The Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight
In-Person Assistance in the Health Insurance Marketplaces
Background
Starting October 1, 2013, consumers in all states were able to access affordable health insurance options through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Some states set up a State-based Marketplace and the remaining states opted for the Federally-facilitated Marketplace.
No matter what state they live in, consumers can receive help as they apply for and choose new insurance through the Marketplace.
Open Enrollment for the 2020 plan year begins November 1, 2019 and individuals will again be able to provide assistance to consumers in a number of different ways: by becoming Navigators or certified application counselors. In addition, agents and brokers will still be able to help consumers enroll in health insurance through the Marketplace.
Key Resources
- CMS-9955-F: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Exchange Functions: Standards for Navigators and Non-Navigator Assistance Personnel; Consumer Assistance Tools and Programs of an Exchange and Certified Application Counselors - Opens in a new window
- CMS-9949-P: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Exchange and Insurance Market Standards for 2015 and Beyond
- CMS Enrollment Assister Bulletin: 2019-01 - Guidance Regarding Training, Certification, and Recertification for Navigators and Certified Application Counselors in the Federally-facilitated Exchanges (PDF)
Navigators
Navigators play a vital role in helping consumers prepare applications to establish eligibility and enroll in coverage through the Marketplaces and potentially qualify for an insurance affordability programs. They also provide outreach and education to raise awareness about the Marketplace, and refer consumers to health insurance ombudsman and consumer assistance programs when necessary. Navigators are funded through federal grant funds and must complete comprehensive federal Navigator training, criminal background checks, and state training and registration (when applicable), prior to assisting consumers.
On August 30, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded $10 million in Navigator grant awards to 34 organizations who will serve as Navigators in Federally-facilitated Marketplace states. These awards will support the work of organizations that offer assistance to consumers navigating, shopping for, and enrolling in health insurance coverage for 2019.
A list of 2019 Navigator grant recipients can be found here: 2019 Navigator Grant Recipients (PDF). The 2019 Navigator awards are for the first 12-month budget period of a 24-month period of performance, which runs through August 29, 2021. Entities and individuals cannot serve as Navigators in the Federally-facilitated Marketplaces without receiving federal grant funding from CMS to perform Navigator duties.
Additional Resources for Navigator Grantees
- 2019 Navigator Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Frequently Asked Questions for Applicants (PDF)
- 2019 Overview of Applying for a Federal Cooperative Agreement (PDF)
- Example of 2018 Navigator Notice of Award Terms and Conditions Privacy and Security Excerpts (PDF)
Navigator Grant Recipients
- 2013 Navigator Grant Recipients (PDF)
- 2014 Navigator Grant Recipients (PDF)
- 2015 Navigator Grant Recipients (PDF)
- 2016 Navigator Grant Recipients (PDF)
- 2017 Navigator Grant Recipients (PDF)
- 2018 Navigator Grant Recipients (PDF)
- 2019 Navigator Grant Recipients (PDF)
Certified Application Counselors (CACs)
The Federally-facilitated Marketplace designates organizations to certify application counselors who perform many of the same functions as Navigators and non-Navigator assistance personnel—including educating consumers and helping them complete an application for coverage. An online application for organizations who want to become Marketplace-designated organizations that can certify application counselors can be found at the link below. These groups might include community health centers or other health care providers, hospitals, or social service agencies.
Additional Resources for CACs
- Guidance on Certified Application Counselor Program for the Federally Facilitated Marketplace including State Partnership Marketplaces (PDF)
- Apply to be a Certified Application Counselor (CAC) Organization
- Model Certified Application Counselor (CAC) Recertification Request Form for Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces (PDF)
Enrollment Assistance Program (EAP)
The Enrollment Assistance Program contracts established temporary storefronts and labor forces in CMS identified population centers to help enroll consumers during the beginning years of the Health Insurance Exchanges. The contracts were intended to supplement the year round in-person enrollment support services of Navigators, Certified Application Counselors, and local insurance agents and brokers. CMS awarded base plus four option year contracts to Cognosante and CSRA on August 29, 2013. CSRA’s final exercised option year contract was for $12,780,966 and Cognosante’s was $9,632,563. The contract option year expired on August 29, 2017, for Cognosante’s contract and September 30, 2017 for CSRA’s contract.
The Enrollment Assistance Program engaged with more than 19,300 consumers and assisted 14,500 enrollments during the 2017 Open Enrollment period. In addition, they helped with approximately 11,000 account creations and 2,500 Medicaid referrals.
Agents and Brokers
Agents and brokers also play a key role in the Health Insurance Marketplace. To the extent permitted by states, agents and brokers play an important role in educating consumers about Marketplaces and insurance affordability programs, and helping consumers receive eligibility determinations, apply for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, compare plans, and enroll in coverage. In particular, agents and brokers play a critical role in helping qualified employers and employees enroll in coverage through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). Consumers may want to obtain professional advice from agents and brokers when applying for and selecting a qualified health plan. Below is a link to the CMS webpage for agents and brokers choosing to participate in Federally-facilitated Marketplaces.