Supporting Statement for Agent/Broker Consent Information Collection (CMS-10840)
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
02/27/2026
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
07/31/2028
9,800,624
9,800,600
1,666,624
1,666,601
52,269,473
52,268,080
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148, enacted on March 23, 2010, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, Public Law 111-152, enacted on March 30, 2010 (collectively, âAffordable Care Actâ), expanded access to health insurance for individuals and employees of small businesses through the establishment of new Affordable Insurance Exchanges (Exchanges), also called Marketplaces. The Exchanges, which became operational on January 1, 2014, enhance competition in the health insurance market, expand access to affordable health insurance for millions of Americans, and provide consumers with a place to easily compare and shop for health insurance coverage.
Section 1312(e) of the Affordable Care Act directs the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish procedures under which a state may permit agents and brokers to enroll qualified individuals and employers into qualified health plans (QHPs) offered through an Exchange and to enable these agents and brokers to assist individuals in applying for advance payments of the premium tax credit and cost-sharing reductions.
Authority for collection of this information comes from 45 C.F.R. §155.220(c)(5), which states that âHHS or its designee may periodically monitor and audit an agent, broker, or web-broker under this subpart to assess its compliance with the applicable requirements of this section.â This information collection specifically details what information will be required to be collected and maintained by agents, brokers, and web-brokers were they to receive a request from HHS for consent records. Currently, HHS only plans to collect information from a small percentage of agents, brokers, or web-brokers in conjunction with active investigations of potential fraud. Utilizing §155.220(c)(5) and the information to be collected under newly proposed §§ 155.220(j)(2)(ii)(A)(1-2) and 155.220(j)(2)(iii)(A-C), HHS will be able to verify whether or not an agent, broker, or web-broker has obtained consent from a consumer they are assisting in enrolling in coverage in the individual market, and whether the consumer has reviewed their eligibility information and confirmed its accuracy.
US Code:
45 USC 155.220
Name of Law: Exchange Establishment Standards and Other Related Standards under the Affordable Care Act
PL:
Pub.L. 111 - 148 1312
Name of Law: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
US Code: 45 USC 155.220 Name of Law: Exchange Establishment Standards and Other Related Standards under the Affordable Care Act
PL: Pub.L. 111 - 148 1312 Name of Law: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
There is an overall increase in the financial burden from the 2025 PRA package. There is no change in the number of agents, brokers, or web-brokers required to use the HHS-mandated model consent form to meet the eligibility application review requirements and the consumer consent documentation requirements. There is no change in the number of policies submitted by agents. There is a small increase in burden due to the new proposed activity of responding to HHS requests to provide compliant marketing. Lastly, an increase in labor costs also contributed to the increase in burden costs.
The total annual burden hours increased from 1,666,600 to 1,666,624, which is an increase of 24 hours. The estimated annual cost increased from $94,702,080 to $96,762,217, which is an increase of $2,060,137.
$72,638
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
Jamaa Hill 301 492-4190
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.