options work, and feel more prepared when speaking with beneficiaries.
The Medicare Level 100 series is part of that commitment, and we'll continue working to make it a valuable learning resource.
Pricing reminder:
Agent HQ Plus members get the full series included with membership.
Agent HQ Light members can purchase individual courses at $19.99 or the full series for $199.00
Continuing Education (CE) Credit Progress
We're continuing our efforts to secure (CE) approval for eligible courses in our Medicare Level 100 Core Foundation Series, starting with Texas.
Our focus is on meeting state requirements and preparing the necessary documentation to make our training even more valuable for agents.
Where We Stand
The approval process is still underway, and we're excited about the opportunity to help agents strengthen their Medicare knowledge while earning CE credits in the future.
We'll keep you updated as we make progress. Stay tuned!
🧠 Election Period IQ — Qualifier Tool
We are continuing to develop this tool on a monthly basis. We have updated the Disaster SEP (SEP-DST) to include more carriers approved list of disasters. We will be updating the 5-Start SEP to include 2027 plans. Additionally we will begin to develop the other Special Election Periods workflow process.
With the 2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) underway, we're continuing to highlight tools that help agents navigate Medicare enrollment rules with confidence.
Election Period IQ makes it easier to explore potential enrollment opportunities through guided questions, helpful references, and screening results.
Whether you're reviewing Annual Enrollment Period rules or exploring Special Election Periods (SEPs), the tool can help simplify the process.
How to Access: Visit https://www.electionperiodiq.com to create a free account and explore the Qualifier Tool.
⚠️Important Reminder:
Election Period IQ is a guidance tool and does not determine enrollment eligibility. Agents should always verify information with CMS and the applicable carrier before submitting applications.
🌐 Medicare Agent Resource Center (MARC)
Recent updates to the Medicare Agent Resource Center (MARC) platform provide enhanced features for Insurance Training HQ - Agent HQ Plus members. Specifically, comprehensive information regarding the Extra Help - Low Income Subsidy (LIS) program has been incorporated.
Key LIS Coverage Highlights:
Program overview and definitions
Eligibility requirements
Breakdown of LIS levels
Application process and instructions
Essential agent guidance and notes
To improve user navigation and experience, the MARC platform has been reorganized into distinct structured sections:
Section 1: Agent & Carrier Resources
Section 2: Assistance & Subsidy Programs
Section 3: Medicare Product Resources, Job Aids, & Training Videos
Additional resources will continuously be added as we build MARC into a central, comprehensive hub for agent tools and training.
📰Industry News
Here are five important developments in the Medicare industry as the 2027 Annual Enrollment Period gets underway. From updated CMS ratings to changes in prescription drug costs, these are developments every Medicare agent and agency leader should be aware of.
📅 2027 Medicare AEP Is Officially Underway
The 2027 Annual Enrollment Period kicked off on October 15, 2026, and runs through December 7 with plans becoming effective January 1st 2027. This is the time when Medicare beneficiaries can review their coverage and make changes for the upcoming year.
Why It Matters: AEP isn't just about enrolling clients. It's about making sure their coverage still meets their needs.
For agents: Double-check your certifications, review the 2027 plan details, and don't overlook changes to formularies, provider networks, and out-of-pocket costs.
💰 Medicare Advantage Premiums Expected to Drop in 2027
On September 28, CMS announced that average Medicare Advantage premiums are projected to decrease from $14.37 to $12.00 per month in 2027. Standalone Part D premiums, meanwhile, are expected to increase slightly.
Why It Matters: Lower premiums sound great, but they don't always mean lower overall costs. A plan's deductible, copays, and prescription coverage can make a big difference.
For agents: Look beyond the monthly premium and help clients understand what they'll actually pay.
⭐ CMS Releases 2027 Medicare Star Ratings
CMS published the latest Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings on October 8, 2026, giving beneficiaries updated information about plan quality and performance.
Why It Matters: A five-star plan isn't automatically the best plan for everyone. Coverage needs, medications, and provider access still matter.
For agents: Use Star Ratings as one part of the conversation, not the deciding factor.
Source: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2027-medicare-advantage-part-d-star-ratings
💊 Medicare Part D Costs Are Changing
For 2027, the maximum standard Part D deductible increases from $615 to $700, while the annual out-of-pocket threshold rises from $2,100 to $2,400.
Why It Matters: These changes could affect beneficiaries' prescription drug expenses, especially those who take medications regularly.
For agents: Review updated formularies, pharmacy networks, and drug costs before recommending a plan.
Source: https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/part-d/basics/costs
📋 CMS Updates Enrollment Guidance for 2027
CMS issued updated Medicare Advantage and Part D enrollment guidance in August and September, with changes generally applying to enrollment requests received beginning January 1, 2027.
Why It Matters: Enrollment rules can be complicated, and relying on outdated procedures can create unnecessary problems.
For agents: Refresh your knowledge of election periods and confirm enrollment eligibility before submitting applications.
Source: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/enrollment-renewal/managed-care-eligibility-enrollment
🔎 2027 Medicare Plan Comparison Is Available
CMS issued updated Medicare Advantage and Part D enrollment guidance in August and September, with changes generally applying to enrollment requests received beginning January 1, 2027.
Why It Matters: Enrollment rules can be complicated, and relying on outdated procedures can create unnecessary problems.
For agents: Refresh your knowledge of election periods and confirm enrollment eligibility before submitting applications. Check out Election Period IQ to help with election period eligibility checks.
Source: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/enrollment-renewal/managed-care-eligibility-enrollment
🔭 Looking Ahead
As we continue through the final months of 2026, our focus remains on improving the learning experience and building resources that support insurance agents beyond initial certification.
Our Priorities Moving Forward
1. Continue Improving Medicare Level 100
We plan to keep reviewing course content, learner feedback, and opportunities to improve lesson delivery and assessments.
2. Continue Working Toward CE Approval
Texas remains our initial focus as we work through the documentation and requirements associated with CE course approval.
3. Strengthen Existing Resources
Our longer-term vision includes continued development of the Medicare Agent Resource Center and educational tools such as Election Period IQ.
4. Support Ongoing Agent Development
We want our members to have access to practical knowledge that helps them navigate Medicare topics, prepare for enrollment periods, and continue building their professional skills.
A Final Message
We're grateful for everyone who has supported Insurance Training HQ and followed our progress.
Building valuable training resources takes time, feedback, and continuous improvement. We appreciate the opportunity to keep developing this platform for the agents and agency leaders who believe in what we're creating.
As AEP continues, remember that preparation, knowledge, and a commitment to serving beneficiaries are important parts of long-term success.
Thank you for being part of the Insurance Training HQ community.
Here's to another month of learning, growth, and progress!
— The Insurance Training HQ Team
