Since the start of the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there’s been a growing demand for professionals with the knowledge and skills to provide assistance to enrollees. ACA certification and training are one of the ways agents can stay up-to date on plan options and proper enrollment practices. This allows agents to help individuals make informed decisions and get access to healthcare.
Learn about our ACA sales contracting
Certifications agents need to offer ACA plans
Agents who want to offer ACA plans through the federal exchange site (healthcare.gov), must complete the FFM (Federally Facilitated Marketplace) certification. Although the ACA plans operate differently than Medicare does, the CMS also oversees ACA training. Agents complete this certification through CMS’ MLMS (Marketplace Learning Management System). One important thing to note; the FFM certification doesn’t cover insurance products sold through any of the state-based marketplaces.
FFM certification does not cover products sold in states that have their own state-based marketplace, The following states have state-based marketplaces that require agents to take their specific certifications:
CA – the state’s marketplace is Covered California
CO – the state’s marketplace is Connect for Health Colorado
CT – the state’s marketplace is Access Health CT
Please note: Access Health CT certification for 2024 for both Brokers and CACs is closing on July 31. Certification for Open Enrollment and for 2025 will start in September (Date TBA). Those who certify before 7/31 will need to certify again in September for 2025.
DC – the state’s marketplace is DC Health Link
ID – the state’s marketplace is Your Health Idaho
KY – the state’s marketplace is Kynect
ME – the state’s marketplace is CoverME
MD – the state’s marketplace is Maryland Health Connection
MA – the state’s marketplace is Health Connector
MN – the state’s marketplace is Mnsure
NV – the state’s marketplace is Nevada Health Link
NJ – the state’s marketplace is Get Covered NJ
NM – the state’s marketplace is beWellnm
NY – the state’s marketplace is New York State of Health
PA – the state’s marketplace is Pennie
RI – the state’s marketplace is HealthSource RI
VT – the state’s marketplace is Vermont Health Connect
VA – the state’s marketplace is Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace
WA – the state’s marketplace is Washington Healthplanfinder
When do agents need to complete certifications
Certifications for states on the Federal Exchange as well as many state-based marketplaces must be completed annually. However, although some state-based training, such as NY, is required every 2 years. When there are changes to the ACA, CMS provides updated training modules.
Find out why you should offer ACA plans through Crowe:
Watch a Youtube video on ACA contracting with Crowe and Associates
Click here to view a demo of our ACA portal for agents and agencies
FFM certification
Agents who need to complete FFM (Federally Facilitated Marketplace) can access CMS’s Enterprise Portal to complete their FFM certs. If you don’t already have an account, you can create one. Once you are in the portal, go to choose “Add Application” and click on the FFM/Request for MLMS Training Access and follow the instructions.
The states that require FFM training: AL, AK, AZ, AR, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI and WY.
New ACA agents vs. returning agents
Agents who are new to the ACA market must take the entire training course while returning agents can take a shortened version of the course.
New agents: click here for the CMS Marketplace training guide for 2024
Returning Agents: click here for CMS’ Marketplace training guide for 2024
The entire FFM certification consists of 10 training modules and four test; this takes a few hours to finish. A score of 70% or higher is required to pass the tests although agents who do not pass them can retake them. The refresher training only takes about an hour and a half to finish. There is no cost to the agent to take either course.
To check that CMS has updated your FFM cert status, use your NPN on the Agent and Broker FFM Registration Completion List (RCL), just enter your NPN to check. Please note, it may take a few days for CMS to update the system.
FFM certification assistance
CMS provides technical assistance for agent who experience issues while completing the FFM course. Call the Marketplace service desk at 1-855-267-1515 for portal password resets and issues as well as registration and training questions. Agents can also contact the help desk via email at: FFMProducer-AssisterHelpDesk@cms.hhs.gov
Offering ACA plans is a great way to grow your business and assist more members of your community.