How to Check for Your First Looks

The moment when carrier First Looks become available is an incredibly exciting time for insurance agents! It can put a spring in your step and help you get in the mood for the upcoming Medicare Annual Enrollment Period!

To get what you need on time, you can find Medicare Advantage 2026 First Looks from our carrier partners via the Ritter Platform.

What Are Medicare Advantage First Looks?

Medicare Advantage (MA) First Looks are just that — a first look at carriers’ MA plans for the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period. This year marks the Medicare Advantage 2026 First Look. These resources are vital to getting prepared to sell during the busy season. First Looks can include:

  • MA plan expansion areas
  • New supplemental benefits
  • Expanded plan benefits
  • Carrier sales incentive & new processes
  • Carrier news such as acquisitions & rebrands

First Looks hold confidential information and generally have been submitted to, but not approved by, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) at the time of release. It’s important that you do not share any First Look details with consumers before October 1, 2025.

Where Can You Find First Looks?

We’ve made it simple for you to access First Looks as soon as they’re available via the Ritter Platform. Remember, you must register with Ritter and log in to RitterIM.com to use the Platform.

By offering First Looks availability on the Platform, we have First Looks on demand, whenever you want access.

How Can You Access First Looks?

We’ve created a Carrier First Looks tile on the Ritter Platform, right on the front page. When a First Look becomes available from any one of our carriers, you’ll see it in a list on the Platform’s overview page — the agent dashboard.*

first-look-panel.jpg

We’ll send you an email when the carrier’s 2026 Medicare First Look is available on the Platform.

*Some carriers may require you to be contracted to view the First Look.

What’s the Value of a First Look?

First Looks allow you to get a feel for potential expansion areas or plan enhancements for the upcoming year. They help you determine before AEP what plans are most competitive in your area so you can complete contracting and certifications. That way, you’ll be ready to sell them again in 2026. You can also consider if your clients would benefit from a plan change, such as if they have anew qualifying event.

First Look Dissemination Notice

Please remember, any dissemination of 2026 Annual Enrollment Period plan benefits prior to October 1, 2025, is strictly prohibited. Additionally, all plan details are subject to CMS approval.

Check out this step-by-step tutorial to see how you can access your First Looks on the Platform.


● ● ●

We wish you the best as you eagerly prepare for the upcoming selling season. The team at Ritter Insurance Marketing is always available for agent support!

Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Share Post

Start Selling Under-65 Today!
Ritter Promotion

Related Posts


Like being the first to know? So do we. Join the thousands of independent agents getting the first word from Ritter.

Register with Ritter!