Most agents assume there's nothing to sell outside of OEP. That's a costly misconception. The ACA marketplace offers multiple Special Enrollment Periods that allow eligible clients to enroll year-round.

Why this matters:

• Clients experience life events all year (marriage, job loss, new baby, etc.).
• Fewer agents are marketing during the off-season, meaning less competition.
• Ancillary products can be sold at any time, providing steady income and stronger client retention.

1. Leverage Special Enrollment Period (SEP) Triggers
   SEPs allow individuals to enroll in ACA coverage outside of OEP if they experience a qualifying life event. Common SEP triggers include:

• Loss of employer coverage
• Marriage or divorce
• Birth or adoption
• Moving to a new service area
• Change in household income

Resource: Bookmark Healthcare.gov's SEP page to stay updated on qualifying events.

Pro Tip: Partner with HR managers, tax preparers, and community organizations to identify individuals who may qualify for a SEP.

2. Tap Into Your Existing Book of Business
   Your current clients are your best off-season prospects:

• Ask about life changes during client check-ins.
• Cross-sell ancillary products like dental, vision, or hospital indemnity plans.
• Offer ACA plans to spouses, adult children, or referrals.

3. Use Community Outreach
   Host educational workshops at libraries, senior centers, or online webinars. Many consumers are unaware they qualify for ACA subsidies or low-cost coverage.

Ancillary products not only generate extra revenue; they also strengthen client relationships. When clients have multiple policies with you, they're less likely to shop around.

Top ancillary products to consider:

• Dental and vision plans: Easy add-ons that fill gaps in ACA coverage.
• Accident and critical illness plans: Provide cash benefits for unexpected health events.
• Short-term health plans: Bridge coverage gaps for clients who miss SEP windows.
• Hospital indemnity plans: Help offset out-of-pocket expenses in ACA plans.

Pro Tip: Bundle ancillary products into ACA conversations. For example: "This plan has a high deductible, but we can pair it with a low-cost hospital indemnity policy so you're covered if you're admitted."

1. Run Targeted Digital Ads
   Use Facebook and Google ads to target consumers by age, location, and life events (e.g., "just married" or "recently moved").
2. Optimize Your Website for Off-Season Leads
   Include a simple "Do you qualify for ACA coverage now?" quiz or lead form. Make it clear you can help clients outside OEP.
3. Create Educational Content
   Blog posts, videos, and social media posts about SEPs position you as the go-to resource.

Example topics:

• "5 Life Changes That Qualify You for ACA Coverage"
• "How to Find Affordable Health Insurance After Losing Your Job

4. Leverage Email Marketing
Send a quarterly "life update" email to your clients asking about changes in their household or job situation.

5. Partner with Referral Sources
Build relationships with real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and small business owners who can refer prospects who recently moved or lost employer coverage.

At IAD, we provide the tools and support you need to stay busy year-round:

• ACA certification training and carrier contracting
• Pre-built marketing campaigns to promote ACA and ancillary plans
• Lead generation programs designed for SEP and ancillary products
• Compliance support so you can confidently market off-season

Contact us here to get connected with ACA carriers and our plug-and-play marketing kits.

Don't wait for OEP to build your business. By focusing on ACA Special Enrollment Periods and cross-selling ancillary products, you can generate consistent income and build stronger client relationships.

Next Steps:

1. Review your current client list for SEP triggers and ancillary needs.
2. Launch at least one off-season marketing campaign this month.

We've created a free guide with step-by-step instructions and sample marketing messages you can use now.

Download the Off-Season ACA Sales Guide here.

This resource includes SEP cheat sheets, prospecting scripts, and a marketing calendar template.