The Registration Moratorium: Only 2026 Agents Sell 2027

CMS paused new agent and broker registration for Plan Year 2027 through February 1, 2027. Only agents with an active 2026 Exchange agreement can sell for 2027.

Why CMS Did It

CMS found that brokers who first registered for 2026 were overrepresented in high-risk enrollments — roughly 2.8x more likely to submit applications with unresolved income issues, 2.7x more likely to lack Social Security numbers, and 2.6x more likely to have unresolved citizenship or immigration verification. The agency paired the freeze with cancellations: approximately 315,000 unauthorized enrollments (about 760,000 people) were terminated, with APTC recoupment efforts behind them.

What It Means If You’re Established

• Your 2026 agreement is your ticket — protect it: clean files, verified data, no gray tactics.
• Expect tighter monitoring, more verification requests, and faster terminations (200+ already issued, 569 notices of intent this summer).
• Market share will move to agents who answer, verify, and document — be that agent.

If You’re New

Use the pause to get licensed, appointed, and trained so you’re ready when registration reopens. Do not sell through anyone else’s access — that’s how agreements die.