Important ACA Enrollment Update for OEP 2027
CMS has announced new agent authorization requirements that will take effect for the 2027 Open Enrollment Period (OEP).
Published: 08.20.2026
CMS has announced new agent authorization requirements that will take effect for the 2027 Open Enrollment Period (OEP). These changes will impact how agents enroll and manage Marketplace clients moving forward.
For Plan Year 2027, CMS is transitioning agent-assisted Marketplace enrollment activity to approved Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) platforms that support the new agent authorization process. Brokers should evaluate and select an EDE platform that aligns with their business needs prior to OEP 2027
While this represents a significant shift in the enrollment process, the goal is to simplify agent authorization, reduce fraud, and improve book-of-business management and client retention.
What's Changing?
Beginning with the 2027 plan year:
✅ Agents will no longer be able to submit Marketplace applications directly through HealthCare.gov or the Marketplace Call Center.
✅ Agents must use an Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) platform, such as HealthSherpa, to submit applications.
✅ Agent authorization will be platform-specific. This means your authorization to manage a client's Marketplace coverage will be tied to the platform used to obtain that authorization.
What This Means for Brokers
As agent authorization becomes platform-specific, it will be increasingly important to be intentional about where you manage your ACA book of business.
If you choose to move to a different enrollment platform in the future, you may lose access to:
- Client records stored on your current platform
- Book-of-business management tools
- Renewal and authorization tracking
- Historical client and policy data associated with that platform
How HealthSherpa Is Preparing
To help brokers navigate these changes, HealthSherpa will be introducing several new tools and enhancements, including:
- Bulk agent authorization capabilities
- Book-wide authorization tracking
- Visibility into clients at risk of losing authorization
- Real-time policy status monitoring
- Alerts for grace periods, cancellations, and terminations
- Passive renewal and crosswalk information displayed directly within the platform
- Application prefill tools that streamline the enrollment process
These enhancements are designed to provide greater visibility into your book of business while making it easier to manage client relationships throughout the year.
Broker Action Items
As you prepare for OEP 2027:
- Review the new CMS authorization requirements.
- Evaluate your enrollment platform strategy before Open Enrollment begins.
- Consider how platform-specific authorizations may impact your book of business and client management processes.
- Stay informed about upcoming HealthSherpa enhancements and training opportunities.
Additional Resources
- CMS Guidance and FAQs
- HealthSherpa Agent Authorization FAQ
- HealthSherpa New Details on Agent Authorization for PY2027
