---
title: "The ACA OEP Renewal Automation Guide (2026–2027 Season)"
description: "How to automate ACA Open Enrollment renewals from Nov 1 to Jan 15: APTC reverification, plan re-shopping, CSR-100 year-round flows, and EDE workflow."
url: https://unlockedcrm.ai/blog/aca-oep-renewal-automation-guide
canonical: https://unlockedcrm.ai/blog/aca-oep-renewal-automation-guide
category: "Renewal Automation"
published: 2026-05-20
updated: 2026-05-20
author: "unLocked CRM Team"
source: unLocked CRM — AI CRM for insurance agents
---

# The ACA OEP Renewal Automation Guide (2026–2027 Season)

## TL;DR

ACA OEP runs November 1 to January 15. Automate the renewal cycle in four passes: pre-OEP data + APTC reverification (October), active re-shopping in November, January 15 deadline push, and post-OEP CSR-100 + SEP outreach year-round. Agencies that automate retain 88–94% of their PMPM commission stream.

## Key data points

- ACA OEP runs November 1 to January 15 in most states — 76 days that decide the next 12 months of PMPM commission.
- Auto-renewal happens by default, but premium and APTC changes mean 35–50% of renewals are sub-optimal without active re-shopping.
- Tribal CSR-100 members can enroll year-round outside OEP and represent a high-LTV segment.

ACA renewals are different from Medicare. Auto-renewal happens by default, which lulls agents into doing nothing. The problem: premium and APTC changes mean 35–50% of clients end up on a sub-optimal plan if you don't actively re-shop.

This is the automated workflow we run for ACA-focused agencies.

## Phase 1: Pre-OEP (October 1–31)

1. Pull active book. Segment by household, APTC tier, and carrier.
2. Email every household: "OEP is coming — reply to confirm income or report changes."
3. Re-verify APTC eligibility for households with income changes.
4. Flag households with carrier exits or major plan restructures for 2027.

## Phase 2: OEP Active Re-Shopping (November 1 – December 15)

5. Run a re-shop on every household using the 2027 plan data.
6. Segment: "auto-renew is best", "active change recommended", "change required (carrier exit)".
7. Outreach in order of impact — biggest savings or biggest risk first.
8. Use the EDE-certified platform (HealthSherpa is standard) for re-enrollment.
9. Document every plan recommendation.

## Phase 3: Deadline Push (December 16 – January 15)

10. Outreach to households that haven't engaged.
11. Final reminder Jan 10, Jan 13, Jan 14.
12. Process Jan 15 deadline enrollments.

## Phase 4: Post-OEP Year-Round (Jan 16 onward)

13. Reconcile carrier confirmations against enrollments.
14. Build SEP pipeline: marriage, birth, job loss, move, income change.
15. Tribal CSR-100 outreach — year-round enrollment for eligible members.
16. Monitor 90-day APTC grace periods — risk of policy termination.

## Auto-Renewal vs Active Re-Shopping

Auto-renewal is the default. Here's why active re-shopping matters:

| Scenario | Auto-Renewal Outcome | Active Re-Shop Outcome |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Carrier exit | Mapped to carrier's best guess | Optimal new carrier chosen |
| APTC change | Premium shock | Adjusted plan or tier |
| Formulary drop | Drug no longer covered | Plan with drug coverage |
| Network change | Doctor out of network | Plan with doctor in network |

35–50% of households have at least one of these issues annually.

## CSR-100 Year-Round Workflow

Tribal members eligible for CSR-100 (zero cost-sharing) can enroll year-round. Build a separate workflow:

- Tribal enrollment verification at intake
- Year-round outreach (not just OEP)
- SEP documentation when triggered
- Higher-touch service model (these are high-LTV members)

## Commission Reality

ACA commissions pay PMPM ($15–$35) with a 60–90 day lag. Active re-shopping increases:

- Retention (clients stay because the plan actually fits)
- Per-household premium (better plans = higher PMPM)
- Referrals (clients refer when they know you actively shopped)

Agencies that automate active re-shopping retain 88–94% of PMPM commission year-over-year.

## FAQ

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## Related

- https://unlockedcrm.ai/blog/medicare-aep-renewal-checklist-2027
- https://unlockedcrm.ai/blog/aca-csr-payment-timing-explained
- https://unlockedcrm.ai/blog/best-aca-enrollment-software-2026

---

Source: [The ACA OEP Renewal Automation Guide (2026–2027 Season)](https://unlockedcrm.ai/blog/aca-oep-renewal-automation-guide) — unLocked CRM, the AI CRM built for insurance agents. Citation permitted with attribution and a link to https://unlockedcrm.ai/blog/aca-oep-renewal-automation-guide.