Certified application counselors (CACs) are trained and certified to help people with MNsure questions. They do this as part of their jobs with organizations such as:
Organizations that serve as certified application counselors agree to:
CACs are not listed on the MNsure Assister Directory and are not obligated to help any consumer that contacts them for assistance.
The specific duties and responsibilities of a certified application counselor agency are outlined in the agreement attachments:
CAC agencies must follow all related statutory provisions and Office of Grants Management (OGM) policies that apply to the contract. Many relevant statutory provisions are found in Minn. Stat. §§ 16B.97-16B.991.
Certified application counselor organizations have a formal contract in place with MNsure and are not insurance agents or brokers.
Under Minn. R., 7700.0030, subp. 3., entities eligible to contract to provide services include 501(c)(3) community-based organizations, for-profit businesses, government agencies, and any other entity recognized by the Office of the Secretary of State. MNsure does not contract with individuals. Individuals must be on the roster of a contracted organization to begin the certification process.
To request to contract, organizations must first submit an application. Step-by-step instructions for submitting an application are available here.
MNsure is accepting applications on a rolling basis for the contract period beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2028. Applications are typically reviewed within 30 days of submission. If the application is approved, a contract will be sent for electronic signature via DocuSign for review and signature.
Submit questions to navigators@mnsure.org. Please carefully review all steps in the instructions before contacting MNsure for assistance.
Before actively assisting consumers through the MNsure marketplace, each staff member who will deliver direct consumer assistance must be certified by MNsure.
After a contract is executed with the organization, the organization's primary contact will receive information on how to add staff to their roster for certification through the Agency Management Program (AMP).
To be certified, staff must:
Training is available online, so courses can be taken when convenient. Training will:
Certification is confirmed once training has been completed, knowledge assessments have been passed, and a background check has cleared. Once an individual is certified, they will receive a unique assister ID number to use when assisting consumers.
Certified application counselors do not receive compensation for successful enrollments.
The Assister Resource Center (ARC) provides ongoing support and information to certified application counselors. During the contracting process, questions can be submitted to navigators@mnsure.org.
