The Health Insurance Marketplace is a resource where individuals, families, and small businesses can: The Marketplace is available online at: Healthcare.gov. You can also contact the Health Insurance Marketplace by telephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at: 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) Content created by Digital Communications Division (DCD) ___________________________________________________________ The Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM), operated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in accordance with federal standards, is an online marketplace where individuals are able to purchase health insurance. Using the FFM, low and moderate-income people are able to obtain payment assistance to help them buy health insurance: . Some people may also be eligible for other health insurance subsidies, such as cost-sharing reductions (CSR) and premium tax credits. Substantial subsidies are available through the FFM for those at 100% - 400% of the FPL. Insurance premiums are on a sliding scale based on income. . Unless the employer coverage is unaffordable or insufficient, people with access to employer coverage cannot receive a subsidy through the FFM. . People can also use the FFM to apply for Medicaid. Visit www.healthcare.gov for more information about the FFM. References: 42 CFR 431.10-42 CFR 431.11 The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Headquarters: 185 Berry St., Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Phone 650-854-9400 www.kff.org | Email Alerts: kff.org/email | facebook.com/KaiserFamilyFoundation | twitter.com/kff Filling the need for trusted information on national health issues, the Kaiser Family Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California. BackgroundStarting 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 (FFM). No matter what state they live in, consumers can receive help as they apply for and enroll in coverage through the Marketplace. Open Enrollment for the 2023 plan year begins November 1, 2022 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
NavigatorsEach year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) makes grant awards to organizations who serve as Navigators in FFM states. 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 operate year-round—increasing awareness among the remaining uninsured about the coverage options available to them, helping consumers find affordable coverage that meets their needs, and assisting consumers beyond the enrollment process to ensure they're equipped with the tools and resources needed to utilize and maintain their health coverage all year. Navigators must complete comprehensive federal Navigator training, criminal background checks, and state training and registration (when applicable), prior to assisting consumers. On August 26, 2022, CMS awarded $98.9 million in Navigator grant awards to 59 organizations to continue serving as Navigators in the 30 states with a FFM. These awards support the work of organizations that offer assistance to consumers navigating, shopping for, and enrolling in health insurance coverage for plan year 2023. A list of 2022 Navigator grant recipients can be found here: 2022 Navigator Grant Recipients (PDF). The 2022 Navigator awards are for the second 12-month budget period of a 36-month period of performance, which runs August 27, 2021 through August 26, 2024. Entities and individuals cannot serve as Navigators in the FFM without receiving federal grant funding from CMS to perform Navigator duties. Additional Resources for Navigator Applicants
Archived Resources for Navigator Grantees
Navigator Grant Recipients
Certified Application Counselors (CACs)Certified application counselor designated organizations (CDOs) are a vital component of the assister community. In the Federally-facilitated Marketplaces (FFMs), CDOs oversee certified application counselors (CACs) who are trained and able to help consumers seeking health insurance coverage options through an FFM. Organizations that wish to become CDOs designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to serve in an FFM must submit an online application and enter into an agreement with CMS. These groups might include community health centers or other health care providers, hospitals, or social service agencies. Additional Resources for CACs
Enrollment Assistance Program (EAP)The EAP was a contracted assistance model leveraged to help enroll consumers in the inaugural days of the Marketplaces. The original EAP contracts established temporary storefronts and labor forces intended to supplement the year-round enrollment support provided by Navigators and CACs in FFM population centers. The Marketplace intends to revive the EAP, this time deploying "mobile assisters" across population centers identified by HHS. Agents and BrokersAgents 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. Additional Resources for Agents and Brokers
Note: People using assistive technology may not be able to fully access information in these files. For assistance, please e-mail . What is the federally facilitated marketplace for health insurance coverage?The Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM), operated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in accordance with federal standards, is an online marketplace where individuals are able to purchase health insurance.
What is the federally facilitated individual marketplace?Federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM): In a Federally-facilitated Marketplace, HHS performs all Marketplace functions. Consumers in FFM states apply for and enroll in coverage through Healthcare.gov.
Which states use federally facilitated marketplace?Federally Facilitated Marketplaces. Alabama.. Alaska.. Arizona.. Florida.. Georgia.. Indiana.. Kansas.. Louisiana.. What are federally facilitated exchanges?These are Medicaid-managed care plans that offer coverage only to people who move between Medicaid and the exchange. In addition, states can offer a premium assistance option in which Medicaid or CHIP funds are used to pay for a qualified plan in the exchange.
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