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Qualified Health Plan Enrollee Experience Survey: 2027 Vendor Participation Form
ICR 202607-0938-016 · OMB 0938-1221 · Object 171412500.
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| File Type | application/pdf |
|---|---|
| File Title | Qualified Health Plan Enrollee Experience Survey: 2027 Vendor Participation Form |
| Subject | Qualified Health Plan Enrollee Experience Survey: 2027 Vendor Participation Form; July 2026 |
| Keywords | CMS; Qualified Health Plan; QHP; survey; issuer; enrollee experience; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; sponsors; im |
| Author | Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) |
| Last Modified By | Microsoft® Word for Microsoft 365 |
| File Modified | 2026-01-06 |
| File Created | 2025-12-19 |
| Conversion State | complete |
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Health Insurance Exchange Qualified Health Plan Enrollee Experience Survey: 2027 Vendor Participation Form July 2026 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX Vendors seeking approval by the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to administer the 2027 Qualified Health Plan Enrollee Experience Survey (QHP Enrollee Survey) on behalf of QHP issuers must fulfill all requirements outlined in the 2027 QHP Enrollee Survey Minimum Business Requirements (MBR) and listed below. In order to apply for HHS-approval to administer the 2027 QHP Enrollee Survey, prospective vendors must submit a completed Participation Form to the QHP Enrollee Survey Project Team (Project Team) via email to [email protected]. Vendors must submit the completed form in PDF format with the following naming convention: 2027 QHP Participation Form_ [Vendor Name]_MMDDYY (e.g., 2027 QHP Participation Form_VendorXYZ_071526.pdf). Vendors must also submit a curriculum vitae (CV) for all identified vendor and subcontractor key project staff. ALL VENDOR PARTICIPATION FORMS AND APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE DUE TO THE PROJECT TEAM BY JULY 15, 2026, AT 11:59 P.M. (ET). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will review vendor applications for compliance with the Minimum Business Requirements (MBR). Vendors that are granted conditional approval must complete 2027 QHP Enrollee Survey Vendor Training to earn final approval to administer the 2027 QHP Enrollee Survey. The 2027 QHP Enrollee Survey Vendor Training is tentatively scheduled for September 24, 2026. The Qualified Health Plan Enrollee Experience Survey: Technical Specifications for 2027 (2027 Technical Specifications) will be published by October 2026. Prospective vendors must comply with the 2027 Technical Specifications for approval as a 2027 QHP Enrollee Survey Vendor. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0938-1221. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 100 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. The expiration date for this form is XX/XX/XXXX. If you have comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: CMS, 7500 Security Boulevard, Attn: PRA Reports Clearance Officer, Mail Stop C4-26-05, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850. 2 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX I. General Information Please complete the section below to provide general organizational information. 1. Organization Name 2. Organization Mailing Address 3. Organization Telephone Number 4. Organization Website Address 5. Number of Years in Business and Date Company Founded 6. Number of Years Conducting Patient Experience Surveys by Mode Mail: Telephone: Internet: 7. Number of Years Conducting Mixed-Mode (i.e., Mail, Telephone, and Internet) Patient Experience Surveys 8. Primary Contact Person (First Name, Last Name; Title; Credentials) 9. Primary Contact Mailing Address 10. Primary Contact Telephone Number 11. Primary Contact Email Address 12. Organization will use Remote Operations ☐ Yes ☐ No 13. Survey Administration Roles that will use Remote Operations 3 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX II. QHP Enrollee Survey Minimum Business Requirements Vendors must meet all Minimum Business Requirements. Please check “Yes” or “No” for each item below to indicate your organization’s compliance with the following Minimum Business Requirements. 1. Relevant Survey Experience Number of Years in Business ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has a minimum of three years’ recent experience administering standardized patient experience surveys; all experience must be within the last five years (2022-2026). ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has a minimum of three years’ recent experience conducting large-scale mixed-mode survey protocols in all three modes (mail/telephone/internet); all experience must be within the last five years (2022-2026). ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has recent experience* administering patient experience surveys for vulnerable populations. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has a minimum of two years’ recent experience employing a statistical sampling process; count only experience within the last five years (2022-2026). ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has recent experience* submitting patient experience survey data to an external third-party organization. ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has been in business for a minimum of four years. Organizational Survey Experience Vendor has recent experience complying with CMS-sponsored survey project protocols. Note: Poor past performance on CMS-sponsored survey projects (e.g., not adhering to the timeline and/or survey administration procedures, not adhering to required oversight activities, not adhering to Discrepancy Report procedures and/or corrective actions) will fail to meet minimum business requirements. Approval as a vendor in recent years does not guarantee future approval. *Experience with polling questions, qualitative data collection, surveys that did not use statistical sampling methods, or Interactive-Voice Response (IVR) surveys is not considered relevant experience for approval. 4 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX In reviewing applications, CMS will consider the applicant’s recent experience on other CMSsponsored surveys as a vendor. Experience with polling questions, qualitative data collection, surveys that did not use statistical sampling methods, or Interactive-Voice Response (IVR) surveys are not considered relevant experience for approval. Recent experience on CMS-Sponsored Surveys CMS has approved the applicant as a vendor to implement other CMS-sponsored or CAHPS surveys. ☐ Yes ☐ No Complete table below In the table below, provide details of at least five (but not more than 10) recent CMS-sponsored standardized patient experience surveys your organization conducted within the last five-year period (2022-2026). For mixed-mode survey administrations, indicate in the Mode of Survey Administration column the specific mixed modes used (e.g., mail and internet). If needed, vendors may include this information as an attachment. Survey name, type, contract number Average sample size (and response rate %) per data collection period Data collection period (Start and end dates) Number of contracted clients Survey administration mode (Mixed mode, mail-only, telephone-only, internet-only) Language(s) administered Number of years administering survey 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Experience with Survey Administration in Multiple Languages Vendor has recent experience administering mail, telephone, and internet surveys in English and Spanish. ☐ Yes ☐ No Is your organization seeking CMS approval to administer the QHP Enrollee Survey in Chinese? ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No If applying to administer the QHP Enrollee Survey in Chinese: Vendor has recent experience administering mail and internet surveys in Simplified Chinese and telephone surveys in Mandarin. 5 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX Explanation Please explain any “No” responses to the above Relevant Survey Experience requirements. Indicate the requirement(s) to which the explanation applies: Requirement Explanation 2. Organizational Survey Capacity Anticipated Clients for 2026 Survey Administration Do you have any anticipated clients for 2027 survey administration? ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has sufficient physical and personnel resources to administer large-scale outgoing and incoming mail surveys, perform telephone interviews using an electronic telephone interviewing system, and administer the internet survey during the survey fielding period (e.g., February to May). ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor conducts all survey-related activities within the Continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska, and U.S. Territories. This requirement applies to all staff and subcontractors (including remote staff). ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to adhere to requirements specified in the 2027 Technical Specifications. ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No If your organization anticipates clients for 2027 survey administration, please specify estimated number of clients: Capacity to Handle Estimated Workload Personnel Vendor has designated a Project Manager (PM) who oversees all survey operations. The PM’s Curriculum Vitae (CV) shows evidence of: • at least three years of experience overseeing all functional aspects of survey operations including mail, telephone, internet, data file preparation, and data security; • strong background in survey research and methodology; and • previous experience leading mixed-mode administration. Note: PM must be the vendor’s direct employee, not a subcontractor. Vendor has a designated Mail Survey Supervisor with a minimum of one year’s experience managing large-scale mail survey projects. 6 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX Vendor has a designated Telephone Center Survey Supervisor with a minimum of one year’s experience managing large-scale telephone interviewing projects. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has a designated Internet Survey Supervisor with a minimum of one year’s experience managing large-scale internet survey projects. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has a designated Sampling Manager, directly employed by the vendor (i.e., not a subcontractor), with a minimum of one year’s experience with sample frame development and sample selection. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has designated Information System personnel (i.e., programmers) who are directly employed by the vendor (i.e., not a subcontractor) and have a minimum of one year’s previous experience preparing and submitting data files in a specified format to external thirdparty organization(s). ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has sufficient and experienced organizational back-up staff for coverage of key staff. ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor and its subcontractors (if applicable) have the capacity to conduct business operations and all survey-related work, including mail and internet survey administration and telephone interviewing, at the vendor’s or approved subcontractor’s official business location. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to reproduce and mail questionnaires, cover letters and reminder letters at the vendor’s or subcontractor’s official business location. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to process (e.g., scan or key enter) incoming paper surveys at the vendor’s or subcontractor’s official business location. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to program electronic telephone interview systems in accordance with specifications provided and to conduct telephone interviews using an electronic telephone interviewing system at the vendor’s or subcontractor’s official business location. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to produce and program the internet survey instrument and all required emails in-house. ☐ Yes ☐ No System Resources Vendor’s commercial physical plant and system resources meet CMS specifications and accommodate the volume of surveys being administered. Note: All system resources are subject to oversight activities, including onsite visits to physical locations and remote quality oversight activities. 7 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX Vendor has the capacity to produce a mobile-ready version of the internet survey in-house. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to manage concurrent survey projects while maintaining high-quality survey data and response rates. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to employ an electronic survey management system to track fielded surveys through each stage of the protocol using random, unique de-identified enrollee identification numbers and interim disposition codes. This electronic survey management system prevents duplicative records. ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to provide regular progress reports to QHP issuers within guidelines specified by CMS. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to maintain a secure work environment for receiving, processing, and storing hardcopy and electronic versions of questionnaires and sample files that protect the confidentiality of survey response data and Personally Identifiable Information (PII). ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to prepare, accommodate, and plan for onsite or remote visits from CMS or the CMS-sponsored Project Team for quality oversight purposes. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor can print, assemble, and mail survey materials in accordance with the 2027 Technical Specifications. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor can program the electronic telephone interviewing system in accordance with the 2027 Technical Specifications. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor can produce and program the internet survey instrument in accordance with the 2027 Technical Specifications. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor can comply with all quality oversight requirements described in the 2027 Technical Specifications. This includes the submission of sample mail materials, sample telephone scripts and interviewer screen shots, and an internet survey test link and test emails to the Project Team for review and approval prior to survey administration. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has a demonstrated ability to collect and accurately process survey data through all phases of survey administration. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has demonstrated experience identifying and contacting nonrespondents for mail and telephone follow-up. ☐ Yes ☐ No If electing to use remote operations for select survey administration roles (e.g., customer support, telephone interviewing): Vendor has the capacity to oversee remote operations and confirm the continued quality control and data security of remote staff. Mixed-Mode Administration 8 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX Vendor has demonstrated ability to adhere to the survey administration timeline. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has experience using commercial software/resources to verify that addresses and telephone numbers are updated and correct for all sampled enrollees. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has demonstrated capability to administer the survey in English and Spanish (and Chinese, if applicable). ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor can assign appropriate disposition codes to each sampled enrollee to indicate final survey status. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to adhere to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA) requirements set forth by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has consistent experience in the last five years (2022-2026) selecting random samples based on specific eligibility criteria. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has adequate documentation of its statistical approach to drawing a sample. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has demonstrated ability to work with QHP issuer(s) to electronically obtain sample frame(s) for sampling within a specified time frame. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor will adhere to all sampling procedures specified in the 2027 Technical Specifications. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor will conduct quality checks on sample frame file(s) received from QHP issuer(s) and sampling procedures to verify accuracy and completeness of sample frame information and processes. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendors will conduct the sampling process in-house and will not subcontract this activity. ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No If electing to use remote operations for select survey administration roles (e.g., customer support, telephone interviewing): Vendor has demonstrated the ability to implement remote operations while maintaining quality and data security. Sampling Experience Data Submission Vendor has the capability to scan or key enter data per protocols detailed in the 2027 Technical Specifications. 9 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX Vendor has the capacity to adhere to all data preparation and submission rules specified in the 2027 Technical Specifications, including verifying data are de-identified and contain no duplicate cases. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor staff can complete remote identity proofing (RIDP) to register an account in CMS’s Identity Management (IDM) system by providing required information, including full legal name, social security number, date of birth, current residential address, and personal phone number.* ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to submit data electronically to the designated website in the format specified in the 2027 Technical Specifications. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor will execute Business Associate Agreement(s) with QHP issuer(s) and receive annual authorization from QHP issuer(s) to collect and submit data to CMS on their behalf. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor will work with the Project Team to resolve data and data file submission problems within the specified timeframe. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor maintains established electronic security procedures related to access levels, passwords, and firewalls as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to protect against unauthorized access to electronic files. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor performs daily data backup and offsite redundancy procedures that adequately safeguard system data. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor develops a disaster recovery plan for conducting ongoing business operations in the event of a natural or human-related disaster that includes coordination with relevant emergency preparedness systems. ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has established procedures for identifying, handling, and reporting breaches of confidential data. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor will prepare and submit data via secure, HIPAA compliant methods. ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No Data Security Vendor has the capacity to use required encryption protocols, as applicable, to transmit data files. Note: CMS-defined PII must be transmitted securely (e.g., encrypted file via email, data portal, or Secure File Transfer Protocol). Data Retention Vendor has the capacity to retain and easily retrieve all data files for a minimum of three years. 10 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX Vendor has the capacity to store returned paper questionnaires in a secure and environmentally safe location, either onsite or using an offsite contractor. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to securely destroy QHP Enrollee Surveyrelated data files after a minimum of three years, or as otherwise specified by CMS. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to store data files (paper and/or electronic) securely and confidentially in accordance with specified requirements. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity and resources to ensure data confidentiality for sampled enrollee PII and survey responses during each phase of the survey process. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor will obtain signed confidentiality agreements from staff and subcontractors. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity and resources to comply with all applicable HIPAA Security and Privacy Rules, as well as Protected Health Information (PHI) and PII protocols in conducting all survey administration and data collection activities. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to establish toll-free customer support telephone lines with a live operator during regular vendor business hours and a survey-specific customer support email address to accommodate inquiries received in both English and Spanish throughout the duration of survey fielding. ☐ Yes ☐ No If administering the survey in Chinese, vendor has the capacity and resources to accommodate telephone and email inquiries from Chinesespeaking survey participants. ☐ Yes ☐ No Confidentiality Technical Assistance/Customer Support *Vendors requesting electronic access to protected CMS information or systems, including the QHP Enrollee Survey Website, must complete identity proofing. CMS uses the Experian identity verification system to remotely perform identity proofing. CMS uses this information for the purpose of identity verification via Experian only. Information will be kept private and will not be shared with any federal or private agency. For more information regarding how CMS uses the information provided, please read the CMS Privacy Act Statement. Explanation Please explain any “No” responses to the above Organizational Survey Capacity requirements. Indicate the requirement(s) to which the explanation applies: Requirement Explanation 11 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX 3. Quality Control Procedures Demonstrated Quality Control Procedures Vendor has the capacity to establish and document quality control procedures for all phases of survey implementation, as specified in the 2027 Technical Specifications, including: • Internal staff training; • Printing, mailing and recording receipt of surveys; • Telephone administration of surveys (electronic telephone interviewing system); • Internet administration of surveys; • Adequate monitoring of subcontractors (if applicable); • Scanning and coding of survey data; • Preparing final data files for submission; and • All other functions and processes that affect the administration of the QHP Enrollee Survey. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to develop and submit an annual Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) for administration in accordance with the 2027 Technical Specifications. The QAP will provide written evidence of the processes used to collect and process survey data accurately through all phases of fielding. ☐ Yes ☐ No Vendor has the capacity to accommodate onsite and/or remote visits by CMS and the Project Team to the physical business premises on which major operations of survey business are conducted, as specified in the 2027 Technical Specifications. ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No Training Requirements and Participants If granted conditional approval status, vendor staff will complete QHP Enrollee Survey Vendor Training (September 2026) and Data Submission Training (February 2027). Vendor will complete an evaluation of the QHP Enrollee Survey Vendor Training. Vendor will establish in-house training for new staff involved in all aspects of survey administration to ensure compliance with contract training requirements. 12 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX At a minimum, the Project Manager, Mail Survey Supervisor, Sampling Manager, Telephone Center Supervisor, and Internet Survey Supervisor, will attend QHP Enrollee Survey Vendor Training, as required in the 2027 Technical Specifications. Note: Attendance by vendor staff responsible for data coding and file preparation is strongly recommended. Subcontractor attendance is optional. At a minimum, the Project Manager, Sampling Manager, and Information System personnel, will attend Data Submission Training, as required in the 2027 Technical Specifications. ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No Note: Attendance by vendor staff responsible for data coding and file preparation is strongly recommended. Subcontractor attendance is optional. Explanation Please explain any “No” responses to the above Quality Control Procedures requirements. Indicate the requirement(s) to which the explanation applies: Requirement Explanation 13 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX III. Name List of Key Project Staff Role Years with Organization Email Address Telephone Number 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 14 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX IV. Subcontractors Subcontractors Response Check here if your organization does not plan to use subcontractors for 2027 QHP Enrollee Survey administration. ☐ Please complete the following section for each subcontractor your organization plans to use for 2027 QHP Enrollee Survey administration. The following requirements must be met: • • • • Each subcontractor must meet the criteria outlined for the survey administration activity that it will conduct. The subcontracting of printing, outgoing mail processing, data entry and scanning, and telephone interviewing and/or customer support by a vendor is limited to a reasonable number of subcontractors based on the vendor’s estimated number of surveyed enrollees, and subject to CMS review. The vendor may not subcontract sample file generation, email or internet survey administration, or data file preparation and submission. All subcontractors are subject to CMS approval. Subcontractor Name(s), Role(s) and Experience Subcontractor 1 1. Subcontractor organization name 2. Mailing address 3. Telephone number 4. Number of years in business 5. Number of years subcontractor has worked with your organization 6. Survey administration role(s) 7. Experience related to survey administration role(s), including names of relevant projects 8. Primary contact person (First name, Last name; Title; Credential(s)) 9. Primary contact telephone number 10. Primary contact email address 11. Subcontractor will use remote operations ☐ Yes ☐ No 15 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX Subcontractor 2 1. Subcontractor organization name 2. Mailing address 3. Telephone number 4. Number of years in business 5. Number of years subcontractor has worked with your organization 6. Survey administration role(s) 7. Experience related to survey administration role(s), including names of relevant projects 8. Primary contact person (First name, Last name; Title; Credential(s)) 9. Primary contact telephone number 10. Primary contact email address 11. Subcontractor will use remote operations ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Yes ☐ No Subcontractor 3 1. Subcontractor organization name 2. Mailing address 3. Telephone number 4. Number of years in business 5. Number of years subcontractor has worked with your organization 6. Survey administration role(s) 7. Experience related to survey administration role(s), including names of relevant projects 8. Primary contact person (First name, Last name; Title; Credential(s)) 9. Primary contact telephone number 10. Primary contact email address 11. Subcontractor will use remote operations 16 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX Subcontractor 4 1. Subcontractor organization name 2. Mailing address 3. Telephone number 4. Number of years in business 5. Number of years subcontractor has worked with your organization 6. Survey administration role(s) 7. Experience related to survey administration role(s), including names of relevant projects 8. Primary contact person (First name, Last name; Title; Credential(s)) 9. Primary contact telephone number 10. Primary contact email address 11. Subcontractor will use remote operations ☐ Yes ☐ No 17 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX V. Curriculum Vitae (CV) Please submit a CV for all identified key vendor staff and subcontractor staff, if applicable, via email to the Project Team at [email protected]. Please ensure subject line in email reads, “[Vendor Name] Key Staff CV Submission.” VI. Participation Rules Any vendor participating in 2027 QHP Enrollee Survey administration must adhere to the following Participation Rules. To be eligible, the organization must: 1. Meet the 2027 QHP Enrollee Survey Minimum Business Requirements (MBR). 2. Participate in a teleconference call with the Project Team (as determined by CMS) to discuss relevant survey experience, organizational survey capability and capacity, quality control procedures, and role of subcontractors (if applicable). 3. Participate in and successfully complete QHP Enrollee Survey Vendor Training and Data Submission Training. At a minimum, the organization’s Project Manager, Mail Survey Supervisor, Telephone Survey Supervisor, Internet Survey Supervisor, and Sampling Manager must attend the QHP Enrollee Survey Vendor training as representatives of the organization. At a minimum, the organization’s Project Manager, Sampling Manager, and Information System personnel, must attend Data Submission Training, as required in the 2027 Technical Specifications. Subcontractor attendance is optional to both QHP Enrollee Survey Vendor Training and Data Submission Training. 4. Review and comply with the 2027 Technical Specifications and any policy updates. 5. Develop and submit a vendor Quality Assurance Plan as specified by the deadline determined by CMS. In addition, submit materials relevant to the survey administration (as determined by CMS), including mailing materials (e.g., cover letters, questionnaires, reminder letters and envelopes), telephone scripts and the internet survey instrument. 6. Contract with at least one QHP issuer client and field the QHP Enrollee Survey within two survey administration cycles of initial approval. 7. Participate and cooperate (including subcontractors) in all oversight activities conducted by the Project Team, including but not limited to survey material review, remote site visits, seeded mailings, telephone interview monitoring, data review, and other oversight activities as determined by CMS. 18 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX 8. Oversee remote operations and confirm the continued quality control and data security of remote staff if electing to use remote operations for select survey functions (e.g., customer support, telephone interviewing). 9. Comply with all rules and regulations pertaining to PII and PHI per the HIPAA. 10. Submit an interim survey data file to CMS, as determined by CMS. 11. Submit data on time, as specified by the deadline determined by CMS. 12. Attest to the accuracy of the organization’s data collection (as determined by CMS) and follow the guidelines set forth in the 2027 Technical Specifications. 13. Notify the Project Team of any discrepancies or variations from standard QHP Enrollee Survey protocols that occur as the discrepancy is identified. The vendor must complete and submit a Discrepancy Report (in the format and manner specified by CMS) within one business day of becoming aware of the discrepancy. Vendors must notify QHP issuer clients whenever a Discrepancy Report is submitted to the Project Team regarding their reporting unit(s), as applicable. 14. Attest that the vendor is organizationally independent from the QHP issuer client; the vendor must not administer the QHP Enrollee Survey or produce survey results to meet CMS requirements for any QHP client issuer that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the vendor. 15. Acknowledge that contracting with and successfully administering the QHP Enrollee Survey on behalf of at least one QHP issuer within 24 months of receiving initial approval status is a requirement for continued approval status. A vendor must continue to field the survey for at least one QHP issuer during every 24-month increment following the initial 24-month period. 16. Acknowledge that CMS may, at its sole discretion, terminate or discontinue the “approved” status of a vendor. CMS may exercise these actions at any point during survey administration. 17. Acknowledge that review of and agreement with the Rules of Participation is necessary for participation. 19 OMB No. 0938-1221: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX I. Applicant Organization Qualification and Acceptance I certify that: Authorized Representative • I have reviewed and agree to meet the Rules Name: of Participation for participating in the 2027 QHP Enrollee Survey. Title: • The statements herein are true, complete, Organization: and accurate to the best of my knowledge, and I accept the obligation to comply with Date: the 2027 QHP Enrollee Survey MBR. Signature: For assistance, please contact the Project Team by email at [email protected]. 20