If you sell ACA, this is the week where speed matters.

You don’t need a long explanation.
You need one clear message a client can understand in 10 seconds.

This post gives you:

• The difference between Dec 15 and Jan 15
• What “Feb 1 coverage” really means (and why waiting hurts)
• A copy/paste text message you can send to 10 leads in 5 minutes

Deadline #1: December 15

If they enrolled by Dec 15, 2025, their coverage starts:

• Jan 1, 2026

Simple: enroll by mid-December, start Jan 1.

Deadline #2: January 15

If they enroll Dec 16, 2025 through Jan 15, 2026, their coverage starts:

• Feb 1, 2026

Simple: enroll after Dec 15, start Feb 1.

What does that mean in real life?

It means if a client missed Dec 15, they still have a shot. But they may have a coverage gap in January if they don’t have another plan in place.

Most clients hear “Feb 1” and think it’s fine.

It isn’t fine if they have:

• No current coverage
• Prescriptions
• A kid who gets sick at the wrong time
• A routine appointment in January
• A hospital/urgent care risk

In plain terms:

If they don’t enroll by Jan 15, they usually can’t enroll at all (unless they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period).

And if they enroll late in the window, they may spend all of January:

• uninsured, or
• paying cash for care, or
• praying nothing happens

This is the urgency hook that doesn’t sound like hype:

“This isn’t about paperwork. This is about not being exposed for another month.”

Use this line: “Here’s the deadline in plain English: if you enroll by January 15, your coverage starts February 1. If you wait past January 15, you may be locked out until you have a qualifying event.”

Then ask: “Do you want to get this handled today so you’re not exposed?”

These are intentionally short.
They are built to get a reply.

Text #1 (default — most people)
Hi [Name] — quick ACA reminder: Open Enrollment ends Jan 15. If we enroll you by then, your coverage can start Feb 1. Want me to send plan options today?

Text #2 (stronger urgency — uninsured)
Hi [Name] — Open Enrollment ends Jan 15. If you miss it, you may be locked out. If you want Feb 1 coverage, we should submit this week. Can you text me your DOB + ZIP?

Text #3 (family / kids)
Hi [Name] — ACA Open Enrollment ends Jan 15. If you want Feb 1 coverage for you/family, we need to enroll by then. Want me to call you today or tomorrow?

Text #4 (appointment/prescriptions angle)
Hi [Name] — reminder: ACA Open Enrollment ends Jan 15. If you need coverage for Feb 1 (appointments/prescriptions), we should enroll this week. Want options?

Text #5 (last-chance nudge — send Jan 13–15)
Hi [Name] — last call: ACA Open Enrollment ends Jan 15. If you want Feb 1 coverage, we have to submit before then. Can you reply YES and I’ll text the next step?

If you want this to be high-utility, do it like this:

1. Open your leads list
2. Pick 10 people who showed interest but didn’t finish
3. Send Text #1 to all 10
4. Anyone who replies “yes” gets this follow-up:

Perfect — send me your DOB + ZIP, and tell me if it’s just you or you + family. I’ll send options today.

That’s it.

This is not “content.” This is a tool.

You can:

• read it on your phone
• copy the text
• send it immediately
• create activity and replies in minutes

Most agents lose ACA business because they wait to “circle back.”

Urgency windows are when you win.

Do this right now:

• Pick 10 leads
• Send Text #1
• Reply fast to anyone who responds

Momentum beats perfection.