The Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight

Resources for Agents and Brokers in the Health Insurance Marketplaces


Welcome

Welcome to the Agents and Brokers Resources webpage. This page is the primary outlet for agents and brokers to receive information from CMS about working in the Health Insurance Marketplace and the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace. The content on this page is updated regularly.



Background

To the extent permitted by states, licensed agents and brokers may assist consumers in determining their eligibility for insurance affordability programs, including advance payments of the premium tax credit and cost-sharing reductions, and enrolling in qualified health plans (QHPs).

Agents and brokers play a crucial role in educating consumers about the Health Insurance Marketplace, both during annual Open Enrollment and throughout the coverage year. Agents and brokers may also help employers understand their options for participating in the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace and assist them and their employees through the SHOP Marketplace application and enrollment process.

Some states have set up their own State-based individual and small business Marketplaces, while the Federal Government runs the Health Insurance Marketplace and SHOP Marketplaces located on HealthCare.gov in other states. You can find out if your state is running its own Marketplace by visiting HealthCare.gov and selecting your state from the drop down. Agents and brokers can help consumers apply for and choose insurance options in any state in which the agents and brokers are licensed, regardless of whether the Marketplaces are operated by the state or Federal Government.

Agents and brokers who wish to assist consumers in the Health Insurance Marketplace and SHOP Marketplace on Healthcare.gov must first complete registration (see the Plan Year 2017 Registration and Training page).

Latest News

Upcoming Webinars

There will be several upcoming webinars to help prepare agents and brokers with Plan Year 2017 Marketplace Registration and Training on:
•April 13
•May 18

Click here for more information on this webinar and instructions on how to register.

Plan Year 2017 Registration and Training is Now Available

Marketplace registration and training for plan year 2017 is now live. CMS values the hard work of agents and brokers in the Health Insurance Marketplaces. Listen to a message from Marketplace CEO Kevin Counihan here!

CMS offers online training through the Marketplace Learning Management System (MLMS), as well as through the following CMS-approved vendors:
• America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)
• National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU).

Access both the MLMS and CMS-approved vendor training via the CMS Enterprise Portal.

For more information on plan year 2017 registration and training, visit the Plan Year 2017 Registration and Training page.

Agent and Broker Newsletter

News for Agents and Brokers is an electronic source of information for agents and brokers assisting consumers in the Marketplaces on HealthCare.gov. Check out the latest edition here.