ENHANCED APPLICATION AND RENEWAL PROCESS
Beginning in 2013, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) who participate in the CAC programs of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) executed a contract with CMS. Under this agreement,
FQHCs became Certified Designated Organizations (CDOs) and were authorized
to hire and train staff as Certified Application Counselors. CACs are expected to provide consumers with unbiased enrollment assistance in Health Insurance Marketplace plans, Medicaid and/or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Funding for the programs was initially provided through a grant process. After 2 years, that funding was integrated into the annual allocation of each FQHC.
There has been a lot of turnover in these programs - - both of staff and participating organizations. As a result, CMS will launch an annual enhanced application and renewal process where all CDOs will be required to reapply to continue in the CAC program. Following are some highlights:
- the application process is currently suspended for new participants
- the enhanced application and renewal process will occur between now and Summer 2018
- existing CDOs will receive an e-mail invitation to reapply to participate in the CAC program
- CDOs will need to reapply to participate in the CAC program every two (2) years
- CACs still need to satisfactorily complete annual training
As part of this new process, the Health Insurance Marketplace application will be updated along with features that allow CDOs to update their information.
Click here for a sample of the CMS announcement you should receive.
Click here if you have questions regarding the CAC program.
