Certified Application Counselors (CACs) help people apply and enroll in the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges. Each state exchange must have a Certified Application Counselor program, with similar training and privacy standards as Navigators and Assisters (although the training and certification requirements are less rigorous for CACs).
The CACs help people understand and choose the right health plan, conduct outreach, maintain experience in eligibility, enrollment, and all insurance affordability program specifications; provide information and services in a fair, impartial and culturally competent manner; and facilitate selection of a QHP. CACs are not required to begin providing additional post-enrollment assistance starting in 2018, although they will be able to do so if properly trained.