Reminder: Social Security Numbers are Required on Marketplace Applications
Please read below for requirements about Social Security Numbers provided by Healthcare.gov.
Healthcare.gov wants to remind agents and brokers of the requirements for including your clients’ Social Security numbers (SSNs) on Marketplace applications. As a reminder, SSNs are required by federal regulation for anyone who is seeking coverage for themselves and has been assigned an SSN by the Social Security Administration.
Failing to include a client’s SSN on their Marketplace application could cause them to lose Marketplace coverage and/or financial assistance and you to lose commissions for impacted enrollments.
It is very important that you ask consumers who are seeking coverage whether they have SSNs. If the individual seeking coverage for themself has an SSN, they must provide it. If they do not, the consumer will be required to submit documents to confirm their information as part of the data matching issue (DMI) process. This will require follow-up that will put a consumer's future coverage and/or financial assistance, as well as your commissions, at risk.
What you need to do:
- If a consumer has an SSN, you must collect and submit it when prompted in the online application.
- If a consumer does not have an SSN, you should work with them to submit the additional documents that are requested to resolve their DMIs.
- You should also work with your clients to update applications with missing SSNs as soon as possible.
- You can assure your clients that all their information will be safeguarded.
For more information, see:
- Tip Sheet: Enrolling Consumers the Right Way: SSN Requirements(also available in Spanish)
- Agent/Broker Summit Presentation: Data Matching Issues Workshop
- FAQ: Why is it important to include SSNs on Marketplace applications?
- FAQ: Are SSNs required for coverage and financial assistance?
Have questions regarding consumer SSNs? For additional assistance, contact the Agent/Broker Email Help Desk via email at
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