The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) designates CDOs in the Federally-facilitated Marketplaces (FFMs) to certify their staff members or volunteers to act as certified application counselors (CACs) if certain requirements are met. A CDO is responsible for uploading and maintaining a CAC Roster , maintaining its CDO record with CMS, and renewing its CDO status using the CDO Organizational Maintenance Web Form within a time frame determined and communicated by CMS, typically every 2 years.
Additional resources regarding the CAC Roster , CDO data maintenance , and CDO renewals can be found below.
CMS provides one place for CDOs in the FFMs to collect and maintain CAC information, as well as to monitor CAC training completions.
All active CDOs in FFMs can keep a record of their individual CAC IDs and training completion status using the CAC Roster on the CDO Organizational Maintenance Web Form . This online roster allows CDOs in FFMs to track CACs in a consistent manner throughout their time with the organization, while ensuring they remain compliant with federal standards.
For plan year 2021 and beyond, maintaining a roster of CACs using the CDO Organizational Maintenance Web Form will be necessary for CACs to access annual certification training on the Marketplace Learning Management System (MLMS).
It is critical that CMS has up-to-date information for all active CDOs in the FFMs. Therefore, CDOs in the FFMs must maintain their records with CMS during the certification period, which is determined by CMS, and typically lasts 2 years.
Changes that require an update to a CDO’s records include updates to the organization’s name, address, list of contacts, service locations, enrollment assistance type (open enrollment only or year-round), specialty areas, or list of CACs.
All three unique contacts listed on the CDO’s record can update the organization’s information by accessing the CDO Organizational Maintenance web form.
CDOs in the FFMs must renew their certification within a time frame determined by CMS, typically 2 years from the effective date of acceptance into the CDO Program, to remain active and continue to provide enrollment assistance services. A CDO MUST renew before its certification expires (i.e., the expiration date).
If the CDO does not renew its CDO certification before its expiration date, the CDO will become inactive. The CDO will need to re-apply since the CDO ID will no longer be valid. Per the CMS-CDO agreement, the CDO must also inform its CACs to stop providing enrollment assistance as CACs.
All three unique contacts listed on a CDO’s record can renew its CDO status by accessing the CDO Organizational Maintenance web form, reviewing its CDO record, and uploading a newly dated and signed CMS-CDO agreement.
There are how-to guides for renewing your CDO status.
If you have any questions, email us at CACQuestions@cms.hhs.gov.