How can we help you today?
- Where’s the SHOP Agent/Broker Portal?
- You’ll need your CMS Enterprise Portal user ID and password to sign in.
- If you haven’t completed all 3 steps to sell SHOP plans, you won’t be able to log into the SHOP Marketplace Agent/Broker Portal.
- Do I qualify to act as an agent or broker in the SHOP Marketplace?
To sell plans through the SHOP Marketplace, you must have an active state insurance license and a National Producer Number (NPN), and sign a privacy and security agreement with the SHOP Marketplace. Learn more about the process, including optional training available.
- What steps should I take to register as an agent or broker of SHOP plans?
- Do my clients need to re-authorize me as their agent or broker upon renewal?
No, you'll remain the agent or broker on your client's account until you or your client actively end the authorization.
- Where can I get help with my profile or using the SHOP Marketplace Agent/Broker Portal?
Small business agents and brokers can contact the SHOP Call Center any time.
- Do I have to accept the SHOP Marketplace plan my employer offers me?
No. You can decline your employer’s SHOP plan and get coverage through another source.
- Learn about your options if you want to consider other coverage.
- If you don’t have any health coverage, you may have to pay a fee.
- Where can I get information about what my employer’s plan covers and how much it costs?
You’ll get a notice about your SHOP Marketplace coverage offer that includes a participation code. Create a Marketplace account, log in, and you’ll be able to see your offer. You may be offered one plan or a choice of plans.
- Once you have your participation code, you can also contact the SHOP Call Center. A representative can review your offer and help you enroll or decline the coverage.
- If you don’t have a participation code, ask your employer or call the SHOP Call Center at 1-800-706-7893 (TTY: 711) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET.
- Will I automatically be re-enrolled in my SHOP Marketplace coverage each year?
No. When it’s time to renew, you’ll get an email from the SHOP Marketplace letting you know it’s time to log into your account and view your new SHOP Marketplace coverage options. You’ll have at least one week to view, accept or decline your employer’s coverage offer.
- My employer isn’t offering health coverage. Can I still get coverage through the Marketplace?
Yes, but not through the SHOP Marketplace.
- Learn how to get coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace for Individuals & Families.
- I’m self-employed. Can I get coverage through the SHOP Marketplace?
No. If you’re self-employed with no employees, you can enroll in coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace for Individuals & Families. You can’t enroll in a SHOP Marketplace plan.
- Learn more about getting coverage if you’re self-employed, including how self-employment is defined.
- If you have at least one full-time employee other than yourself, a spouse, a family member, or another owner, you can enroll in a SHOP Marketplace plan.
- I work part time. Am I eligible for my employer’s SHOP coverage?
Check with your employer. Employers can decide whether to offer SHOP Marketplace coverage to part-time employees.
- I never got a participation code from my employer. Can I enroll in the SHOP Marketplace plan my job is offering?
No. You need your participation code before you can accept your employer’s SHOP Marketplace coverage offer.
- Ask your employer or call the SHOP Call Center at 1-800-706-7893 (TTY: 711) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET, for your participation code.
- Can I get health coverage through the SHOP Marketplace if I recently lost my job and am unemployed?
If you previously had health coverage through the SHOP Marketplace, you may be able to maintain coverage but you will likely have to pay for the entire premium yourself. Check with your employer about signing up for COBRA coverage. Otherwise, only current employees of firms that are offering SHOP Marketplace plans can enroll in the plan their employer offers.
- If you’re unemployed, you can enroll in a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace for Individuals & Families. Learn about your coverage options if you’re unemployed.
- Where can I see plans and prices before I enroll?
You can see SHOP Marketplace plans and prices by using this tool.
- The prices shown are estimates based only on some basic information. When you apply you’ll provide more details and see the exact amount you’d pay for each plan.
- How much of the premium will I have to pay for my employees' plan and how much will it cost me?
You can decide how much of your employees’ premiums you want to pay. There’s no minimum or maximum percentage or dollar amount.
- Can I get tax credits if I offer health coverage through the SHOP Marketplace?
- Yes, if your business has fewer than 25 employees with an average salary of $50,000 or less and you meet some other requirements.
- Learn about the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit.
- How do I calculate my full-time equivalent (FTE) employees?
- Use our SHOP FTE Calculator to count your total FTEs based on each worker’s full- and part-time hours.
- Can I use an agent or broker in the SHOP marketplace?
Yes. You can work with any agent or broker who’s signed a privacy and security agreement with the SHOP Marketplace.
- Ask any agent or broker you want to work with if they’ve signed it.
- You can find a list of agents and brokers registered with the SHOP Marketplace using our Find Local Help tool.
- Type in your ZIP code and check the box saying you're looking for coverage for your small business.
- You'll see a list of nearby agents and brokers who use the SHOP Marketplace to sell small business plans.
- What if I operate in more than one state?
You have several choices about how you offer SHOP Marketplace coverage. Learn about your options if your business operates in more than one state.
- Do I have to provide my employees with health coverage?
Not if you have 1-50 employees. You can choose to offer insurance through the SHOP Marketplace or any other source. But you don’t have to, and you don’t face a penalty if you don’t.
- If you have 50 or more employees, you may have to offer health coverage meeting certain standards or make a payment. Learn about the Employer Shared Responsibility Payment.
- Will my business be automatically re-enrolled in SHOP Marketplace coverage each year?
No. To continue or change the coverage you offer your employees, you must take action each year.
- Learn how to renew your SHOP Marketplace insurance.
- Learn about when to renew your SHOP Marketplace insurance.
- What if I’m self-employed?
If you’re self-employed with no employees, you can enroll in coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace for Individuals & Families. You can’t enroll in a SHOP Marketplace plan.
- Learn more about how self-employment is defined.
- If you have at least one full-time employee other than yourself, a spouse, a family member, or another owner, you can enroll in a SHOP Marketplace plan.
- How do I make payments for my SHOP Marketplace plan?
You make your premium payments to the SHOP Marketplace, not your insurance company. If your employees are enrolled in multiple plans, you’ll still pay one monthly bill to the SHOP Marketplace.
- Learn more about paying your SHOP premiums (PDF).
- Where can I get a list of agents and brokers in my area?
You can find a list of agents and brokers registered with the SHOP Marketplace using our Find Local Help tool.
- Type in your ZIP code and check the box saying you're looking for coverage for your small business.
- You'll see a list of nearby agents and brokers who use the SHOP Marketplace to sell small business plans.
- I never got a participation code from my employer. Can I enroll in the SHOP Marketplace plan my job is offering?
No. You need your participation code before you can accept your employer’s SHOP Marketplace coverage offer.
- Ask your employer or call the SHOP Call Center at 1-800-706-7893 (TTY: 711) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET, for your participation code.
Apply & enroll in the SHOP Marketplace any time
There's no limited enrollment period for the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace.
Whether you apply online or use an agent or broker, you can apply, pick a plan, and enroll employees any time of year. Coverage can start at any time you choose.