Federally facilitated marketplace for health insurance coverage

The Health Insurance Marketplace is a resource where individuals, families, and small businesses can:

  • Compare health insurance plans for coverage and affordability.
  • Get answers to questions about your health care insurance.
  • Find out if you are eligible for tax credits for private insurance or health programs like Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
  • Enroll in a health insurance plan that meets your needs.

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)
Content last reviewed August 4, 2017

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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

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Washington Offices and Barbara Jordan Conference Center: 1330 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 | Phone 202-347-5270

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Filling the need for trusted information on national health issues, the Kaiser Family Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California.

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 (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

  • 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-9949-F:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Standards for 2015 and Beyond
  • CMS-9937-F: Final HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017
  • CMS-9930-F: Final HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2019
  • CMS-9926-F: Final HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2020
  • CMS 9914-F: Final HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2022 (Part I)
  • CMS 9914-F: Final HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2022 (Part 2)
  • CMS-9906-F: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Updating Payment Parameters, Section 1332 Waiver Implementing Regulations, and Improving Health Insurance Markets for 2022 and Beyond Final Rule 
  • CMS Enrollment Assister Bulletin: 2022-01 - Guidance Regarding Training, Certification, and Recertification for Navigators and Certified Application Counselors in the Federally-facilitated Exchanges (PDF)

Navigators

Each 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

  • 2021 Navigator Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Frequently Asked Questions for Applicants (PDF)
  • 2021 Overview of Applying for a Federal Cooperative Agreement (PDF)
  • Example of 2020 Navigator Privacy and Security Terms and Conditions  (PDF)

Archived Resources for Navigator Grantees

  • 2021-2022 Navigator Supplemental Funding Amounts (December 2021) (PDF)
  • Upper Limits for Available 2021 Navigator Supplemental Funding (PDF)
  • 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)
  • 2020 Navigator Grant Recipients (PDF)
  • 2021 Navigator Grant Recipients (PDF)
  • 2022 Navigator Grant Recipients  (PDF)

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

  • 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

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 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.

Additional Resources for Agents and Brokers

  • CMS Resources for Agents and Brokers

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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.