How do ACA agents get paid?

Usually per member per month (PMPM) — often around $20/member/month — calculated on the full premium regardless of the client's subsidy. It renews monthly as long as the member keeps the plan, and many carriers add Open Enrollment bonuses.

Can you sell ACA insurance year-round?

Yes. There's a main Open Enrollment Period, but Special Enrollment Periods from life events — plus a standing SEP for many lower-income households — let agents write ACA business throughout the year.

How to Sell ACA Health Insurance (Under-65 Marketplace)

Q: What certification do I need to sell ACA plans?

Beyond a health license and carrier appointments, you must complete the free Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) registration and training through CMS each plan year (or your state exchange's equivalent).

ACA (Affordable Care Act) under-65 health insurance is a powerful complement to a Medicare or life book: it pays monthly, renews automatically, and keeps you productive year-round. Here's how to start selling Marketplace plans.

Step 1: Be properly licensed

You need an active health line of authority in your resident state, and a license in any other state where you want to write. (Many ACA agents hold a combined Life & Health license.)

Step 2: Complete FFM certification (it's free)

To sell on the federal Marketplace you must complete the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) registration and training each plan year through CMS. It's free and takes a few hours. State-based exchanges have their own (similar) process.

Step 3: Get appointed with carriers

Get carrier appointments for the plans you'll sell in each state. Many agents also use an enrollment platform (like HealthSherpa) that streamlines quoting, subsidy estimates, and enrollment.

How ACA commissions work

ACA typically pays per member per month (PMPM) — commonly around $20/member/month — on the full undiscounted premium, regardless of any subsidy the client receives. A family of three at ~$20 PMPM each is ~$60/month, or ~$720/year, and it renews monthly as long as the member keeps the plan and pays. Many carriers add production bonuses during Open Enrollment.

The ACA calendar

Open Enrollment Period (OEP): the main window (commonly Nov 1 – Jan 15 in most states) to enroll or change plans.
Special Enrollment Periods: life events (job loss, move, marriage, birth, income changes) plus a standing SEP for many lower-income households mean you can write ACA all year.

Why agents love ACA

Year-round production smooths the income gaps between Medicare seasons.
PMPM renewals build a recurring base that compounds with each OEP.
Cross-sell dental, vision, and accident plans to grow each household's value.

A few realities

Subsidy and eligibility rules change, so stay current, and document everything for compliance. Persistency matters — help clients keep paying premiums so your renewals stick.

Bridgepoint helps agents add ACA the right way — certification, carriers, tools, and leads — so you produce 12 months a year. Apply to get started.