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Certified Application Counselors

Role of a Certified Application Counselor (CAC)

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:

  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Associations
  • Other groups

Organizations that serve as certified application counselors agree to:

  • Provide individuals and families with free assistance to help them achieve successful enrollments into health coverage through the MNsure marketplace
  • Comply with MNsure's data privacy and security standards and conflict of interest disclosure requirements

CACs are not insurance agents or brokers. They help people work through the process of applying and enrolling in the context of their daily job duties. They 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: 

MNsure does not set up CAC agreements with individuals. Individuals must be on the roster of an organization with an agreement to become certified as a CAC.

Becoming a Partner

Certified application counselor organizations have a formal agreement in place with MNsure. To become a partner, organizations must first submit an application.

MNsure is accepting applications on a rolling basis for a contract period beginning no earlier than July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2025.

How to submit an application online through the Agency Management Program (AMP).

Organizations will be notified of the outcome of their application. If approved, an agreement 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.

Training and Certification

Before actively assisting consumers through the MNsure marketplace, each staff member who will deliver direct consumer assistance at your organization must be certified by MNsure.

After an agreement 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:

  • Pass a background check
  • Complete training and pass knowledge assessments

Training is available online, so courses can be taken when convenient. Training will:

  • Include web-based knowledge assessments
  • Most likely take less than 20 hours to complete

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.

Compensation

Certified application counselors do not receive compensation for successful enrollments.

Support

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.

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