What First Looks are
Carrier First Looks are previews of a carrier's proposed Medicare Advantage plans for the upcoming plan year — proposed service areas, benefits, premiums, and plan changes — released to licensed agents before the Annual Enrollment Period. Carriers release them to help you decide which carriers to contract and certify with before AEP begins, so you're ready to sell where the strongest plans will be.
Where to find First Looks
First Looks are published by each carrier, typically on the carrier's agent/broker portal. Note that some carriers require you to be contracted with them (and in some cases certified) before you can view their First Look.
Messer collects all currently released First Looks in one place in the MFG Agent Center:
1. Go to [mfgagentcenter.com/login](https://mfgagentcenter.com/login) and log in with your assigned username and password.
2. Click Medicare at the top of the page.
3. Choose Medicare First Looks by Carrier.
All currently released First Looks are placed there. If you have trouble logging in to the Agent Center, contact Producer Support.
When First Looks come out
There is no single release date — each carrier releases on its own schedule, typically from late summer into early fall as CMS finishes reviewing proposed plans. The Agent Center page is updated as carriers release, so check it for the current list. If a carrier you work with isn't listed yet, check back — its First Look simply hasn't been released.
Compliance reminders
First Look information is confidential, agent-only, pre-release material. Do not share or discuss First Look plan details with clients or prospects before October 1 — marketing of next-year plans cannot begin before that date.
First Look details are proposals until CMS approval is final. Premiums, copays, benefits, and service areas can change between the First Look and the final approved plans. Plans are final for marketing beginning October 1; enrolled clients receive their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) by September 30.
Service areas and county footprints change from year to year — never assume a plan's footprint carries over.
When reviewing First Looks, watch for changes in premiums, new or removed benefits, maximum out-of-pocket limits, and prior authorization rules.
A client's ANOC describes changes to their current plan; it is not the same as First Look projections, and the two can differ until plans are final.