View in a browser window I View in Mobile Format Edge Alert: Breaking News for Consumer Business   September 16, 2015

News for 2016: Launch of CMS Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) Registration and Independence Sales Requirements Open enrollment for 2016 is approaching, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) announced the launch of the Federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM or "Marketplace") Agent and Broker Registration and Training on September 15, 2015. Independence will continue the use of its online onboarding tool, Sales Sentinel, to validate eligibility to sell on the Marketplace, and to provide an online platform for health insurance license validation and appointment processing. For 2016, CMS announced that FFM registration and training will be offered through their new Marketplace Learning Management System (MLMS), replacing the Medicare Learning Network (MLN), or through CMS-approved vendors. The vendor option includes potential CEU credits. For information on these and additional enhancements, please refer to the CMS webpage, Resources for Agents and Brokers in the Health Insurance Marketplaces. The CMS monthly newsletter, News for Agents and Brokers – August 2015 Edition, provides a summary of these and other changes, and requirements for participation in the Health Insurance Marketplace are described in the presentation, FFM Agent and Broker Plan Year 2016 Registration and Training Slides. FFM certification required for Individual and SHOP products both on and off the Marketplace New for 2016, agents will no longer need to upload a certificate into Sales Sentinel to provide proof of FFM certification. An agent is expected to have completed all CMS training requirements, and completion will be verified as a step in the 2016 Sentinel program. Verification will be completed using your National Producer Number (NPN). Entering an inaccurate NPN could result in delay of your eligibility to sell or in denial of compensation or credit for a sale. Independence will require successful verification of FFM training to sell, and to be eligible for commission on, Individual and SHOP products for sales both on and off the Marketplace (i.e., On and Off Exchange). On and Off Exchange Requirements for 2016: Agents must complete the CMS FFM requirements for 2016 to obtain a certification of completion. Training requirements are for participation in the Individual Marketplace, SHOP Marketplace, or for both Individual and SHOP Marketplaces. Agents who completed FFM registration and certification training for prior plan years must complete annual CMS requirements to renew their registration for 2016. The renewal must be completed prior to the expiration of the current certification (date to be announced) in order to avoid a lapse in certification status. Agents new to the sale of these products must complete initial FFM registration and certification activities, as outlined by CMS, by the November 1, 2016 open enrollment date. Those who complete the requirements prior to this date may also assist consumers during 2015 special enrollment periods. Agents must complete an IBC Sales Sentinel program to verify their 2016 Marketplace credentials for both On and Off Exchange sales. Using Sales Sentinel, agents and agencies must select one primary agency for 2016 commission distribution for sales made outside of ROAM, e.g., sales made directly on the Marketplace. 2016 Sales Sentinel program available in October 2015 Independence's 2016 Sales Sentinel programs will be available the week of October 4, 2015. Once available, an email will be sent to our General Agency partners with their program link. The links will be for use immediately upon receipt, and replace those currently used by agents who wish to become appointed to sell Independence products. User Guides will be made available as well. Additional information: Inquiries concerning the Independence appointment process can be addressed to LicensingandAppointments@IBX.com For questions concerning the Sales Sentinel site, call Sentinel Technical Support at 1-866-345-7130.   ©2015 Independence Blue Cross. All rights reserved. 1901 Market Street | Philadelphia, PA 19103 Independence Blue Cross offers products directly, through its subsidiaries Keystone Health Plan East and QCC Insurance Company, and with Highmark Blue Shield — independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.