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 2021 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 for a 2-year period. 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 this 2-year certification period using the CDO Organizational Maintenance Web Form. The CDO is also responsible for renewing its CDO status 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 May 29, 2020
• 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)