Cherise Fowler, Outreach and Enrollment Coordinator Alaska Primary Care Association

 If your organization is a community health center or other health care provider, hospital, or local government or non-profit organization with experience providing social services to your community and you’d like to help by training your staff or volunteers to assist people applying for coverage through the Marketplace, you can apply to be a Certified application counselor (CAC) organizationCertified application counselor (CAC) organization

Now that you understand how to navigate the system, let’s discuss the training and certification requirements.  As part of the standards for certification, you must: Register with the Marketplace Complete the training courses Pass an examination at the end of each course Disclose any conflicts of interest (if applicable) Comply with the Marketplace’s privacy and security standards. Enter into an agreement with the Marketplace

 Your certification will be valid for 12 months and must be renewed at least on an annual basis in order for you to continue performing your duties. There will be additional guidance in the future on recommended continuing education and recertification requirements. This training program focuses on two of the above requirements: completing the training courses and passing the examination at the end of each course.

 1. Identify the designee number assigned to your organization by CMS;  a. The designee number is included in the body of the you received from CMS. It is an eight- character number assigned specifically to your organization (e.g., NYCACA00).  2. As a designated organization, you are tasked with assigning your staff and volunteers with a unique CAC identification number.

 3. How to create unique CAC identification numbers relevant to the staff/volunteers of your organization?  a. Take your designee number (8 characters), e.g., NYCACA00;  b. Add five characters, e.g., NYCACA ;  i. Assign that number to staff/volunteer in ascending order (13 characters in total).  1. NYCACA  2. NYCACA  3. NYCACA  ii. Keep track of the assigned numbers.  4. What your organization should avoid:  a. Do not recycle unique CAC identification number.  i. When a staff or volunteer stops serving as a CAC or leaves the organization, the number should not be reassigned or recycled.  b. Be very clear as to whether one of the five characters (added to the root of the assignee number) is the number zero or the letter “O.”

 5. How is this unique CAC identification number useful to my staff/volunteer?  a. The thirteen (13) character CAC identification number assigned by the organization to the individual (staff/volunteer), will be required for the training registration (see “Instructions for potential certified application counselors to access training through the Medicare Learning Network”);  b. Once the training is completed successfully by the staff/volunteer, the designated organization will use that same unique CAC identification number (assigned to that one staff/volunteer) for the certificate the organization will issue to the individual CAC;  c. The CAC will display the certificate as they assist consumers; and  d. The CAC will enter their unique CAC identification number in the applications of consumers they assist.

 See attached sample:  Alaska Primary Care Association  TEMPLATE   Community Outreach/Enrollment (O/E) Worker  AKA as Certified Application Counselor  Job Summary: This position identifies, educates, supports and acts as an advocate for individuals and families by assisting them with the screening and enrollment process into the Health Marketplace. Responsible for conducting active outreach and assisting with the completion of applications for health insurances and financial assistance programs. In-reach will be conducted by contacting all uninsured patients seen in the last 24 months, coordinating an eligibility screening with the patient and enrolling those who qualify. When new uninsured patients present in our system, front desk staff will contact O/E staff to conduct eligibility screening. Community-wide outreach and enrollment will occur in areas where low income populations work, live and shop.

1a. Number of health center O/E assistance workers that have successfully completed all required federal and/or state training. 1b. Number of individuals assisted by a trained health center O/E assistance worker. 1c. Number of individuals who receive an eligibility determination for the Marketplace, Medicaid, or CHIP with the assistance of a trained health center O/E assistance worker. 1d. Number of individuals who enroll (e.g., select a qualified health plan or Medicaid/CHIP) with the assistance of a trained health center O/E assistance worker. CHC Specific:

[1] [1] Health center outreach and enrollment assistance workers are any health center staff, contractors, or volunteer assistance personnel who are trained to facilitate enrollment of individuals into the Marketplace, Medicaid and/or CHIP. [2] [2] This should include in-person education about affordable insurance coverage options (one-on-one or small group) and any other assistance provided to facilitate enrollment, e.g., setting up an account, filing affordability assistance information, receiving an eligibility determination, and/or selecting a qualified health plan or Medicaid/CHIP plan. [3] [3] Include all individuals who received an eligibility determination, even if the individual is not determined to be eligible for Medicaid/CHIP or for a subsidy through the Marketplace.

 Get the word out via text, mail, radio!  Please visit:   Available on the website are brochures, fact sheets, public service announcement, and talking points. Print materials to hand out to patients, enrollees, and public at events.

 Marketplace Opens October 1: Get Ready  Now is the time to raise awareness of the Marketplace to maximize the number of Americans who enroll during the first open enrollment period beginning October 1.  Let your patients know they can find health coverage that fits their budget and meets their needs. They may even be eligible for a free plan or financial help.

 Please visit our website Click the Outreach and Enrollment Tab.Information is being updated frequently. Navigators: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium United Way of Alaska: Joan Fisher,

QUESTIONS?