The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have announced a temporary moratorium on Affordable Care Act (ACA) agent registrations for plan year 2027.
CMS says the action is intended to strengthen program integrity and protect enrollments from unauthorized action and fraud.
We’ll discuss who is affected, how the future of marketplace enrollments could be impacted, and actions you can take.
What Is the CMS Moratorium on New Agents?
CMS has issued an interim final rule temporarily pausing new agent registrations for the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM). At this time, no new agents are able to complete FFM training to sell ACA insurance products for 2027.
No new agents are able to complete FFM training to sell ACA insurance products for 2027.
This moratorium is in place until February 1, 2027, unless it is extended, lifted, or otherwise modified.
Read the full moratorium new FFM registrations from CMS here >
Who Is Affected by the 2027 CMS Moratorium?
Only agents seeking to complete FFM certification for the first time in 2027 or who did not complete FFM certification in 2026 will not be able to complete training.
Agents who only operate in state-based marketplaces and agents who completed 2026 training are not affected by the pause.
Why Is CMS Pausing New ACA Agent Registrations?
CMS mentions that the interim final rule is a part of a larger effort to continue combatting fraud, waste, and abuse.
The agency cited significant increases in allegations and confirmed cases of:
- Unauthorized enrollments
- Unauthorized plan switches
- Misuse of consumer information
- Inaccurate application data submitted through the FFM
The administration referenced receiving 624,000 complaints related to unauthorized enrollments or changes between 2023 and 2025. Approximately 300,000 complaints occurred in 2025 alone.
The administration referenced receiving 624,000 complaints related to unauthorized enrollments or changes between 2023 and 2025.
Additionally, newly registered agents appeared in the complaints disproportionally than any other categories of agents.
What the Future of the Marketplace in 2027 Could Be
The moratorium is intended to give CMS time to roll out a program to safeguard marketplace enrollments.
CMS outlines enhancements such as:
- Stronger identity-proofing requirements
- Expanded authentication controls
- Increased monitoring of enrollment activity
- Enhanced consumer authorization requirements
- Additional protections against unauthorized enrollments and plan switching
These improvements are meant to restore consumer confidence in the marketplace and ensure that enrollments accurately reflect an individual’s intentions. They could protect consumers and potentially safeguard agents in the future
This interim final rule could face legal challenges, such as an injunction from lower-level courts.
What Does This Mean for Agents?
If you’re already active in the federal marketplace, you may not notice an immediate impact. Existing agents who have completed 2026 FFM certification can continue completing certification requirements for plan year 2027.
For new agents hoping to enter the FFM this year, the moratorium creates a temporary delay. Look to participating state-based marketplaces to continue to do business, if possible, or assist consumers with ancillary insurance products to pair with their ACA plan.
And better yet? Our Under-65 Sales team provides support for agents working in select state-based marketplaces!
Stay informed about ongoing changes and legislation in the marketplace by keeping up with the Ritter blog!
As a Ritter agent, you’ll have access to a competitive library of ACA contracts and a full Sales team of support in sticky situations such as new rules.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
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