ACA Communication & Stakeholder Engagement 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal agency is primarily responsible for overseeing ACA communications to the public through Healthcare.gov?
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (Correct answer)
- Department of Labor (DOL)
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Social Security Administration (SSA)
Correct answer: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
CMS administers Healthcare.gov and leads federal ACA consumer communications and outreach.
Question 2: A Navigator helping a non-English-speaking client must ensure materials are available in the client's preferred language. This obligation stems from which ACA provision?
- Section 1557 non-discrimination requirements (Correct answer)
- Section 1401 premium tax credit rules
- Section 5000A individual mandate
- Section 1311 exchange establishment rules
Correct answer: Section 1557 non-discrimination requirements
Section 1557 prohibits discrimination based on national origin and requires meaningful access for limited English proficient individuals.
Question 3: When communicating with a small business owner about SHOP marketplace options, which stakeholder concern should be addressed first?
- Cost and affordability of premiums for employees (Correct answer)
- The employer's political views on the ACA
- Whether the owner prefers paper or digital applications
- The business's social media presence
Correct answer: Cost and affordability of premiums for employees
Cost is consistently the primary concern for small business owners considering employee health coverage through SHOP.
Question 4: A Certified Application Counselor (CAC) is ethically prohibited from doing which of the following during client communications?
- Recommending a specific plan based on personal commission incentives (Correct answer)
- Explaining the difference between metallic tier levels
- Helping a client compare out-of-pocket costs
- Providing information about special enrollment periods
Correct answer: Recommending a specific plan based on personal commission incentives
CACs must provide unbiased assistance and cannot recommend plans based on personal financial incentives.
Question 5: During an outreach event at a community health center, which message best motivates uninsured individuals to explore marketplace plans?
- Financial assistance may reduce monthly premiums to near zero for eligible individuals (Correct answer)
- Enrollment is mandatory and penalties apply for non-enrollment in 2026
- All plans cover the same services at the same cost
- Only healthy individuals qualify for marketplace coverage
Correct answer: Financial assistance may reduce monthly premiums to near zero for eligible individuals
Highlighting available financial assistance (premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions) is the most effective motivator for uninsured individuals.
Question 6: Which communication channel is most effective for reaching elderly populations during ACA open enrollment?
- Direct mail and in-person community events (Correct answer)
- Instagram and TikTok social media campaigns
- Text message SMS blasts
- Online chatbots on Healthcare.gov
Correct answer: Direct mail and in-person community events
Older adults are more reliably reached through direct mail and trusted in-person settings than digital-first channels.
Question 7: A state-based exchange wants to engage employer stakeholders before open enrollment. Which strategy best builds long-term relationships?
- Hosting employer roundtables and providing HR toolkits before open enrollment begins (Correct answer)
- Sending a single bulk email one week before enrollment opens
- Posting information only on the exchange website and waiting for employers to find it
- Requiring employers to attend mandatory government webinars
Correct answer: Hosting employer roundtables and providing HR toolkits before open enrollment begins
Proactive engagement through roundtables and HR toolkits builds trust and ensures employers have time to prepare.
ACA Communication & Stakeholder Engagement 2
Which federal agency is primarily responsible for overseeing ACA communications to the public through Healthcare.gov?