Industry News

Virginia's Insurance Marketplace

Open Enrollment is almost upon us. Your clients will be using the new state-based exchange, Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, to shop for Individual & Family Plans during Open Enrollment this year, regardless of carrier.

Georgia Moving to State-Based Exchange for 2024 Open Enrollment

Georgia Access Launching for 2024 Open Enrollment

For Open Enrollment (OP) 2024, Georgia will be launching its State-based Exchange, Georgia Access, that will replace Healthcare.gov. To ensure a smooth transition, Georgia is maintaining the same requirements for agents as Healthcare.gov. The only change is that agents will be required to complete Georgia Access Agent Certification Training. This certification training was developed by the state in partnership with Georgia agents to ensure that Georgia Access Agents are adequately prepared to work with consumers. 

All agents who would like to enroll consumers through Georgia Access must meet the requirements listed below. This includes new agents as well as agents who previously enrolled consumers through Healthcare.gov, web brokers, and/or insurance company platforms. 

Requirements:

  1. Maintain active Accident and Sickness Licensure in GA
    • Agents must update their individual email address in Sircon by September 18th. Licensing coordinators or departments that represent agents must update the agent's account in Sircon with an individual, agent specific email address.
    • Each agent must have a unique, non-shared email address listed in Sircon in order to have a Georgia Access Portal Profile automatically created. 
    • Visit https://oci.georgia.gov/agents-agency-licensing for information on licensing requirements and the application process. 
    • Visit www.Sircon.com/Georgia to apply, check the status of their license or application, and update their contact information. 
  2. Complete the GA Access Certification Training and Final Assessment by Sept 18
    • Click here to begin the course on the State's certification platform. 
    • You must have an active agent license prior to taking the certification training. 
    • Download this guide to learn how to register on the State's certification platform. 
    • Set aside at least 3 hours to complete the course and the assessment. 
    • A minimum score of 80% is required to pass, with a maximum of 3 attempts permitted. 
  3. Activate GA Agent Portal Profile between Oct 20- Nov 1
    • Agents who complete Steps 1 and 2 above by the deadline will have a Georgia Access Agent Portal Profile automatically created. Agents with previous enrollments will have their book of business automatically imported into their new profile. 
    • New agents without any consumer data will also have a profile automatically created even if they do not have a book of business. 
    • Agents will receive an email once their profile has been created asking them to activate their profile, update contact information as needed, and determine if their profile if their profile will be public. Only public profiles will be searchable on the Georgia Access Website for consumers. 
    • Agents who do not complete Steps 1 and 2 by the deadline will not be assigned to their current consumers when consumers are auto re-enrolled before OE 2024.
    • Agents who complete licensure and certification after the September 18, 2023 deadline will be able to enroll consumer after manually requesting a Georgia Access Agent Portal Profile and having it approved by Georgia Access Staff. 
    • Agents are required to have a Georgia Access Agent Portal Profile to enroll consumers. 

Enrollment

Important Notice: Are you a MyMFG user? Stay tuned for more information on how this change will affect your usage of the platform. 

On November 1, 2023, for 2024 coverage, agents will be able to enroll consumers through GA access in one of three ways:

  1. Web broker platform
    • Agents can enroll consumers using an online portal offered by a Georgia Access Web Broker. Georgia Access Web Brokers display all certified health insurance plans on their portals. Many also display certified dental insurance plans. A full list of web brokers will be available on the Georgia Access Website starting September 1, 2023.  
  2. Insurance company platform
    • Agents can enroll consumers directly through an insurance company's online portal. Georgia Access Insurance Companies display only their own certified health and dental insurance plans on their portals. A full list of insurance companies offering direct enrollment will be available on the Georgia Access Website starting September 1, 2023. 
  3. GA Access Portal
    • Agents can enroll consumers using the state-offered Georgia Access Agent Portal, which will be available on the Georgia Access Website starting October 20, 2023. 

Please note: Agents transitioning from Healthcare.gov to Georgia Access can continue using their web broker or insurance company portal of choice for consumer enrollment. Agents may contact with multiple web brokers and/or insurance companies and can also use the Georgia Access Agent Portal for enrollment. 

  • Visit the Georgia Access Website, which will be regularly updated.
  • Email questions about Georgia Access to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Beginning October 16,2023, agents can call the Georgia Access Contact Center for support at 888-312-4237. The contact center will be available Monday- Friday 8am-7pm ET, and Saturdays 9am-12pm ET, excluding holidays. Contact center hours may be extended during OE. 

If you have any questions, call us today at 866-568-9649!

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CMS Enterprise Portal Password Policy Change

Beginning on April 25, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Enterprise Portal will be updating its current password policy. The updates consist of the following changes: 

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