Certified application counselor designated organization application information

New applicants

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is inviting organizations that would like to become certified application counselor designated organizations (CDOs) in a Federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM) for plan year 2022 to apply during CMS’s Open Season.

CMS invites organizations that do not have an active CMS-CDO agreement and that wish to become a CDO in an FFM for the upcoming plan year, to learn more about being a CDO and submit an application. CDO Application resources can be found at the bottom of this page.

Organizations with an expired CMS-CDO agreement should submit a new application.

If you are unsure if your organization has an active or expired CMS-CDO agreement, please email us at CACQuestions@cms.hhs.gov. Please be sure to provide your organization’s name and CDO ID for verification.

Active CDOs

CMS designates CDOs in the FFMs to certify their staff members or volunteers to act as certified application counselors if certain requirements are met. As an organization with an active CMS-CDO agreement, the CDO is responsible for uploading and maintaining a CAC Roster as well as maintaining its CDO record with CMS during the certification period using the CDO Organizational Maintenance Web Form. The CDO is also responsible for renewing its CDO status within a time frame determined and communicated by CMS, typically every 2 years.

Additional resources regarding the CAC Roster, CDO data maintenance and CDO renewals can be found on the Information for Active CDOs page.

For additional questions, contact us at CACQuestions@cms.hhs.gov.

Related links

• CDO Program Information
• Information for Active CDOs
• Technical Assistance Resources for Marketplace Assisters (Webinars, Newsletters, Training, etc.)

Active CDO resources

• User guide:
  • CDO Organizational Maintenance Web Form User Guide – posted September 2021
• FAQs:
  • CDO Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – June 2020
  • CDO Organizational Maintenance Web Form Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – June 2020
• Overview videos:
  • CDO Learning Series – CDO Data Management – posted May 8, 2020 (video) (transcript)
  • CDO Learning Series – CDO Application – posted May 8, 2020 (video) (transcript)
  • CDO Learning Series – CDO Renewal – posted April 27, 2020 (video) (transcript)
  • CDO Learning Series – CAC Roster – posted April 27, 2020 (video) (transcript)
• Demonstration videos:
  • CDO Organizational Maintenance Web Form Demonstration – Overview and Access Code – posted June 19, 2020 (video) (transcript)
  • CDO Organizational Maintenance Web Form Demonstration – CAC Roster – posted June 19, 2020 (video) (transcript)
  • CDO Organizational Maintenance Web Form Demonstration – CDO Data Management – posted June 19, 2020 (video) (transcript)
  • CDO Organizational Maintenance Web Form Demonstration – CDO Renewal – posted June 19, 2020 (video) (transcript)
• Documents:
  • Certified Application Counselor (CAC) Program Update for Plan Year 2021 – July 24, 2020
  • Guidance on Certified Application Counselor Program for the Federally-Facilitated Marketplace including State Partnership Marketplaces

CDO application resources

• FAQs:
  • CDO Application Web Form Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – June 2020
• User guide:
  • CDO Application User Guide – posted May 29, 2020
• Overview video:
  • CDO Learning Series – CDO Application – posted May 8, 2020 (video) (transcript)
• Demonstration
  • Certified Application Counselor Designated Organization (CDO) Application – July 11, 2019 (slides)
  • CDO Application Demonstration – July 11, 2019 (captioned video)
  • CDO Application Demonstration – July 11, 2019 (video transcript)