Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) allows agents to complete the full Marketplace enrollment process directly on HealthSherpa.

In this article we’ll cover:

Enabling EDE is not required for HealthSherpa Enrollee Assistance Full-Service account types.

Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) basics

Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) is a CMS-approved technology that creates a secure backend connection to the Marketplace.

HealthSherpa was the first platform to partner with CMS to offer EDE for agents.

With HealthSherpa’s free EDE integration, agents can complete Marketplace actions without leaving HealthSherpa.

Benefits of HealthSherpa's EDE

HealthSherpa provides leading-edge technology through its EDE experience.

With EDE enabled, agents can complete many Marketplace actions directly on HealthSherpa, including:

Get quotes and shop for plans
Complete and edit subsidy applications using a faster experience
Retrieve updated eligibility results
Submit enrollments and renewals
Identify and manage follow-ups in real time
Upload required documents
View current application statuses
Make binder payments
Report Life Changes
View and download Marketplace documents, including:
- Eligibility determination notices
- 1095-A tax forms
- Insufficient documentation notices
Use reporting tools
Improve effectuation rate using post-enrollment tools

To access all EDE features, agents must complete the free EDE approval process.

Getting EDE approved

To enable HealthSherpa’s free EDE, agents must complete the steps below to get approved.

Step 1: Integrate your FFM account

Integrate the CMS Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) account with the HealthSherpa account. EDE is not available until FFM integration is complete.

Step 2: Select the Enable EDE button

Select the Enable EDE button at the top of the HealthSherpa dashboard to initiate identity verification.

Step 3: Verify your identity

CMS requires agents to verify their identity when using EDE. Complete the required fields, then select Submit to proceed.

Agents who are not FFM certified but are certified to sell coverage through a supported State-based Marketplace (SBM), such as Georgia, should contact Agent Support to manually complete this step.

Step 4: Arrive at your dashboard

Once your identity has been verified, the HealthSherpa dashboard will load and the Enable EDE button will no longer appear.

EDE enrollment experience

Once EDE is enabled, agents can assist consumers with enrollments using HealthSherpa. With consumer consent, agents can start with the subsidy application or start with plan shopping.

Applying

Agents can search & claim an existing subsidy application or create a new application when no results are found.

HealthSherpa allows agents to complete the full subsidy application using EDE without the consumer logging in to HealthCare.gov. HealthSherpa then syncs with the Marketplace to retrieve final eligibility results.

Shopping

To see available plans and prices, agents can quote and compare plans. Plan results can be filtered to find a plan that meets the consumer’s needs.

Once the subsidy application is submitted and a plan is confirmed, enrollment submission is complete.

After submission, agents should focus on policy effectuation. HealthSherpa offers post-enrollment tools to support effectuation. Recorded webinars are available for additional training.

Frequently asked questions

What if the Enable EDE button reappears at a later date?

Agents should complete the EDE approval steps again if the Enable EDE button reappears at a later date.

The Enable EDE button can reappear when EDE access is interrupted, such as when FFM integration is not active, CMS credentials have expired or changed, FFM certification is no longer active, or Marketplace permissions have expired or were removed.

Can EDE be used to update an application?

Yes, agents can use EDE to report changes to Marketplace applications. EDE supports updates to consumer information, such as name, date of birth (DOB), or Social Security number (SSN). EDE also supports subsidy application updates, such as household or income changes.

Can agents redirect to HealthCare.gov from HealthSherpa?

No. As of November 1, 2025, agents are no longer able to redirect to HealthCare.gov from HealthSherpa. This change, also known as Double Redirect (DRD), is a requirement from CMS, and all Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) partners must comply. CMS is prioritizing investment in EDE, which offers better technology, program integrity, and ongoing improvements not available in the Double Redirect pathway.

Additional resources

For help using HealthSherpa or for other assistance, contact Agent Support. Agent Support is available by phone at (888) 684-1373, by email at Agent_Support@HealthSherpa.com, or by chat directly from your account.

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