ACA Marketplace News & Updates for Agents and Brokers
CMS released a new tip sheet that provides agents and brokers of the ACA Marketplace with helpful suggestions on how to work with assisters also working in the ACA Marketplace. Assisters may help individuals and families applying for and enrolling in insurance affordability programs (e.g., public programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP.)
The tip sheet guides agents and brokers through a quick understanding of expectations set forth by CMS.
- Agents and brokers can only help consumers enroll in QHPs if they are registered with the Marketplace for the applicable plan year, including successfully completing the Marketplace Agent and Broker training.
- Agents and brokers are obligated to follow the regulations and rules of conduct set by State Department of Insurance in states where they enroll consumers in coverage.
There are additional tips for agents and brokers working with assisters that include more information to help agents and brokers understand the constraints of Navigators and CACs in the ACA marketplace. The tip sheet also reminds agents and brokers that cannot establish an exclusive referral relationship with Navigators and CACs, or offer consideration of any kind that could be tied to the compensation.
Now is the perfect time to begin your ACA Marketplace training and registration for the 2018 plan year. Upon completion of your training, you’ll be eligible to connect directly with consumers in need of your assistance in the ACA marketplace and help consumers enroll during the SEP (special enrollment period.)
If you complete your registration and training for PY 2018, you’ll also be able to take the shorter registration and training for returning agents and brokers for PY 2019. After finishing registration, please remember to confirm your NPN (National Producer Number) is valid and listed on the Registration Completion List for PY 2018. We recommend waiting for at least one business day after completion before checking the list.
Open Enrollment will begin November 1, 2018, and remain open until December 15th for the 2019 Plan Year. If you have any additional questions or comments, please reach out to our ACA Experts at 800-962-4693.
